THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out faciam." DUNEDIN, MONDAY, JULY 24.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1120, 24 July 1865, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam out faciam." DUNEDIN, MONDAY, JULY 24.

The intelligence from the West Coast proves, beyond doubt, that the newly discovered gold fields there are destined to be both permanent uud remunerative. Comparatively near at hand as they are, it is scarcely possible to conceive fields more difficult to work, and the very fact that they are in process of development, shows that the prospects they hold out are more than ordinarily good. The rapidity with which the West Coast is becoming peopled, is another instance of that marvellous colonising power which follows in the wake of gold discoveries. Dangerous of access, and surrounded with natural obstacles, the West Coast of New Zealand might almost have been thought secure from invasion, no matter what auriferous allurements it held forth. But the thirst for gold has conquered; before it difficulties have melted away or have been calmly endured, and the reward that might have been expected begins to show itself. Human energy and human power will subordinate to their influence those natural features which seemed at the first to oppose them. In flue, the West Coast will be made habitable. The settlers will either conquer the obstacles or accustom themselves to. them. More or less, it is always the case, that the difficulties ot a new gold field are exaggerated. Many of our readers must recollect, when the Dunstan was discovered, how many doubt* were expressed as to its success. After Hartley and Reilly first made its existence known, three weeks were pronounced a short time to expect to obtain particulars about it; and those who professed to be well informed did not hesitate to declare that at the least it would be only accessible for a portion of the year. Yet, what is the case ? Winter or summer a passenger may get on the coach in Dunediu one day, and make the acquaintance of the Dunstan the next ; and all the year round goods mr.y be forwarded to this impregnable field at a less cost than used to be involved in sending them to Tuapeka. The whisper of the Like discoveries came to Dunedin as the distant echo from a far off interior. A fcarlul journey was said to separate it from the Dunstan. Nature, in this in ■ stance at least, it was maintained, had well guarded her treasures. But it is some time since a visit to the Lake district was thought to be an extraordinary adventure; the person who lias performed it is no longer regarded as a hero; and very shortly we are promised an easy road the whole way, accessible to'coaches and drays. It is just the same process of reducing difficulties that is now going on at the West Coast. The risks and hazards of landing, with their concomitant enormous expenses; the swamps, the mountain torrents, the so-called impenetrable bush, are partly endured, partly cured, and wholly do not deter the mining adventurers. The greater the obstacles, the greater the energy brought to surmount them. If the cost of freight to the port is ten pounds a ton, then the earnings must be larger to meet it. If the gold is more jealously concealed, then it must be found in greater quantity to repay the searcher. The one thing determined on is that Man shall be the conqueror, and that Nature shall succumb. Looked at in the aggregate, and all local impressions forgotten, it cannot be denied that the pioneers of the West Coast fields are engaged in a great work, a work that will leave its impress behind. It FREEHOLD PROPERTY,

will be told of them in the far off future that they redeemed for the use of man ; nobly rich territory, in the face of m slight difficulties. From them will spring a hardy and vigorous race of settlers; anc in the days to come, less will be thought oi the great cities that may spring up or this hitherto much dreaded West Coast, than of the commencement made by these same Pioneers. All honor to them, and al honor to the Canterbury Governtneni which has so vigorously aided them. Il has often been asserted there was a little of the fable of the sour grapes in the dread expressed by our neighbors of the invasion of a gold mining population. The result has proved this to be the case. The people of Canterbury have rapidly forgotten their haw-haw professions, and openly welcomed the population that brings them the means of wealth and prosperity. The Government have neglected nothing that could be done to aid the miners. In fact, to the extraordinary exertions made by the authorities, is due much of the comparative relief from hard - •ship the miners have enjoyed. With a steam-tug toovercome the difficulties of the Bar, with all the machinery of Government provided, and with a not altogether inaccessible overland route, already we see vast results from the energy which shortly will complete the work of including the West Coast Gold-fields in the settled districts of the Middle island of Xew Zf aland. We desire to make no invidious reflection, nor any appeal to the political sympathies