The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1869. "Measures, not Men,"

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 80, 21 August 1869, Page 2

The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1869. "Measures, not Men,"

We are rejoiced to learn that the members of the legal profession forming the Otagan Bar are about to vindicate their rights and demonstrate their purity. The former will be a congenial task, the latter will appear to the popular mind a Herculean labour. Still, it is to be attempted ; the unclean thing is to be cast out; the high-minded attorney, or truthful barrister, is no longer to be injured by competition with outsiders. Such was the resolution arrived at by a meeting of members of the legal profession, held in the Dunedin Athenaeum on Monday last. It appears that these gentlemen have all at once awakened to the fact " that a very large amount of legal business is transacted by unqualified persons, such as those who style themselves ' mining agents, articled clerks &c. ' " ; and this at a time when Dunedin literally swarms with persons able and willing to empty the purses of all manner of litigants, in a professional and dignified, and scientific manner. (What a consolation it must be to eels to know that they are skintfed secundum artem!) This truly awful state of things is, according to one attorney-barrister-solicitor— he

exercises all the functions of these several professions — aggravated by the fact that Resident Magistrates have countenanced this wholesale robbery of the virtuous and duly qualified practitioner, by tacitly permitting unqualified persons to appear in their courts. Except by i inuendo, it is not asserted that these unqualified villains have done anything very criminal, still, the m^e fact of their daring to arrogate rights and privileges of full fledged attorneys, is, in the opinion of the merciful Macassey and his associates sufficient to put them beyond the pale of the law, to call for and justify the most oppressive and unconstitutional retrospective legislation. We must, however, admit that Mr. Macassey did actually condescend to specify certain charges against the up-country unqualified practitioners. It appears that they have the horrible audacity to claim fees " causing untold litigation." It is not alleged that the fees are excessive, in fact the presumption is in the other direction. -Qualified practitioners require to be very strictly looked after, necessitate the appointment of auditors to keep their little bills within reasonable limits, a precaution not, as yet, demanded by the clients of unqualified persons. It was, moreover, hinted by some of the speakers, that these mining agents, articled clerks, &c, brought the profession into contempt and injured the status of those who had entered the Temple of Themis in a legitimate manner. The high standing of the Dunedin Bar, and the honourable and high minded mode of conducting business, common to all its members, gives peculiar force to this taunt. It is only a few weeks ago that, in a case arising from the squabbles of the members of a legal firm, it came out that that it was usual for "Dunedin lawyers to employ a tout to canvass for business ~in the bars and billiard rooms., — a piece of sharp practise highly commendable, no doubt, in qualified practitioners, but which no " bush lawyer " we ever encountered would condescend to imitate, And yet these are the men who consider their profession disgraced because the public convenience is consulted before the whimsical etiquette of their profession ; because a body of men, generally respected and respectable, not a whit inferior in ability and experience — often indeed superior in both, to the crop of Dunedin grown attorneys — infinitely more honourable in their conduct of business, and far more moderate in their charges, practise in the up-country courts where the services of noil legally qualified practitioner are available. These are the men, we say, who having shown in a recent disgraceful persecution, their desire to render the profession a ring, carry out their scheme by another attempt at retrospective legislation. They think with watering mouths of the £40, £50, and even £100 fees to be earned by an up-country brief, and are naturally incensed at the persons who protect the public from such extortion. They are also indignant at the manner in which cases are settled in the RM's Court, which, with a little legally qualified nursing would certainly go to a higher court, and thereby occasion a very comfortable addition to the bill of costs. All these injuries have prompted the crusade which Macassey and Hodgkins have preached amid applauding shouts of " Diable livolt." We do not imagine they will prove as successful in this matter as they did in the Smythies persecution, for they will have to contend against the public opinion of the whole up-country districts which have no desire to be left at the mercy of a clique of Dunedin attorneys. No stone will, however, be left unturned in the way of effecting their purpose, and we advise all the inhabitants of these districts who are averse to Dunedin supremacy, to keep a sharp look out for attempts to smuggle some convenient enactment "only declaratory " or otherwise, into the statute book. We have only in conclusion to remark upon the excellent taste of those members of the profession who so condescendingly patronise the Resident Magistrates. According to their view of the case the bench is simply a convenience for the bar, to be bullied into any cource of conduct which is likely to increase the earnings of the " legally qualified." One honorable exception must be noted. Mr. Bathgate has determinedly opposed the whole manoeuvre, a proceeding eminently characteristic of his honourable character and well known ability. We suspect the next move "will be an attempt to oust Kirn from the profession, because he interferes with the pecuniary returns of his legally qualified brethren.

