THE DUNSTAN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 290, 24 November 1862, Page 6

THE DUNSTAN.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Hartley Township, 17th Nov., 1862. 6 p.m.

Rowley left here early this morning express to Dunedin, and ■will convey important news. The time that has intervened beieg only a few hours, the short period available for writing must prove the excuse for the shortness of tliis communication.

In mining matters that lively feeling exists as before mentioned, and several fresh applications for prospecting claims have been made. The Commissioner having no control beyond the boundaries laid down, confusion is increasing. Though this gentleman has probably exceeded his instructions, and gone beyond the limits of his district (as proclaimed) in endeavoring to give a tone of feeling that (he law could reach those who consider might the best right. [Still a constantly increasing knowledge of the small powers possessed by the Commissioner, beyond a certain limit, is causing jumping disputes to become more abundant. The experience of a few days has already confirmed the impressions at first formed, that the Government must change their action in the proclamation of gold fields. '1 he tendency to split them up into so" many district will Le productive of no good results, and practically lead to the utmost confusion and discontent. For instance, numerous nppiicutionsof one kind or another are pouring in, and the refusal of the Commissioner hereto take any action upon than is leading to these very n suits. The miners—as a bod}- —cannot understand the change, and why they should have to find out the uncertain whereabouts of the new Commissioner's residence for the Mount Benger district.

A part}', during the proceedings of the Police Court, applied for the protection of the Warden against a strong body of jumpers but were referred to the Warden of this newly proclaimed gold field. No information about his position can be found out here, though the Teviot is suggested as the most likely one to find tliia doubtful personage at. What i 9 required is that this gold field should be kept as intact as possible, and that instead of half a dozen different districts being proclaimed within its own natural boundaries, one chief central field should have been established. At present its boundaries are so circumscribed, that the Dunstan proper is really one of the smal est proclaimed geld fields of the province, instead of being the largest. It is with regret that these remarks are made, but the most cursory examination on the part of the Government would at once establish their justice. Tuapeka, Waitahuna, Wetherstone's, and Waipori, are very differently situated. The outlying districts on each side of this great river, and the constant discovery of the auriferous nature of its tributaries, all point to the fact that the entire length of the Molyneux from some distance above the Tuapeka, or at least from the Teviot, to above the Kawarau and its gullies and tributaries, should be considered as one single field. A/iy other action will only complicate difficulties and mar the greatness of Otago's most valuable iield. In the Dunstan, as it should be bounded, she may glory in the magnificence of a gold field that the world has not yet matched; but, merged into the outlines of a number of smaller fields, its strength and resources can never be either understood or realized. Whatever action may be pursued, it cannot affect materially the position of this immediate part of the district; but it will undoubtedly detract from the interests of the Province at large, when viewed from a dis-

tance

Coming down to details, nothing very extraordinary has turned up to-day; but several applications for prospecting claims adjacent to Potter's Gully, Conroy's, the Ernscleugh, and below the Manuherekia, have been made. As their merits have not been examined into, and as there are none of them as rich as usual, I hold over further particulars till my next, which it is probable will reach Dunedin as soon as this. The best is thirty-one pennyweights to the dish in Conroy's Gully. The ground was opened on the 15 th, and is an outside claim.

A considerable quantity of gold was sold in the Manuherikia township during Saturday and yesterday. The same sanguine feeling already spoken about is prevalent there. It will eventually prove a great centre for the lower portions of the Molyneux district, when this gold field gets into fair play, and the outlying districts receive a proper trial. The Manuherikia Valley and its numerous dependencies are at present almost ignored, but nothing can hinder their future development. The various localities around this part of the Dimstan gold field will afford room for an unlimited population, when the circumstances of the case alter, and when men will more steadily pursue the path to independence in a regular course. The township will, with the advancement of the district, progress, but with all the exertions made in its favor, can never prove the main centre. It is too low down, and the difficulties of packing from it to a great many of the outlying districts, entails extra labor.