of cur readers, when we Hay that the Otngo Government may widely follow an example set them by that of Canterbury. We freely grant that they have hitherto not had forced on them the imperative necessity for action that was forced on their neighbors ; and we will even pay, apparently they have not had the same inducements. But supincness any longer would be worse than folly; it would be a palpable neglect of an obvious resource placed at their command. We took occasion some time ago to point out that between Lake Wanaka and Ilokkika, there existed an immense tract of country that offered fully as much inducement to the gold miner as the land that was being worked near the coast. We pointed out, moreover, that Dr Ilaast had found a route by which there would be no difficulty in making the West Coast Dorado, and in the course of doing which the prospecting the auriferous country referred to would infallably be brought about. Iv obedience to the suggestion we made, a Surveyor was despatched by the Government. Unfortunately he failed in finding the route. It is justice to him to say that it was not his fault. He wa? misled by the mark, " old Maori track," which Drllaast had left on his map. We suppose the object of leaving this indication on the new map as it was on the old, was to show that Dr. Haast had not used it, and that he had found out a route of his own. Be this as it may, it misled the Otago Surveyor, and after vainly trying the so-called Maori Pass, he returned. J3nt an accouat was shortly afterwards published iv this journal, in which the proper route was pointed out. We do not know whether further attempts have been made to find it, and we do not wish to impute blame supposing it to have been overlooked. But we do assert most strongly that in the interest of the whole community, in the face of the continued good news from the West Coast, not a moment's further unnecessary delay"should be permitted. The Otago Government may, if they choose, open up a practicable route between the Otago aul Canterbury Gild Fields, available for commercial purposes; and, in doin£ bo, they will lay a sure foundation for the discovery of fresh fields in the district through which the track passes, or which it skirts. It need scarcely be said that they might count on the aid of the Canterbury Government. Nothing would suit the Canterbury people better than the t jxtension of their gold fields to the South, f instead of as at present to the North, into a neighboring Province. The c Dunedin Government might count on :he aid of the Government of Canterbury, and in a few months with a j lisplay of the same energy that has f jpened up a road between Christchurch i md Hokitika, there is no reason why a \ joach should not run from the Wanaka t :o the West Coast. We have no doubt t ;here are many people who will sneer at 8 such a possibility, just as they did at the a possibility of a coach runuing between j J3unedin and the Dunstan all the year round. But we have only to revert to . ictual experience to prove that the difficulties connected with routes to , aewly opened Gold Fields, have always < aeen found to yield to a deter- t nined effort to surmount them, t rhe opening of a road between Otago and t Hokitika would, at the present moment, t inspire as much confidence and as much t rejoicing amongst the inhabitants of Otago,* < is a new gold discovery in their midst. s [t need scarcely be added that such a road * would also largely benefit the Province of ' Southland. It is not out of place to point ' out at the same time that the valuable , discoveries made by Dr. Hector on the '. West Coast should no longer be overLooked. There is no question a road could be made from Wakatip to the Coast, and * IN THE UPPER

an eminently suitable place be found for a settlement. Even if gold be not found near the Otago West Coast, there are undoubtedly other minerals and other elements of prosperity, which would afford the materials lor successful colonisation.

It will be seen that the next Assembly Ball will take place on Friday next, the 28th inst. Tickets will be issued by the Secretary, at St. George's Hall, between the hours of three and five on Wednesday and Thursday. By the May mail we learn that tenders for the balance (L 127.500) of tho Queensland Government six per cent, debentures lately offered, were opened on Wednesday (3rd May), at the Union J3ank of Australia, when it was announced that the whole amount had been subscribed for at prices ranging from LlO2 lls to LIO3 Us per cent, or above tbo t>fuci".l minimum. Mr Jones, of the Golden Age Hotel, informs us that yesterday morning about two o'clock, he was roused by the constable on the beat, who found the bar door broken open, and on examination of his stock Mr Jones found missing 9 bottles of brandy and 3 of old torn, together with some tobacco. On next Monday a new season will be commenced at the Princess Theatre ; and from the promises set forth by the lessees, Messrs Mumford and Donne, we anticipate that it will prove satisfactory to themselves and to tho public. The Theatre will ba closed dining the whole of this week to enable