Warden’s Report.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 14, 16 February 1870, Page 3

Warden’s Report.

Mr Warden Robinson writes from Mount Ida, under date January 31, as follows ; This district has been visited with extraordinary heavy rains, which had the effect of causing all the rivers and streams to be flooded. The rain began on the night of January Ist, and continued without intermission for nearly three days. On the second day, the flood came down the Hogburn Gully, carrying away all tho works of the two “ Dead Level” companies, which consisted of long and expensive tail-races, constructed up the middle of the gully. Other mining companies also suffered severely, especially Cooper’s party in Enterprise Gully, whose tunnel tail-race was in a great measure destroyed. Even the smallest creeks became roaring torrents, and were for a while utterly impassable. The Taieri River could not be crossed for about ten days. The mail from Dunedin was delayed for about four days, and that from the Dunstan for a like period. At St. Bathans, some injury was done to the flushing channels, but that was about the extent of the mischief. Since the flood, a great deal of time has been lost in repairing damages. As regards the.“ Dead Level” races, it seems scarcely possible to restore them, for they are in most places absolutely obliterated or covered over completely with tailings brought down from above by the rush of the water. Considerable excitement at, present prevails at Naseby in consequence of the “ strike” of the miners, who have resolved to pay no longer the rate exacted by the water companies—viz., £2 10s per Hogburn head of water. There have been several meetings, at which the miners have come to the resolution to pay no more than 30s per head for water. It is understood that the water-race owners have declined to supply water at that price, and hence tho cessation of work. The “ Hogburn head” is a stream flowing. for eight hours through an aperture of 16 square inches, sectional measurement, while the Government head is 40 inches for 24 hours, so that the Government head may be roughly stated as equal to seven-and-a-half Hogburn heads. Both parties to the dispute appear very confident and determined, but the utmost good order has prevailed. It is not improbable that a compromise will be effected. A thick reef has been discovered at the Otekaike, on a spur between that river and the Marewhenua. It is said to show a prospect of over two ounces to the ton. A prospecting claim has been applied for, and several other claims have been taken up. The reef appears to be about five feet thick, but little gold is to be seen in tho stone.

A desperate pugilistic encounter between two men with only one arm each is described by a Melbourne contemporary as follows :—Each twitted the other with being a drunken one-armed vagabond—then commenced a fight between them. Having each but one arm in the fight, they used their legs, and ultimately rolled on the floor, the one cripple locked in the arm of the other. They fought like tigers; ultimately the most crippled of the two had to seek refuge in Deniliquin Hospital, he having severely injured the stumps of the fingers (which were partially destroyed) of the oniy hand he had left. He maintained his wife and children, he said, by begging, and was having his Christmas spree out. His antagonist called at the Hospital to see him previous to leaving tho district—a bit of politeness more generally belonging to the French school, especially after a passage of arms. Holloway’s Pills, —For the Cure of Billions and Liver Complaints.—Extract of a letter from Mr. J. D. Morgan, druggist, Tregaron, Cardiganshire, dated August 18, 1853.—“T0 Professor Holloway,—Sir,—Alias Mary Richards, residing in this place, suffered for many years with a liver complaint which, so debilitated her constitution as to render her incapable of following her usual avocations ; having availed herself of numerous remedies which produced no good effect, she was finally recommended to give your valuable Pills o trial, from which she derived great benefit, and by steadily persevering with them for a short time they were the means of restoring her to the soundest health.”