HAMILTON'S

Otago Daily Times, Issue 705, 22 March 1864, Page 5

HAMILTON'S

s Theatre last evening, and was nicely played by Miss Julia Mathews, Mr J. Dunn, and Mr J. M. Wolfe. Was Miss Mathews's dressing in good taste ? We have more than a suspicion that it wat not. Tom Taylor's drama, " The Ticket-of-Leave Man," was re-produced very successfully. The Belle Vue Gardens scene was put upon the stage most effective'y, and the great scene in the last act was capitally managed. We need not say much as to the acting, the cast last evening being essentially the same as when the piece

(from our own correspondent.)

16th March, 18G4,

The visit of his Honor the Superintendent to this, the latest discovered, gold field, has created quite a sensation among its inhabitants, ar.d inspired them with increased confidence in the future prospects of the town and district, now they find that the Government are alive to its importance. His Honor evidently ca'cuiated the place at its true worth when lie sagaciously remavkeJ that many more discoveries of fqual value will be made in this vicinity, and that instead of the gold fields of Otago being on the wane, many years of prosperity are open beftre them. The new rushes at the Nine Mile, the Serpentine and the Sowburn, fully justify his assertion that gold will yet be found in one continuous line from Tuapeka to the West Taieri. That consummation evidently will soon he reached; all the late rushes are tending that way. The Lainmerrnoor ranges are being busily prospected, and in many cises with great success, and 1 do not think you can travel an interval of ten miles without finding some party or another extracting gold from the soil. The Nine Mile Hush is poing ahead famously, the population hying doubled itself during the last fortnight; it now numbers s.fc hundred, with every prospect of a considerable increase on that. The Gigging at the S-rpentine are also increasing in extent, as well as those at the Dunsfm Creek and Blackstcne Hill; all of which, including those of Mount Ida, mo3tly draw their supplies from this township, and find that, next to Dv: edin, it is by far the chearesb market, and considering the ease with which it can be reached there can possibly be no doubt of its perm anerce. A rr.au named James Bennett, who holds a share in a good claim, mysteriously disappeared on Thursday last. It appears he had been for some time drinking, and suffering from delirium tremens, but closely watched by his mates. On the Wednesday, fiuding him much better, they thought a little change and amusement would do him good, and brought him into the township. During the evening they took him to the Onion Concert Hail, but while the performance was going ou he managed to elude their vigilance, and slipped out, but did not return. A short search wa3 made, and it was discovered the next morning that he had spent the night at the Provincial Hotel, the landlord of which said that about between one and two o'clock the following morning he got up and went out, leaving under the impression that he was going to be murdered by some Irishmen, since which he has never been seen or heard of. On Sunday last, Mr Hislop, the manager of the Mocster Heuse Drapery Establishment, got together no less thantwenty-fhree horsemen, and i diligently searched the ranges the whole day, re- ! turning late in the evening, some of them even remaining out til Monday, but without the slightest avail. Detective Bird has also made a strict search, and a mounted constable is at the present moment engaged endeavouring, if possible, to discover the missing man. This is the second that is supposed to be lost in these ranges since the opening of Hamilton's. The other unfortunate was a man named Bruce, who suddenly disappeared, but under what precise circumstances I cannot learn.

On Monday evening, the townspeople entertained his Honor the Superintendent at dinner at the Prince of Wales Hotel. Some- fifty gentlemen sat down to a magnificent repast, which reflected great credit upon mine host Allen, and Mr Simmons, his cb£f de cuisine. The room was very tastefully decorated with flags and various devices, interwoven with shrubs procured from the ranges, which blended harmoniously with the bright colors of the decorations and the glitter of .the well laid out table, producing a really splendid effect. Captain Hamilton occupied the chair, supported oa ht3 right by the guest of the evening, on the left by Mr Warden Broad. Among the company present, were St. John Brannigan, Esq., Commissioner of Police, and Mr Warden flardcaatle, The vice-chair was occupied by Mr Robert Nash, assisted by Mr Young. After the company had done ample justice to the numerous viands, the Chairman proposed in appropriate language, the healths of the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family—which were drank with the usual loyal accompaniments. He then proposed the health of John Hyde Harris, Esq, Superintendent of Otago—drunk with immense enthusiasm and musical honors.