The gold receiver, has been busily employed to-day, and has issued no less than one'hundred and thirty-four Miner's Rights, and forty-five Business Licenses. These facts of themselves.bear put the assertions I have made, regarding the progress and the confidence telt in this gold field. Two hundred and sixty-four ounces were also deposited to-day, by miners, and the lowest amount given is twelve ounces. These were the results of a few hours, viz., —from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and when it is taken into consideration that the office is simply a calico tent of 8 x 10, and that no one can transact business unless he stands outside, no further comment on the part of your correspondent is required, as these figures will tell their own tale of the substantial prosperity existing. The jumping of allotments, fronting the main street, is increasing to a fearful extent, and giving the Commissioner increased employment. Many miners mark out allotments of thirty to forty feet beyond the extent their tent occupies. The fact of business licenses not being available beyond the district they are issued in, has also tended to increase the number of these cases. The laying out of a township, will do much to put matters upon a pleasanter and sounder footing, and the Government cannot take action sufficiently soon, as a township •will always be required in this spot. The main street is even now half a-mile long, and attempts are being made to-day to form another parallel street. Gambling and fighting are becoming prevalent, but with increased facilities the police could soon put it down. The storekeepers have agreed to appoint amongst themselves a private watchman as a further security. His emoluments from the subscriptions -will exceed ten pounds per week, but his duties will be chiefly confined to the back part of the premises1. Two policeman patrol the street constantly at night. .: Gold is coming in freely, and the escort is not likely to be less than the last, even allowing for the rushing about, and the excited condition of the population regarding the new rushes.

In the Police Court here Mr Keddell has as yet only sat upon the Bench in an unofficial capacity, not yet having been sworn in as a magistrate, though proclaimed a Judge of the Warden's Court. A resident magistrate is urgently required, and but for the presence of Mr Murison upon this gold field for the last few days, great inconvenience would have been experienced by both the Commissioner and the Police in carrying out their several duties. This gentleman has shown that he does not consider the title of a J.P. a merely honorary distinction ; and by remaining here, purely for the dispatch of public business, has set an excellent example to his brother magistrate?. °

It is a matter of urgent necessity that Mr Keddell should as quickly as possible be placed in the Commission. Thoroughly acquainted with the routine of police courts, this officer cap only sit upon the Bench of his own district, to take down depositions and act as an advising counsel to any magistrate who can be persuaded to put himself to the inconvenience of a residence here, and the disagreeableness of a sitting for hours, in a hot, close, dirty tent, liable at any moment to give way or be blown down.

It is astonishing the police have managed to get through their duties. Many very bad characters are now in the district, and though they could be arrested upon minor charges, the lock-up is so small that they are obliged to be left alone. The dust in the Coui't to-day was very great, and such as almost to prevent the depositions being taken. Magistrates, prisoners, and spectators alike suffered from it, and the table and papers were thickly covered with it.

Considerable inconvenience and delay arose through the absence of witnesses from a distance, and it was with great difficulty that a qualified doctor could be found to examine the condition of a lunatic. The answer to the several apj)lications being " too busy," but the real reason was the doubt about the fee, and the unpleasantness attending a visit to the lock-up and Court.

Sergeant-major Bracken prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.

James M'Geven and Charles M'Laughlan were charged with stealing a cradle from one George North, and a shovel and tin dish from Petter Gessen, on the morning of the 13th. All the parties lived in the neighborhood of Manuherikia, Junction Township, and the prosecutors had in each case left the stolen articles just outside their tents on the previous night. Charles Gale, living on the opposite side of the river, had early on the morning of the 13th, his attention attracted to the proceedings of the prisoners, and carefully watched their actions. He observed the two men to first go to the tent of Gessen, and take away a tin dish, and shortly after one of them returned and took the shovel. They then went to a store, but the witness could not see what they did. He observed them to return emptyhanded, but on the way back pay a visit to the tent of Kogers, and made free with the cradle in question. It was now getting light, and people were beginning to get up and prepare their breakfasts. Adam Spence, police constable, on receiving this information, promptly proceeded to arrest the prisoners, who, in defence for such a strange line of conduct, remarked " that they thought it was no reason to take the look of things." They likewise, with the same assurance charged Gale with a desire to become possessed of their " valuable fly and old clothes " the only property they had when arrested. Both were committed for trial to Dunedin upon the separate charges, and the witnesses bound over.

The conduct of Gale is deserving of considerable praise—as the prosecution of such characters entails, in these stirring times, losses and inconvenience. If his example were more generally followed, great benefits would at times arise, for the greatest difficulty the police have to encounter, is the absence of willing witnesses. At one o'clock the court adjourned through the absence of witnesses though the charge sheet is a serious and heavy one for so new a place. On resuming, the same difficulty was experienced. John Thomas Petherick, charged as a lunatic, was discharged on the certificate of Dr Lang, though from all appearance far from convalescent. Dr. Lang could only report a slight improvement; but it was a merciful proceeding to give him in charge of his friends, as a further confinement in such a den would very likely lead to confirmed madness.

Thomas Brady, alias Jack the Dog, for robbing Charles Spiers of bank notes to the value of one hundred pounds, and the receipt of ahorse, was remanded till to-morrow. The prosecutor, who lives at Potter's Gully, twenty-three miles distant, not having arrived. The other cases were postponed for similar reasons.

In closing another report, I have to express the regret I again feel at being unable to commence a full and particular description of each of the places included in this district, but hope shortly to enter upon this task.