The English Mail via Suez closes at the Post* office, Lawrence, on Monday, the 30th inst. Wa beg to remind our readers of the dramatic enierU.la.menb bo taka pkca at Waitahuna on Monday evening. THE celebrated horse Morris Danoer poised through Lawrence yesterday, en route for Qaeenstown. He was purchased by hu new owner for £200. The American man-of-war, Kearsage, which san^Jß^confederate cruiser, Alabama, off Cherbourg, and which has lately been cruising amongst the South Sea Islands, is expected to Visit Port Chalmers at an early date.—" Daily Times." In the House of Representative on the 13th tilt., Mr. Haughton asked whether Government intended bringing in any bill this session to amend the Gold Duty Act. Mr. Yogel said an expession of opinion was first required from J the Auckland Provincial Government, as to I their ability to sacrifice the amount of revenue ; the passing of such a bill would necessitate. Ik the House of Representatives, on the 13th tilt., Mr. Haughton's Mining Companies Limited Liability Amendment Act was read a second time. This BUI provides for the registration of water companies, gives the manager of a registered company » status in the Warden's Court, *n& also prevents companies being registered under the same name, as more successful companies.

The contractor for the "Wetherstones deep shaft continues to execute his contract in a most efficient manner. About 20 feet of drive have been made from the monkey shaft, the reef continuing to dip in an irregular manner, but at an average angle of about thirty degrees. We visited the shaft recently in company with two gentlemen of great experience in deep sinking operations. They inspected the works, and were unanimous in their high opinion of the chances of a successful issue. Both these gentlemen were connected with mining operations at Balkrat, and were unanimous in their belief that either a rich lead or basin would be struck were the work persevered in. Opinions vary as to the probable distance from the gutter of the present works ; but the general belief appears to be that 40 to 50 feet is a fair estimate. The bed rock is metamorphic slate, and the bottom is rotten reef mixed with cement, in which the colour can be got. Altogether, the prospects of a successful termination to this protracted work appear brighter than they ever did before, and as the Government have behaved with considerable liberality it is necessary some efforb should be made to raise a portion at any rate of the necessary funds by subscription, &C. The almost certain success of the work will no doubt cause this appeal to be heartily responded to by all who have the welfare of the district at heart, and such a display of confidence in the enterprise will form no small claim on the Government for assistance by subsidy or otherwise. CmziHS Bkwabe ! !~To show the frightful state of the main road through Lawrence (Rossplace) we may mention an incident which occurred yesterday whilst cautiously going along the said road. "We saw a man with a long pole endeavouring, as we thought in our innocence, t^ataom the depth of the Slough of Despond. <;n N making enquiry as to his curious proceeding, he very quietly said that he was endeavouring to discover the whereabouts of his spring cart, which had suddenly disappeared. We really forget whether he said the horse also had disappeared.

A ROXBURGH correspondent, signing himself " One of the Residents," sends us the following : —As some observations in a local contained in your paper of the 14th inst. relative to the town of Roxburgh are not strictly in accordance with fact, I shall feel obliged by your giving insertion to the following:— l. The police did not give notice to parties occupying buildings on the street ; that Government expected them to pay the usual license of £5. 2. Many of the parties whose premises are erected upon the street have purchased the sections immediately in rear, in order to remain in undisturbed possession of those premises- 3. The parties are very well contented (with the exception of perhaps one individual} that matters should remain, at least for a time, on their present footing. 4. About 70 sections have been sold in the townshiy, and of this number about 50 are held by owners of those places of business erected on the public street, who, I should certainly suppose, ought to carry some weight in this matter. 5. Were the town of Roxburgh under some form of municipal government, and the matter put to the vote, I feel assured that the viewi expressed in your local would be that of a minority — possibly One of the Residents, The Blue Spur Mutual Improvement Society purpose to wind up their season by an entertainment, the principal feature of wMca will be extracts from the various essays delivered. The proceeds will be presented to the Benevolent Asylum. "WE mentioned some time ago the discovery of malachite in the Mount Benger district. A specimen was sent to Melbourne for analysis, and has been found to yield 75 per cent, of copper. The discoverer keeps the precise locality where he found the ore a secret, untii proper arrangements can be entered into for preserving bis claim to a share in the benefit of his discovery. 1 The Chinese have apparently formed a permanent settlement at Moa flat, having commenced to open up claims on the Benger Burn, &c. They have erected numerous stores, started a gambling house, and made all arrangements for a permanent camp. Some of them have been very successful in mining operations. One party of three were fortunate enough to obtain by cradling on the beaches the astonishing yield of 19 ounces for one week's work, — a return large enough to satisfy the most avaricious. A party of Europeans who hold a claim near the Benger Barn .were fortunate enough last week to fall upon a nugget weighing half an ounce.

