ST. BATHAN'S.

Dunstan Times, Issue 222, 27 July 1866, Page 3

ST. BATHAN'S.

[from our own correspondent.] July 23. The dry weather which has prevailed lately, though suitable for sluicing operations, has reduced the quantity of water in the races, and wc are now suffering from a short supply of that necessary element; this is only a temporary inconvenience, however, as we are now in the midst of a heavy snow-fall, with every indication of its continuance. In mining matters, I have no news of importance to communicate; the diggers i have been constantly employed during the last fortnight, with apparently good results and tlift Water Race Companies are realising satisfactory dividends. No new ground has been taken up, simply because there are not sufficient bands to man the ground already marked off; an addition to the population is greatly needed, there is great 'difficulty in procuring hired men even at the high rate of four pounds per week, and this seems to be the case on nearly all the goldfields of the Province. Under such a state of things, the opening up of new ground, where risk is involved, is out of the question, and prospecting is at an end. A meeting of the local committee of the

Dunstan Hospital, was held in Mr Taylor's store, on Monday evening, the 15th hist. Mr James Taylor in the chair, when it was resolved to hold an Auction Bazaar in aid of the funds of that institution, on Monday the 23rd inst. Mr Fitch has kindly granted the use of his store, (the Old London House,) for the occasion. 'lhe Committee are exerting themselves, in collecting articles for the Bazaar, which, I trust, will prove a success. It is to be hoped that the miners will come out liberally in the support of an institution from which, as a class, they derive such immense benefits. In my next, I will furnish you with a list of contributions together with the names of the donors. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, on Wednesday, James Lloyd, a recent arrival, was committed to prison for one month and mulcted in a penalty of L 5 for an assault on Mrs Lynch of the Commercial Hotel, since h : a conviction, several charges of a serious nature have been preferred against him, for ofl'ences committed, it is alleged in the neighbourhood of flamaru ; he has been accordingly remanded to that place. It is currently reported, that Mr Warden Ilickson, is about to be transferred to the Mount Benger district, this is much to be regretted, as Mr i I icksou is deservedly popular and fully alive to the requirements of this goldfield, his decisions have been characterised by strict impartiality and have given satisfaction to a community proverbially litigious, and when he leaves he will carry with him the goodwishes of nine-tenths of the entire population of the district over which he has so long and ably presided.