BLACKS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 307, 13 March 1868, Page 2

BLACKS.

(from a coiuinspoNnrA'T.) March 3. A cursory glance ihrougli the columns of the Dunedin press shows that but little attention is paid to the paramount interest of the province—-gold-mining. At the time of the great exodus of our mining population to the West Coast, writers were not found wanting to run down the new Eldorado, and to extol the many advantages to he derived from remaining in Otago, showing in bright and glorious colors the boundless opportunities that presented themselves in every direction on our various goldfields. But. since then, when the diggers would not listen, and stay to reap the harvest that was awaiting them, a listless apathy has appeared to cleave hold of the journalist, and but little or no effort has been made to induce a return of miners. A step must be taken towards that end, and I consider that, if a trustworthy report, from the pen of a special corre spondent, upon the resources of the country generally (similar to the report of the Superintendent's trip to Martin's Bay) were published quarter'y or half-yearly, it would be hailed with delight, as it would not only be instructive to the individual but beneficial to the mass Rifle matches, cricket, Caledonian gatherings, meetings of the Synod are regularly reported, column after column ; but, impractical and useful articles, there are none, articles or reports as I allude to, would be a great boon, and altogether preferable, and would give our home readers an opportunity of studying the resources of the country. Another almost fatal accident—the second within the month—happened at our fording place yesterday. A miner from Tinkers, attempted to wade the Manuherikia, but the current was too strong, and carried him nearly 300 yards towards the gorge ; a few yards further and he would have inevitably perished. Luckily Mr F. Lee (who pulled the Chinaman out of the river a few days since), caught a sight of him, and ran to the rescue. He took the river breast high, but failed to get a hold of tie poor fellow. Mr Patrick M-Nally, manager of the Golden Gate Co., hearing the alarm

of-a miu drowning, rylshed- to etio river side in time to seize the" body, just about entering the .gorge, and fortunately succeeded in landing biro, but quite insensible. Sergt. M 'Clusky was quickly on the spot, and adopted the means of recovery, with—l am glad to state—good effect. The escape from death was most mir aculous. The Delegate for the Gold Fields •Conference, for the Manuherikia District, has been elected without any opposition by the St. Bathans community. On account of the short notice of the movement, the outlying districts—Drybread, Tinkers, \c.— are now unrepresented and at the mercy of the suggestions of the opposed candidate, whose ideas have not beeen communicated. Different fields require special regulations, and it is to be hoped that his advice will be impartial, without exclnsiveness, and adapted to the different localities and general welfare of the miners.