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Dunstan Times, Issue 407, 4 February 1870, Page 2

By the last report of Mr. Warden Pvke from the Dunstan district, we glean tlie fold wing iutere.- ting particulars. Entire population, 250 C, of whom there are 1500 miners, inclu ding 400 ( hiuese. Gold sent down hy Escort during the past year :Cromwel , 17, 'l6!oz. lOdwts. ; Alexandra, 10,0290z Sdwts.; Clyde, 9,4950z. 12 dwts.; Blacks', 9’4000z., making a total of 46,2560z. lOdwts., shewing the average earnings of the miner to be 147/. ss. per annum, or nearly 3/. per week. N umber of applications and cases heard in the Warden’s Courts, 792 ; and in the Resident Magistrate’s Courts, 506 These figures show well for the productiveness of the District, and, when it is taken into consideration that over two hundred ot our European miners have been engaged for the past six months in opening np the Quartz Reefs at Bendigo Cully, Butcher’s Gully, and Ser peutiae, preparatory to getting gold, we cannot be accused of being over sangniu", when we express the opinion that tho individual earnings of our miners is not equalled in the Colonies or in anticipating that the Dunstan district will, when the anrifei ous quartz rco’s which abound, are in full working order, stand on the top of the list so far as the produce of gold is considered. We had intended to have gone more fully into the subject < touched on iu the report, but we are compelled to stop here for want of room ; however, in our next issue we will do the report that justice it deserves.

We propose to present our readers with a monthly article on the farm and garden, and we have made arrangements with a gentlem-in well versed on the subject to supply one. It is generally acknowledged by farmers and garth tiers that some thing more practible is wanted than that which usually appears in newspapers or book Almanacks. The climate of tiie northern goldfields is so peculiar that it requires a system for itself and what would answer well at Dunedin, Tokamariro or the Taieri would not do so here. This has been so frequently represented to us by our readers in the Dunstun and Lake Districts, that we have determined upon supplying what is so very much needed We also propose to supply our readers with information respecting the best description of agricultural implements and machinery, and their inode of use.

In proof of the enterprise and energy of the inhabitants of Clyde we may mention that, not only are they largely interested in the development of quartz-reefs, but that a party are now constructing a dredge to work the auriferous beaches and bars of the Molyneux. This is to be called the Hartley Dredge, after the name of one of the pioneers of this goldfield. The machine is expected to be finished by the commencement of the season, and and we, heartily wish its owners may be amply rewarded. During the severe storm that visited Clyde on Friday last the approach to the Clyde Punt, on the west bank of the Molyneux, was completely destroyed. Nothing has yet been done to repairing the damage, whereby communicathui might be renewed. "We do not ex ctly know at whose door the responsibility rest 3, but we must say that it is high time something was done.

We believe that the Aurora Quartz Mining Company’s Crushing machinery will be set in motion to day, Friday, February 4th, and that to cele brate the event, a treat in the shape Of a cold collation, with plenty of champagne will he given by the shareholders to all who may attend, to wind up with a Ball at Perriana’a Hotel, Logan Town.

Mr Hislop, Secretary to the Board of Education, lias intimated that an order is shortly to he forwarded to the home country for hooks for the use of the Otago Public Libraries, and invites library committees to send in, with as little delay as possible, a list of such books as they may desire the Board to procure for them. Several most noticable improvements have lately been tnade to the town of Clyde, the most prominent of which are the new Town-hall and Naylor’s store, the latter now fast approaching completion. During the lust few days another new buildim* has been going up, on the site of the old Inverness store, which was the last remnant of the “canvas town.” This erection consideiably improves the appearance of that portion of the street. The premises are being built for the occupation of Mr. Newell, bootmaker, who we hope will be well patronised. An important alteration has been made by the Postal authorities respecting late letters, and we extract the following from the Provincial Govern merit Gazett of the 2Gth ult. for the information of our readers:—“ Late letters for places beyond the Colony will be received until twenty minutes of the hour of despatch from the Post Office, providing such letters bear each, in postage stamps, and additional single rate of postage over and above the full postage rate. Late letters for delivery at any post office within the Province, other than that at which they are posted, will be received until within twenty minutes of the hour of despatch, providing such letters bear each in postage stamps, an additional single rate of twopence over and above the full postage rates. Late letters for delivery at any post office in any Province within the Colony will be received until within twenty minutes of the hour of despatch from the post office, providing such letters bear, in postage stamps, an additional single rate of three pence over and above the full postage rates. In case any late letter is posted at a post office without the appropriate late ice, it will be detained until the next, despatch. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Clyde, on Tuesday last, before V. Pyke, Esq., B.M , and J. D Feraud, Esq., and J. Hazlett, Esq., J.Ps., the foil owing eases were disposed of, Varcoe v. M‘Arthur,assault; finCuG/. and costs. Shaw v Donnelly, claim ofb. ; judgment for amount and costs. Campbell and Low v Glass, claim for depasturing cattle ; judgment for 10s. a Imad, and costs In the Warden’s Court, application was made by J. D. Feraud and party for light to direct the surplus water from Wai Keri Keri Crc-k for Quartz Crushing purposes. Mr J. Holt objected. The Warden after bearing the argument on both sides, granted the application conditionally, that all existing rights be not interfered with.