The usual Athenaeum fortnightly Headings came off on Thursday, when a numerous audience assembled. The Glee Club lent their I valuable aid, and the brass band also attended. Mr. Ferguson read extracts from Mr. MicluVs lecture on "Loyalty and Royalty" in a very pleasing manner, and several other gentlemen aided in making up an excellent programme. Just before going to press, we have been informed that Mr. J. C. Brown has commenced collecting subscriptions for the further prosecution of the works at the deep shaft. The contractors have handsomely contributed £10 in cash and a fortnight's labour in addition, — a very sufficient proof of their faith in the enterprise. rt „-- -~-~"' L The usual meetings Town Council came off on Wednesday evening. Present : the Mayor, and Cm. Harrop, Henry, TFalker, Mcars, and Coverlid. Cr. Henry raised the question whether any one could be elected as representative for any Ward where he was not a ratepayer, and the Town Clerk was instructed to write to the City Clerk of Dunedin, enquiring the result of their consultation of counsel on this point. The question of a system of drainage for Peelstreet was referred to the Public Works Committee, with instructions to take immediate action. Cr. Henry gave notice that he would move at next meeting "That the municipal reserves lie immediately leased, for a terra of years at a pepper-corn rental, and the Government be requested to sell the reserves in Peelstreet, above the Post-office, without delay." The valnation roll was examined and approved. Our reporter again complains of the absence of a fire. Three gallant young bachelors of Tapanui have issued invitations *o all the young ladies living near that enterpiising township to attend a ball, -which, if all went well, was to come off last night. It will be seen that the complaints of our lady correspondent " A Mother of Daughters" do not appear applicable to Tapanui at any rate. Mb. Cowjls, representative for the Wallace district in the House of Representatives, having resigned his seat, a fresh election is required. The district is very large, and includes the greater part of Southland ; the majority of the electors are, however, resident at Tapanui and Switzers. Mr. J. C. Brown is already in the field as a candidate, and we are authorised to state that Mr. Charles Nicholson, Miller's Flat, also intends contesting the vacant seat. A squatter's candidate will no doubt be started before long. We trust the electors will show themselves worthy of their privilege and elect a gentleman who will represent their interests faithfully, and not simply use them as a step-ping-stone to office. Liberal opinions on the land question should be a sine qua non.

No doubt the public of this district will be pleased to learn that a. TFetnerstonea Garriok Club has been formed, which will occasionally tend to relieve the monotony of the place. The members of it are undergoing a careful training, by which they have acquired considerable proficiency, and intend soon to appear before an audience. Also the TTetherstonos San Francisco Minstrels are practising, and when they give their performance it is expected to be one of the most amusing yet attempted in this district. The Stewart's Island news is to the effect that a reef has been traced for miles, varying in width from one to twenty or moro feet, and presenting auriferous indications throughout its course. It is even stated that gold has been obtained by crushing the stone, a quantity of which has been sent to Invercargill for the purpose of being tested with the proper appliances. A fragment lies at the " News " office, for inspection by the curious and experts in " quartzology." We have heard it pronounced to be " very good-looking quartz ; " for our own part we should admire its appearance much more if we could see gold in it. Mundic there is ; traces of iron there are j but the gold is alto- | gether too finely divided. Still there is reasonable ground for anticipating good results, and not without cause our citizens are looking forward hopefully to a recurrence of the " good old times," the decadence of which dates from that of the Wakatip digging.—" Southland News." "We have been favoured with the perusal o! a most encouraging report on the TTetherstones deep shaft, drawn up by Mr. Bate, Surveyor. From this it appears that the dip of the reef from the bottom of the main shaft to the bottom | of the blind shaft is 36° 52 \ and from the bottom of the blind shaft to the end of the 21 feet of further driving, 26 ° 43 . This is a difference of 10°, and is viewed as a very hopeful feature by Mr. Bate. He strongly recommends the continuance of the work, and his opinion is peculiaily valuable from his great experience as a mining surveyor in Victoria. We regret our space does not permit the publication ofjthe report in full. Ownbbs of hen-roosts better keep a sharp look out, as this petty kind of theft appears to be on the increase. We know of one case where the intending marauder was only frustrated by the accidental wakef ulness of a neighbour.