BLACK'S.

Dunstan Times, Issue 217, 22 June 1866, Page 3

BLACK'S.

(from our own correspondent.) June 19. This place is rapidly becoming of considerable importance. The population is daily on the increase, and our township, or rather main street, is getting well filled up with business places. The recent alteration in the Golden Gate Company's race has given an impetus to mining operations. A large additional area will now be supplied with an abundant stream of water. Welsh's race, from Chatto's Creek, and the large race from the Lauderburn, are not yet completed j but, when such is the case, Black's will, without doubt, be one of the busiest little places on the goldfields. The claims on the flat are yielding very handsome returns, and the ground, it is expected, wi 1 pay as far as the station. There is not much talk about the quartz reefs just now, although, doubtless, there are mano rich ones in the neighborhood. I was shown some very splendid specimens the other day, obtained from one of Golden Gate Company's leased areas. However 1 may say that both the "War den's and Mining Surveyor's reports respecting tbe reefs tell us more than is generally known, and therefore it is useless my writing at any further length on that subject. Speaking of 'Wardens, we require the services of one here badly. This place, and for eight or nine miles round, produces an enormous amount of gold, besides containing a large and well-to-do population of miners ; but we get no credit whatever for the' gold we produce. It is all bought up by the goldbuyers from Alexandra, Clyde, and Mount Ida. To settle any mining dispute we are compelled to travel all the way to Dunstan Creek, and I can assure you that a journey there at this inclement season of the year is no joke. It is positively disgraceful on the part of the Government not to afford us some more simple means of redressing cur grievances. This is the most central position in the Upper .Manuherikia district, it is on the main trunk road, and

is the most advantageous point at which Mr. Warden Hickson could be stationed. The business of the district could be very readily performed by the judicial and official business being performed at tbis place and St. BatLau's. A petition is to be shortly set on foot, and, if persevtred in, there is no doubt but that the Government -will see the desirability of removing Mr. "Warden Hickson from the desolate region of Hill's Creek to Black's. Black's No. 3 is not so lively as of yore. There is no diminution in the quantity of gold, but timber for securing the ground is so dear that deep sinking is rendered unprofitable. When the road is opened to the Lakes we hope that the increased facilities for obtaining timber for mining purposes will set things going once more as prosperously as-ever. The prospectors on the National Reef are down ninty feet, and have struck water. They intend at once to drive for the reef. Tinker's, Thompson's, and Devonshire Gullies are very busy scenes of labor. Each contains a small but exceedingly well to-do mining population. Every available supyly of water is now taken up, and ►Laits in rncts that twelvemonths ago were uiualtuble at ,£2O, are now worth £2OO. Prybread and its vicinity has much improved of late. Tlie race owners find plenty of demand for water, although at reduced rates. A head is now let for £3 per week for the day of twelve hours: a night head is £1; but the weather is too cold for night-work, and therefore it is not persevered in except in veiy rare instances. Mr. Cope, the Secretary to the Dunstan Hospital, has just completed a tour through this district, for the purpose cf electing local committees to look after the interests of the Hospital. The members of Biacl:'« Committee are Messrs. G. Carlback (Treasurei), E. Machin (Secretary), S. Hume, G. Newberry, - S._Pitches, S. M'Combe, G. Morris, and F. Lee, power to add to their number; Drybread Committee, Messrs. W. Greenbank, S. M'Callough, S. Hinchliffe, K. M'Moran, E. M'Gee, J. M'Lean, and J. Stewart. 1 he Hospital Local Committees will doubtless work very well. Miners and business people all tnkea deep interest in that most valuable institution, and I am sure nothing will be left undone which will in any shape tend to promote its efficiency and welfare.