CLYDE.

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 2321, 25 August 1898, Page 30

CLYDE.

August 22. — The weather is now beautifully mild, and beyond question we are experiencing the advent of the spring that is advancing upon us, the sharp frosts showing signs of giving out and the nights being much warmer than those of a week past. Obituary. — Mr James Parkes, an old resident of tho Dunstan, and a miner of the days of the early gold discoveries of Victoria and New Zealand, succumbed to an attack of paralysis on Wednesday last. Deceased was a good fellow all round, and though a sufferer ior years from the effects of an earlier attack of paralysis, he was invariably to be seen up and about when the weather permited. Poor old Jim was as honest as the sun, and as candid as he was honest, while his blandness was unquestionably that of the true gentleman. Journalistic. — The Cromwell Argus newspaper has changed hands the new proprietors being Messrs A. Warburton and W. J. Scott, both residents of Cromwell. Mr Scott has been for some six years connected with the printing department of the Argus, and has for a very considerable part of that time filled the position of foreman. The general get-up of the paper has always been such as to reflect credit alike upon its former proprietor, Mr M'Cracken, and those having control of the printing, the Argus invariably showing proof of the care and attention given those details which go to make up the general appearance of a readable up-country journal. I tender my best wishes to the new proprietors for the success of their undertaking.

Gambling. — Tour Alexandra correspondent says he differs with my statements anent gambling not being the stalking evil upon our goldfields some people would have us believe it is. Quite so, he differs from my opinion, and &o also do a few others if they would only say so much. It would be foolish of me to attempt to convince those few, your Alexandra correspondent included, that my statement is borne out by fact. And yet he writes of having 25 years' experience upon the goldfields while lie commits himself to the statement that " gambling is one of the most prevalent and enticing vices of our goldfields towns," and again, "'young men of weak moral stamina are somehow induced to enter those gambling dens." Pish! I fear those 25 years' experience have been particularly directed to the growing of a whisker, my friend. I don't deny that gambling is carried on in all our towns, but I would hesitate before asserting that it had attained the position of a vice, or that only " men of weak moral stamina " inchilge m the pastime. For the years I have been upon the goldfields I have never once witnessed a game of "Siug-ti-lu," and yet I have mixed with men of all nations, of many colours, and of almost countless creeds. If the vice existed I should have noticed it, for I must confess I'm not one of our fin de siecle saints, and would consequently, perhaps, have had a hand in the yie.