BLACK'S.

Dunstan Times, Issue 246, 11 January 1867, Page 3

BLACK'S.

EBOH OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT,

January 7, 1867

The miners have returned to their labore in earnest, after the I'hrlstmas olidays, and in another we«k or - so the present shillingless-pockets will again be re plenibhed. The Christmas-sports and also those of the New-Year went oil'much to the enjoyment and gratification of the residents. The most remarkable event was a horse-race between Mrs 'l'lntosh, Mrs M' omb, and Mrs Pirdeau The stewards had all their work to do in settling this disputed x'ace. \ collision had taken place between the horses, and a elairnoffonlwas entered against the winner, Mrs Pirdeau. Mrs M'Comb, in rounding one of the posts overbalanced herself, and came to mother earth with considerable violence. The sports on the whole were equal to those at Drybrcad, the only difference being, that they only lasted* one day. 1 he residents here are generally very orderly, but one police-officer is not enough to meet the requirements of the district. Sergeant M' luskey who is in charge, has to travel over a large district to hunt up license money, serve summonses, and other business, and consequently lack's is frequently without any police-protection. The officer in question has also to act as clerk of the police-court, and on the whole, the duties which devolve upon him, are unreasonably too severe. • i ry bread and other localities of Thompson's diggings may be deemed the outskirts of Black's district, tierniau Hill and iSlack's No. 3, must be also looked alter by this offiuer ; therefore, his duties are everything but a sinecure. The high prices charged here far animal-food up to tin present time, haw pressed very heavih upon the toiling miners and others in t.i district. Within the lust few days, ;

change of a very agreable character ho been brought about, and a reduction a! twopence per pound in the price of mwi his been made through the instrumentality of Mr M. "'Kegan of Alexandra. I his gentleman has opened a lar_;e butchei's shop in the main street and sells the very best beef and mutton at the reduced prices above mentioned. He further guarantees, that the prices shall not be raised if tin residents will only grant him their steadfast support. W'c have a considered le number of squatters in the Diuistau district, and some of the runs rank amougi-t the best in the province; and why the mining community should be called upon to pay lOd and Is per lb for beef, and 8d and lOd for mutton, no one can divine.

Either the squatters are extremely

icious, or else the butchers are realising exorbitant profits, and if Mr ' ''Regan can sell at 2d per lb less than the meat was sold here last week, the knights ©f the cleaver must have been making fortunes.