His Honor, in reply, said—Mr Chairman and gentlemen, I have to thank you very kindly for the very handsome manner in which you have received me here this evening, and for the honor you have done ma. It affords me the greatest pleasure to meet you, and I assure you that I take the deepest interest in developing the mineral resources of this province, I wished to have seen you before on my former visit to the gold fields, but when on the imnstan through unavoidable circumstances I was compelled to alter my route and return to town by another way ; but I am not sorry that it did happen so, as I should not have Jbeen enabled to witness what I now see, as at that time this gold field was not nearly so much developed. During the past six weeks this place has sent down to Dunedin no less than L 50,000 of gold, and taking into consideration the Nine-mile and other rushes it shows that an enormous amount of auriferous ground is here in existence, and that numerous valuable discoveries will yet be made. There is to all appearance? one continuous gold field from the Hogburn to West Taieri. Ido not believe in the waning of the Otago diggings, but believe they will yet reach from Tuapekato the Dunstau and from thence to thi* place. I have no doubt but that great hardships will have to be encountered by the miners in the winter months; there may be many difficulties to get over, hut I have no fear for the gold-fields of Otago, and consider their prospects as bright as ever. The prosperity of the Province now depends very much upon the success of the gold fields, and any stoppage in their productiveness would ioflict great evil upon us. At the first discovery of gold we had a small population ; at t\e same time it was also a progressing Province; its export trade in wool and other produce was an increasing one, and provided employment for the then population ; since which the number of its inhabitants has greatly increased, and their welfare depends very much upon the prosperity of the gold fields, as a large number of them now depend upon their supply as a means of gaining a living. I nave to congratulate you upon the good order that has always been maintained by the inhabitants of the gold fields, and it will always be my duty so long as I am in office, as well as that of the Government, to do our best lo forward your interests. But you mu3t make some allowance for our shortcomings, you must also be aware that roads cannot be constructed in a day, or bridges either, and that mails cannot be made to anew rush till such time as it has been ascertained to be of a permanent character. We will promise to act up to the best means ab our disposal, and individually, so long as I have the power I will do my utmost for all concerned. (Immense applause.) Mr Nash proposed the '* Executive and Provincial Council, and dwelt at come length upon the progress made in the construction of roads and bridges since the gold discoveries. He considered the Government here had done far in excess of what the Government of Victoria had done in the same short space of time.

His Honor, in reply to this toast said: Being to some extent a member of the Council here, 1 am aware that in what they have done money has oftentimes been wasted and not expended advantageously, and that many works that had been undertaken had not been carried through, or had to be done over and over again, and that had the money not been thus foolishly spent it might have beeu uieiul in making roads to other

places. The quesfion of increase of members was under the consideration of the Council, but tho numbers of representatives would be determined by the Assembly. The Province is much pinched for want of funds, for what belongs to it has to be spent elsewhere. During the last financial year ie produced to the general revenue 1280 000, and this year's estimate is 1-275,000. Now if this sum, instead of leaving the Province, was at our disposal here, how mu:.h more could be o'one in the formation of roads anil bridges, and in the advancement of the interests of the inhabitants of the interior, had we only the laying out of our own revenue. 1 wish that some of the members of eitha* house had been present, as they would have been more ahle to explain the disadvantages under which you labour more fully. Great applause. JMr Breinner next roe, and proposed the health of '' 7 he Warden and Police Magistrate.' He said that in nil his experience on the gold fields he hat not met anyone who had made him self so popular with the people as our respected Warden, Mr Clias. Broad ; and his dcc;sions had always been fair as between man and man, and bis administration of justice had raised him to that height of estimation in which he was now held by everyone in the pace. Drank with much applause. Mr Broad, in reply, said, it afiords me' much satisfaction to Imtw that I am seconded by the inhabitants in doing my du'y, and can assure you I have done so without either fear or favor, and am exceedingly n joicid to find that my exsrtioaa are appreciated, and consider that, the countr/ is most lr.ppy when iti chief ruler takes a personal inteiest in its welfare. Mr llossitor proposed, " Trade and Commerce." Responded to by Mr Yrung. Mr Hardcastle proposed '\Tli3 Mining tnterest." " Responded to by Mr Tonkin, a miner, who said that the Mining Interest was an advantage to the Province, and wr.a at to present time its main prop. He considered that the official business was carried on in a manner which gave the greatest satisfaction to the diggers. Had no doubt but that mo eof the miners would h»ve attended at the dinner, but they stopped away from t>ashfulness, not bavina: the proper habiliments t) make a decent appearance in, on account o! their having so recently shifted h re. Mr Nash proposed " "ur guests, coupled with the name of Mr tit. John I3rnnnigan," to which toast that gentlemen ri plied.

Mr Nash next proposed 'Mr Warden Hardcastle," and dwelt at considerable length upon the unfortunate aud diflioult position held by that gentleman, whose gold field, over which he had charge, was decidedly none of the richest.

Mr Hardcastle, in reply, s.dd that the productiveness of the Hogburn was no fault oi his, but it would nevertheless be found that it was one which would endure for a very lengthened period, and afford good wages to a grei.t many. It was now lookiug better than ever, and their the next escort would be a large increase upon the last. Drank with much applause.

His Honor next rose and Raid that it was rather ont of order to propesj a toast after that of the ladies had been drunk ; but as a guest, he thought he l.ad a right, and would depart from established rule, and the name of the gentleman, he was sure would be a sufficient apology. He would propose tho health ot'a gentleman they all knew so welJ, that of Captain Hamilton. (Immense applause.) Hi (His Honor) hid known him for seme years as an old resident in this Province, he haa been acquainted with this country much longer than the most of you, and as 'essee of the run upon which this goldfield is situate, I am sure you will pin me heartily ia drinkiug his health. He then proposed the health of the Chairman, Captain Hamilton —Drunk with great enthusiasm.

Capt. Hamilton, in reply, said he felt very much gratified for the kind manner in which they had drunk his health. He had a duty to perform, and he had done so to the best of his ability; their success gave him tbe greatest pleasure, and that anything he could do to advance their interests, it would be his greatest pleasure to do so. (Applause.) Mr. Broad next proposed " the healths of the Vice-Chairmen," replied to by Messrs. Nash and Young. The National Anthem was then sung, and His Honor and suite took their departure shortly after ten o'clock.

On Tuesday, Hl3 Honor visited the Hogburn,