DUNSTAN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2055, 5 September 1868, Page 3

DUNSTAN.

(PROM OUR .OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Clyde, 31st August. The removal of Mr Warden Robinson to Mount Ida has created considerable dissatisfaction throughout the district, and petitions from. Clyde,.. Cromwell, Alexandra, and Blacks, numerously and influentially signed, have been forwarded to the Government praying that liis services may be retained. Mr Robinson has been so long a resident at the Dunstan, and so well known and respected, that his removal to another district cannot be viewed in any other light than that* of a public loss. It seems a great pity to shift Warders about so unceremoniously ; in fact, in this case the one universal opinion prevails that a positive injustice has been done. A gentleman in the positioa of a Warden and Resident Magistrate, especially if a married man, cannot keep up his position without a considerable expenditure. He cannot live in a tent like a digger; but he ought to do so, if the Government keep their servants wandering about like showmen. It is to be hoped that the Government will re-consider the step they haye taken, and pay the deference due to public opinion, by letting Mr Robinson remain where he is.

The Clyde Choral Society gave their first Concert at the Town Hall, on Monday evening last, the proceeds being devoted to the Dunstan District Hospital. The success achieved was most unequivocal, and the leader, Mr James Spenceley, may be congratulated upon his success, when we consider the rough and incongruous material he had to work upon. Scarcely a tithe of his pupils—till he took them in hand—understood a note of music. The choir num vered about forty, and their performance showed that they had been both well and carefully drilled. The choruses were admirably executed; many of them being really difficult pieces of music. The gem of the evening waß " Norah Mullane" by Mrs Harper*; and next in excellence, was " The Power of Love," by Miss Annie Brooks. Both of these ladies possess voices not commonly heard in private circles. A duet by the latter lady and Mrs Ziele, " I know a bank," was exceedingly well sung, and deservedly applauded. Two comic songs were sung by a gentleman, which considerably pleased the audience, but they had been better omitted. An infant phenomenon, named Miss Mary Jane Hastie, aged some ten. summers, sang "In the Hazle Dell" with considerable self-composure, and was well applauded for her effort. Child singing in public is, however, a painful exhibition, on account of the great exertion required from the performer. Mr Eichardt, of Queenstown, r presided at the, pianoforte, arid accompanied the songs with marked taste. The concert was the greatest success of the • kind we have seen on the Dunstan. About 250 persons were present. Mr H. W. Robinson, the President of the Hospital, returned thanks to the choir for their assistance in adding to the resources of that institution.

On Wednesday evening, the members of the Society gave a second performance, at Smitham's Concert Hall, Cromwell, in aid of the Public Library fund. The room was crowded, and the concert successful.

The weather has been very favorable of late for working the river banks and beaches, and some very satisfactory rer turns have been accordingly made. The season must, however, be a short one ; the sun's rays are daily gathering too much power for the Molyneux to remain much longer at a low level, fhe large accumulation of snow upon the ranges must soon melt away before the increasing warmth of old Sol. The dredging machines have also been very successful. The quantity of gold deposited in the bottom of the Molyneux must be immense, and this branch of mining will undoubtedly be prosperous for many years to come.