On Tuesday next tlic Btli instant-, at the Clyde Atliansum, Mr. George Facile will sell by order of the Dunstan Jockey Club, the right to occupy the Grand Stand and Booth during the ensuing Race meeting From the number of horses that are already entered for some of the events, and from the fact of the programme being the most liberal offered in the Province; a large concourse of visitors is expected, and as only one booth in connexion with the Grand Stahl is to be sold, a good price should be realized.

As an instance of the lottery of mining we take the following from an Australian paper “An unfortunate digger bought an allotment at Berlin for \l. He found the bottom at three feet, hut seeing no gold sold it to two Chinamen for l?s. Before night the Chinamen had taken sixty - seve:. pounds weight out of the claim.

Mt N. Salomon, of Dunedin has, for the last few days, been exhibiting for sale, at the Dnnstan Hotel, a most magnificent assortment of jewellery. Mr. Salomon leaves to day for Cromwell, intending to visit also the Bendigo Beefs, Arrowtown, and Queenstown. He purposes returning this way, staying at Clyde during the race week, and then proceeding to Dunedin via the Teviot. Lawrence, and Tnkomairiro, at which places he will open his valuab c assortment of goods, thus offering an Opportunity to up country residents to secure watches and jewellery of really first Icass qualify, at Dunedin prices, together wir.h a very large assortment to choose from.

While the s.s. Lord Ashley was lying in Wellington harbour previous to her passage down, a child playing on the gangway of a steamer lying alongside the wharf tl ere slipped and fell into the water. .Air. Austin, the third officer of the Lord Ashley, at once sprang hverhoard, and at the risk of his life succeeded in seviiif the child. It was determined that so gallant an act should not pass unnoticed ; and accordingly a testimonial subscribed for by the passengers and officers, was yesterday presented to him, at the offices of Messrs Bright, Bros, and 00, by Mr, Hanson and Mr Barr. The testimonial consists of a very powerful fin d glass and a silver pencil cash, the former of which hears the following inscriptio i :—“ Pro sented by the passengers and officers of the s.s. Lord Ashley, to Mr. Arthur Austin, third officer, as a mark of their appreciation of his gallantry in rescuing a child from drowning in Wellington harbour.”

On the 2Gth ult, a miner named M‘lnnerary was smothered by a fall of earth wldle working in a claim at Moke Creek. An inquest was held on the following day before Mr. R. Beethani, ‘Coroner of the district when the jury returned a verdict of “accidental death.” At the usual weekly meeting of the Waste Lands Boat'd, held on the 2Gtil ult., the application made on bejialf James Fleet to be allowed to purchase sections 32, 41, 42, 43, and 44, Bock Ilf., Shotover, was granted. It was decided that abandoned educational and other reserves should be advertised for sale as lands of special value. Mr. George Eeid, Secretary to the Presbyterian Church Committee at Alexandra, applied to have the man«e reserve surveyed by the Government Surveyor. The Board granted the app ication, subject to the expenses being paid.

