DUNSTAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 823, 6 September 1867, Page 9

DUNSTAN.

• {from: oxtr oto cobbespqnden-t.) „ , 2nd September. ■The "weather lately has been of a more settled character, the hard frosty nights Joaving given way to a seasonable humidity, and once more the water-races are bringing an their full supplies. At tlie Nevis and Campbell's gullies, mining operations liavo been goncr-illy resumed, and from both places tho yield of gold is highly satisfactory. The last few months have been a trying time for the miners and storekeepers ; the former have been reluctantly compelled to submit to a long season of idleness, and the latter have had to give any amount of credit to keep the unfortunates in "tucker;" however, a brighter state of things has dawned, and a few weeks will witness a season more

prosperous than ever. This summer there •will be little outlay in the construction of "works necessary to carry on mining operations. Most of the water-races have been

completed, as well as the cutting of extensive tail-races ; so that attention, instead of beint; directed to the means of getting gold, will »c directed to the actual object itself. On Friday last a general meeting of the subscribers to the Dunstan Hospital was

lield at the Town Hall, for the purpose of re--vising the rules relative to the payment of commission to the Collector, and for the

election of members to fill vacancies in the .Committee. Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M.,

the President of the Institution, occupied the chair. He was supported by the Mayor of Olyde, J. D. Feraud. Esq. , who is also VicePresident of the Hospital. The Chairman explained that it was necessary to elect two members of Committee to nil the vacancies caused by the resignation of Messrs Henry Stratford and John Jack, and that after re-

reiving nominations, a poll would be taken. Messrs Eraser, Grindley, Southam, Kelly,

JTache, and Grummitt, were duly proposed and seconded ; and, upon a poll being taken, Messrs Fraser and Grummitt were returned l>y large majorities. The Chairman then explained that the payment of a commission to ■the Collector was causing much dissatisfaction among parties at a distance : and that "where local Committees were established, they did not like 10 per cent, being deducted from their contributions. He would, at the same time, remark that the commission to the Collector, who was also Secretary, was considered in tlie b'ght of a salary for seririces rendered. The office of Secretary was an snerous duty, but by the rules of the Institution it must be honorary. He thought that the best way would be to expunge the word honorary from the Rules, when the Secretary might be paid for services rendered, and he could also collect money. Mr James Uazlitt proposed — " That the word Honorary "he expunged from the Rules." The proposition was seconded by Mr Hastie, and carried. Mr Cope proposed — " That a Rule, No. 22, be inserted in the Rules and Regulations, as follows — ' The Committee may, if necessary, remunerate the Secretary by a stated salary, or in any other way they may deem it advisable.'" Seconded by Mr Beck, and carried. This closed the business of the meeting.

Tlie afFairs of the IJunstin Hospital have not worked so satisfactorily lately as the -well-wishers of that valuable Institution could desire. The uew Committee have not exhibited that energy in their work which, characterised their predecessors ; and the result is a certain want of confidence amongst subscribers, followed, of course, by a falling«ff in that very necessary element — the subscription list. Such a state of affairs is greatly to be deplored, especially at a time like the present, when there is no subsidy coming in from the Government, and money is more than ever necessary. It is to be hoped, now -the Committee have just acquired two very «nergetic and active members, that a more and efficient management will ensue. On Saturday a miner known as "Saudy'4 ■was brought into theDunstan H ospital f rom Blacks No. 3, he having fallen down the shaft of the Rough and Ready Company, and sustained a badly-fractured thigh bone, "together with other injuries. It is satisfactory to state, that under the treatment of Dr Shaw, the house surgeon, his injuries have 'been successfully tended, and he will soon be in a fair way of recovery. CROMWELL. The Council have decided on being guided "by the legal opinion of Mr James Smith of I>unedin, that the office of Mayor is vacant ; Mr Barry's election being invalid. The nomination for Mayor takes place on Thursday next, and the polling on the Saturday following. There are no less than four candidates in the field for the civic chair — Messrs Edwards, Goodyer, Grant, and Barry. A handsome stone building is about to be ,?' ?ected in the Main street, for the Bank of „gw South Wales. The contract for its erec.'t, „ „on for L 450, has been undertaken by Mr -William Grant, a local contractor. The works on the main trunk road to the "Wakatip are proceeding at the usual "snail's gallop. " .No boats have arrivedi ved for the punt ; and, ao to the approaches, they are not comjjleted yet, notwithstanding the number of aaen employed upon them. The Government seem to expend an enormous ,sum of money ■uselessly in road-making, by persistently adhering to the day labor system. lam sure that, had the work, been done by contract, it would have been completed long -since, and at considerably less cost. As an instance of day labor compared with piece •work, I may cite a case wlnrh occurred last -week at Clyde. Mr Daykin, the contractor for making the kerbing and water channels

in Sunderland street, engaged stone masons, at L 5 per week, atid found that the laying cost nearly two shillings per yard. Dissatisfied with this, he discharged the masons, and let the job by contract, when it was taken, at LI per chain, less than one half of what ho was previously paying. The Province is pool 1 ; and we want the public money laid out to the best advantage. It is the interest of every 0110 that it should be so, especially w!i mi it id considered that the greater the facilities for communication between 0113 j-11c..' an I another, the better able wo are to s ist'iin a, population and increase the productiveness of the country.