the lasers to make some necessary ard important improvements in its internal arrangement, It Ls to be thoroughly cleaned, better lighted. and every tiFort is to be made to study the comfort of the visitors. Special uttentiou is also to be devoted to the scenery and to what is technically known as the " dressing" o£ the stage, two mrifters wiiich have of late been much neglected by tho past management. The announcement that Miss Julia Mathews is to re-appear is of itself almost sufficient to ensure success, and the theatrical public will lmil with pleasure the return of this talented young lady to the stage. The names of many good and favorite actors and actressci aro mentioned as being engaged to support her; and Mons. Fleury, who has during the Inst few months been leading the orchestra of the Lyster Opera troupe, is again to take the leadership ot' tho Princess band. Ono of the principal features of the eusuing season will be the production of burlesque, a style of entertainment which has always been highlypopular in Dunedin.-- Altogether the proraises made by tho new management are sufficient, if fulfilled, to ensure a brilliant and successful season. We extract the following from the " Wakatip Mail" of Wednesday:—'• Mr David Jones, auctioneer, of the Dunstan, has submitted to the hammer since our last issue, several freehold properties in Queenstown. The butchers' shops and premises in Ballarat street, which cost a few hundred pounds in their erection, sold, together with the freehold, for the sum of LSO. The allotment fenced in, with n. twelve stalled stable and detached cottage erected thereon, in Church street, realised only L 34. The Commercial Auction Rooms and freehold, which wo hear were valued at LSOO in the assets of the Estate, brought only L7l. The stock-in-trade commanded fair prices. Mr Jones used every exertion to secure good prices, and sustained his roputation as an able auctioneer ; but the results are anything bat satisfactory, and can only be accounted for on the grounds of scarcity of money and the prevailing dulness in mid-winter." The corner-stone of the easterly wing of the building for the Otago Benevolent Institution wa3 laid on Saturday afternoon, at Civersham, by his Honor Mr Justice Richmond. The wing will cost over L2OOO ; and it is to be completed by the Ist November next. By the Rangatira, which arrived yesterday, Northern papers are to hand—from Auckland to the 13th, Wellington to the 18th, and Canterbury to the 21st instant. The news is not important. On Saturday evening, Mr Dick, as candidate for the Superintendency, addressed a numerously attended meeting held in the Royal Hotel Assembly Rooms, Port Chalmers, at which Mr Thos. Tayler presided. In the course of his address, which was listened to with much attention, and frequently applauded, Mr Diclc alluded to the circurnstauces which had led to his coming forward is a candidate, to the experience which he bad acquired in - various public capacities Juring his residence in Otago, and to the course of conduct which he had adopted in ihese different capacities, and intended to idopt in the new capacity of Superintendent, if the electors of the Province chose to confer upon him the honor and the responsibi.ities of that office. He concluded that the unfavorable allusions which had been made to Dim freely and frequently by the press were mgrounded, so far as he was concerned perlonally, and had been induced more by the iltered circumstance of Mie Province than yy any fault in the conduct of those who had aeen members of tha Government. The sublic outcry, during the earlier day of gold Siscovery, throughout the province, had been ill for improvements and governmental expenditure ; the existing government had partially yielded to this outcry ; and now that the circumstances of the Province were on the surface comparatively altered, a section of the commuuity attributed present depression md pecuniary difficulties solely and entirely to the government of the time—attributing extravagance and rashness to those who were at first blamed for slowness and a niggardly encouragement of provincial resources. He complained of this as an unjust expression of opinion; but the time was coming, and not far distant, when a more generous aiti'j more hopeful view of things would be taken—when the mineral, agricultural, and pastoral resources of the country would btj developed to an extent which would justify all or even more than had yet been done to KAIKORAI DISTRICT,

foster them. He believed that one essential work yet to be undertaken was a patent slip at Port Chalmers; and he promised his encouragement of such a project. He concluded with some nautical allusions, which evoked