By our Alexandra correspondent’s communication we learn that the offices of telegraphist and postmaster at Alexandra have been combined, and that in future the business of both departments will be conducted at the telegraph office. We agree with our correspondent that it would have been as well, eie the change was made, for the head of one of the departments to have seen that the accommodation was sufficient for tlio purpose ; but we suppose that if it is found the business cannot be properly transacted in the present building the convenience of the public will be considered. On Sunday last the Victoria Sr earner, laden with wheat from Half Way Bay, while in course of moorinoalongside the Brunswick Mills at Franktmi, was caught by the strong ude which was running over the falls, and before assistance ton Id be pro* cured she was carried right over info the Kawarau Paver, where .-he nowlies perfectly uninjured. On Tuesday Messrs J. W. Robertson despatched the Antrim to render assistance in towing her back, but the attempt did not succeed. It is thought that ns the lake is so high that with the aid of powerful crab-winches the Victoria will be extricated Irom her difficult position. Were the Kawarau river navigable, the Victoria might make a trip io the D mstai .

The Southern 'Cross says -Mr. Wilson has been experimenting at the Kuramii Company’s works 'with a gohl saving apparatus, for which, we believe, lie has applied for a patent. The apparatus consists of an mom amalgamating barrel, in which are placed a number of grinders of about the weidit and size of a pom v piece, bevelled at the edge ; and snob is the wonderful power of the united force of these crushers that in three hours the whole charge of tailings put into the barrel is reduced to shine. For Hie first few trials of the experiment Mr. Wilson used silver in the barrel, but finding that this would not act well, and that a large proportion of the silver became “ floured ” and thus lost, his last experiments have been merely to reduce (he failings, and afterwards adopt an amalgamating process. Ho has every reason to be sati- tied with the result. The little b irrel with which 1m is at present experimentalising is only capable of holding it limit (iOlbs. of tailings atone charge. With this 2881bs. of Golden Crown tailings have been treated, and the ro suit, when retorted vester.l ty,amounted to Sdwt. 18gr. o'l gold,oranaverage of 3oz. 9d wt. 12gr. to the ton. Tito usual allowance made with regard to tailings is that one ton ot tailings represents two tons of quartz, so that it will be seen shat the requirement for the adoption of some process effectual

saving the finer gold is painfully apparent. The amalgamating process intended to be used is, we believe to be similar, or nearly similar, ’to Wheeler’s concentrators We are in finned that Mr. Wilson intends at once constructing barrels of the n - qnii-ed description, capable of treating half a ton at each charge, or twelve tons per dty per barrel. It requires very little steam power to keep the michinery in motion.

We take the following from the WahfUip Mail :—“A bout three o’clock on Saturday morning, our shimberim# inhabitants were startled by a sharp ped from the fire hell, and many of them hastily rushed into the streets attired in scanty clothing anxious to learn whore the fire Was, and to give any assis-ance in their power. Fortunately there was no cause for alarm, and the causer of it deserved dm e months. It arose from a foolish freak, which no doubt the. perpetrator would call a cipiral jok-, but which sensible people can only consider as a mlschevious act at best. It mav lie as well to remind these night Markers” that some time ago one of their number was fined 5 1 for ringing the fire-bell unnecessarily ; and they may rest assured that if caught in a similar n'ct, our administrators of law and justice will be equal y as severe with them. We also appeal oil the grounds of humanity, and bore for better behaviour, as flic wite ef oue of our townsmen has not yet recovered from, a serious illness, brought on by tho shock to the nervous system caused by this false alarm. The Monaro Mercury relates that a servant girl was caught cavos-d rapping in a small apartment .adjoining the lodge room daring » late meeting of tho Freemasons of Cooma. Tho brethren have resolved that she shall bo made a Maseru

It is the intention of tho Government to substitute iron telegraph posts in lieu of the wooden ones at present in use, experience having proved that iron is not only more durable but even "cheaper than wood. An alteration in the route between Queenstown and Dunedin is also contemplated, whereby there will be a saving of distance to 'the extent of from twelve or fourteen ‘rniks.

The officers of the Flying Squadron Were lately entertained at dinner by Ills Excellency the Governor of Taslnania when was presented for their delectation two very Tine troUt, caught the day previous in the Plenty Pom Is. One was twenty-two inches in length, and weighed about six pounds- and the other very little smaller.

Two men, named Millane and Ellis 1 have been arrested for “ salting ” the 'Great Tasmanian Beef, and now another of the conspirators named Bohert Pilson, who is supposed to be in Victoria, is “wanted ” by the police. lie is described as Iri-h, sft. Gin. or SP, Tin. high, with sandy minimi whiskers. —Ausl akislan.