applause, expressing the hope that, as mat< of the ship in the past, he would be considered not the most inappropriate selection as hei captain in the future. At the conclusion ol his address, several questions were pat to Mr Dick by electors and others, to which he gave what appeared to be satisfactory-replies. They related to the hulk Thomas and Henry, patent slips, water companies, wharf dues, railways, local improvements, the pro. incial form of government, and Separation. There was a good-natured interchange of question and answer on the different subjects; and at its termination, Mr Murray, carpenter, seconded by Mr J. B. Robertson, proposed what . was unanimously and vociferous ly carried—that Mr Thomas Dick was a fit and proper person to be Superintendent of the Province of Otago. A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close; and at a late hour Mr Dick and a number of Dunedin friends who were present, proceeded to the city by the steamer Peninsula, which had been held in readiness for the purpose, A local committee, favorable to Mr Dick, has been formed in the Port, and i 3 now at work. There is also a committee of electors favorable to Mr M'Glaslrui, and that gentleman promises during the week to address the Port Chalmers portion of the constituency at Dodson's Provincial Hotel. At the llesidunl. Magistrate's Court on Saturday, Samuel M'Laim was charged with haviug bean drunk. He admitted the oircnce, but pleaded that if he were sent to jail, as he could not pay the fine, ho would loso his situation. lie was discharged with a fruition. Hobert Johnston, James Hall, and Kobert Strahan, were charged with driving drays in Princes street without having the owner's name painted in a legible manner thereon. The defence was, that the carts belonged to Messrs Lonnie and Co., who, iv carrying out their contract for the Harbor Keclamuion Works, had been requested by the Government that' morning to remove their operations from Bell Hill to Princes street south. A person had been ordered to paint the name on the carts, but he had neglected to do it until the following day. A tine af 2s Gd and costs was imposed iv the thre'i cases I conjointly. Kobert Smuil, for a similar offence, was fined 2s 6d and costs. Edward M'Kellarwas charged with driving four horses over the footpath in Princes street south, and was fined 10s and costs. David Andrew was charged with causing a number of drays to be driven over the footpath in Princes street south. For the defence, it was urged that these drays were employed i.-i the Harbor Reclamation Works, which could not be proceeded with unless the drays croHsed the footpath ; and that the footpath was a portion of the Harbor Reclamation ; and as it had not yet been handed over by the Government to the town, it did not come under the operation of the Act. The Magistrate held that the footpath was in the city, and did curae within the meaning of the Town and Country Police Ordinance. No power could be given to the defendant to drive across it so long as it remained a footpath. The only way would be for the local authority to abolish this footpath, and that any person could drivo across it. There were extenuating circumstances in this case, for the contract works must be proceeded with, and he did not think the defendant was guilty of wilfully damaging the footpath. Fined 5s and costs.—Charles Lunn, for leading two horses over a footpath in Princes street south, was fined lOs and costs; and William Serymegour was fined in a similar amount for wheeling a hand cart on the footpath in George street. —John Lmcll was charged with neglecting to clean his premises in Maolaggan street. It was stated that this was a piece of enclosed vacant land, and that tho neighboring residents have been in the habic of throwing quantities of rubbi-A over the fence. The defendant w.h not aware tlmt a nuisance existed on his land until it was complained of by the Inspector. He was fined 28 6d and costs.—ln the case against George Campbell, for smuggling tobbaco at Port Chalmers, which we reported on Saturday, we gave the statement of Mr. Wilson, as in was made in Court, that he intended to appeal against the decision of the Mngi-str.itp, but we understand that the fine was paid very shortly after the conclusion of tho business. The final state of the poll, in the election of the first Mayor of Dnnedin, was declared at noon on Saturday, by Mr E. B. Cargill, tho Election Officer. The numbers declared were the same as were officially supplied and pnblished by us on Saturday ; Mr William Mason , haviDg 9? votes more than Mr James Paterson, who stood second on the list. It will be , seen from the report in another column, that ■ a protest against the election, on the ground of votes having been improperly received, was handed to Mr Cargill; and that that ' gentleman decided that he ciiild not take notice of it. Wo have not heard- w lether further action is contemplated ; and the Incorporation Ordinance is too misty on the point to allow an opinion to bo expressed what , action, if any,is possible under its provisions. , We understand that one ground of protest arises from the Presiding Officers in the dif- . ferent Wards not being instructed bow to act incases where votes were tendered by members of firms in cases in which, the name of the firm only appeared on the roll, and not the separate names of the members. Such votes were, we believe, received in one Ward ; but their reception was decided against by Mr Cargill, after taking a legal opinion so soon as the point was brought to his notice. The " Wakatip Mail" informs us that —" A fire that occurred at Maori Point on Friday evening, burnt down the branch Bank of New Zealand, Charleston. The damage was confined, it may be almost said, to tho destruction of the building used as an agency by ths Bank. The fire is presumed to have arisen from some sparks from the fire having AT THE ROOMS

1 been projected on to the matting of the Sub- ? -Agent's room. The Agent, Mr Rossj was - absent but a few minutes on the occasion, 1 and much sympathy is expressed on his 1 behalf at this untoward accident. Mr Good--3 win's store had a very narrow escape. The 1 cash and notes of the Bank were saved, and f business is resumed in the meantime at tha ' Conrt-house. A large portioD of Mr Gocd- > win's stock was rapidly removed outside for '■ safety. Suddenly the gable end ot the calico ■ tent tookfire, but fortunately it was quitecalm. > at the time, and as this part of the erection ■ was kept saturated with water it was saved from what would have inevitably been total ruin. The greatest praise is due to the inhabitants of the township, and several of the residents in the neighborhood, for tho promptitude and energy displayed by them in their endeavors to overcome vthis unfortunate con^*^fiagration. Mr Thomas Dick is to address the Caversham electors at the Schoolhouse. at halfpast seven. The first concert by friends of the Port Chalmers Naval Brigade band, was given on Friday evening, at the Royal Hotel Assembly Kooin. It was a great success. There was a large attendance, and the numerous items of the programme were thoroughly well performed. They consisted of overtures by the Band, and solos and duets by amateurs, who had evidently rehearsed well, and possessed the qualifications necessary for singing a food song, iv good tune, and with good time. Several ef the amateur performers, as well as the members of the Band, were warmly applauded and encored, and the concert, as a whole, v,-as received na an entertainment creditable to its promoters and highly satislactory to those of the public by whom ie was patronised. The " Marlborough Pi ess" f.v/s: —" A man known by the sobriquet of 'Portuguese Jou.* and party succeeded in capturing the first whale of the season. It is expected to turn, out about four tons of oil. It appears that the other parties hivl previously been fastened to the leviathan but were obliged to cut their holding." Mr John Crate, one of the candidates for South Ward, has announced a meeting of the electors, to be held at the imperial Hotel, this evening. Our correspondent informs us that at the dose of the meeting held at East Taieri, to dcvi.;e measures for the suppression of Incendiarism, the meeting was reconstituted for the purpose of considering which of tho two candidates in tne field should be supported by the district foi the Superintendence ; also, which of the two candidates should be supported lor the representation of the Bruce County in the General Assembly. Mr Culling was voted to the chair, and invited discussion. Mr Jas. Todd spoke at considerable length, showing a leaning towards Mr Dick. Several others spoke in the same strain. It was almost unanimously agreed " That Thos Dick is a fit and proper parson for the office,"' but opinions were freely expressed that both candidates should visit the district on as early a day as they could make it convenient. Mr Jas. Allan then proposed, " That John Cargill, Esq., is a fit and proper person to represent the County of Bruce at the General Assembly." The resolution, not finding a .seconder, Mr Jas. Todd proposed that the following gentlemen be appointed to act as a committee for the purpose of securing the return of Jas. Macandrew, Esq., to the General Assembly for the County of Bruce—viz. Messrs George Pram, Jos. Cullen, Jas. Aitktn, Thos. Culling, Jus. Christie, Jd,s. Todd, and Alex. M'Kay. This was carried with one dissentient voice, and the meeting; terminated. The poll for the representation of the Bruce district in the House of Assembly, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr E. B. Cargill, takes place on Wednesday. The polling places are, the Court Houses, Tokainuiriro, Dunedin, and Laurence, the Schcolhouscs at E:ist Taieri, Waihola, Inch Clutha, and Warepa; and Captain M'Kenzie's station at Pomabaka. The candidates arc Mr John Cargill and Mr Jauiesi Macandrew. Mr James Copeland has accepted an invitation to become a candidate ior the representation of Leith Ward in the City Council. The " Lyttolrou Times," of the 18th instant, says :—" Dr Haast returned from the West Const, by way of Nelson, in the Auckland, ou Sunday. Wo aro given to understand that he confirms tha general accounts given, not only of tha present richness, but also of the lasting character of tiie goldfield. lie has examined the country a long way to the southward of Hokitika as well as inland ; and the result of his investigations may be expected to appear in the form of a report at a convenient season. Dr Haast has brought with him also some very interesting sketches of the country, and specimens for the Museum, if there was one."