LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 411, 4 March 1870, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The great success of the last Dimstan Eace Meeting must be. Very gratifying to our 'sporting friends, and to those gentlemen through whose exertions success was obtained. We may now safelv conclude that the Dunstan meet will from this be considered as one. of the chief Colonial events. People were attracted hero not only from distant parts of the Province, hut also from adjoining Provinces, and it is needless to say, all went away highly satisfied with their visit. The centra! position occupied by the Dunstan, unquestionably gives it the preference lor upcountry race meetings, and what is more, we have a population that ap preciates this sport, and who arc by no means niggardly in providing for it. There are also a lot of fine horses owned in the neighborhood, and if our Canterbury friends have carried off some of the principal honors, we are satisfied to know that they only acquired them in a well contested field.

The result of the trial crushing of quartz from the reef in die Carick Ranges lias exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine of the shareholders. In former issues, we stated that a parcel of some few tons had been sent to the Cromwell Company’s Battery to be tested, we now have the extreme satisfaction to state that the stone has been crushed with the following result, five tons and three quarters of stone, realising forty two ounces of gold. One of the shareholders who has watched the breaking down of the stone and raising it to grass, says, that it is a tail- sample, in fact, just as it was broken down. With that fact before us, we can but say that a remarkably rich reef ha., been discovered, and we congratulate the fortunate shareholders.

The Mayor and Council of Cromwell do not appear to agree on every point, nor to be that happy family it was thought they were. At the hist meeting of the Council, Cr. Kelly moved, ” as the whole of the proceedings of the assumed Council since August Ist 1869 were illegal, all meetings, etc., be expunged from the records. Councillor Wbetter op ■ posed. A heated discussion took pi aw, during which, language, rather forcible was used. The scene was brought to a close by the Mayor ad journing the Council for a fortnight, as he said, during that time, the ratepayers would give an expression of their opinion. It is our painful duty to record the death by drowning, in a small hole containing but a few inches of water, on Monday evening last, of a child about two years of age, the son of Mr. Greenback, of Drybread. On the body being discovered every possible means was taken to resuscitate, but without avail. Dr. Niven, who was immediately sent for, on his anival pronounced life extinct.

A meeting of the Dunstnn Jockey Club Committee was held on Thursday eve ting last, at which six members were present. After the minutes of previous meetings were read and confirmed, accounts to the amount of 747 4s. 6d- were passed for payment. In answer to aqucstipn the Treasurer said there would be about 120/ in hand after liquidating all accounts. Resolved, That the hurdles, timber, &c., the property of the Club, be left in charge of Mr. Facile, with instructions not to lend them under any pretence whatever. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Library Committee for the use of their building for the purpose, of holding their meetings in. After a discussion as to fencing in the race course, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.

The following are the results of the various events contested for at the Invercargill races, on the 24th and 25th February :—Maiden Plate.— Mr Hewett’s Duchess, 1 ; Warlock, 2. Town Plate.—Mr Pollock’s Nelly Gray, 1 ; Skvonian, 2. Trotting Match.—Mr. Pollock’s Ranger, 1; Rattler, 2. Ladies’ Purse.—Mr. Howell’s Banjo, 1 ; Lady !• lien, 2. Hurdle Race.—Fire Eater, 1 ; Turpin, 2 ; Sultan, 3. Invercargill Handicap.—Lady Ellen, 1 ; Banjo, 2 ; Beeswing, 3. District Handicap.— Postboy won both heals. Consolation Stkeas. —Chips, 1.

The first brew from the Manuherikia Brewery, Alexandra, was, during the. past week, on tap in the various hotels in Alexandra, Having sampled it, we pronounce it a firstclass article, and must say it will compare favorably with any bear from Dunedin. It is light, clear, and sparkling, and entirely free from that medicinal flavor which pervades most of the beers that are retailed. We wish Messrs. Thayers and Becjr, the spirited proprietors, every success in their undertaking, the which we prophecy will follow them if that the standard of excellence attained in their first brew is but maintained.

The lovers of equestrian performances have had, for the first time in this district, ample opportunity of witnessing the very clcve.i company of Messrs. Bird, Blow, and Wills, who played here the three nights of the races, and again on Wednesday. On each occasion the circus was filled by a well-pleased audience

Crown Grants in favor of the un lermentioncjd are now ready for issue : —Geo-go Atkins, section 20, Queenstown ; S. G. Cook, section 12, block 6, and sec ions 2 and three, b'oek 10, Queenstown ; R. E. Dagg, sections 1 and 2, block 3. Cromwell ; Agnes Darling, section 2, block 5, Cromwell; Joshua. Forrester, section 11, blocK ‘G, Queenstown; John Humphrey?, sections 51, 52, and 53, block 1, Shotover district; B. de Le.vega, section 6, block 1, Cromwell ; William M‘Connochie, section 31, block 7, Queenstown ; J. H. Pasco, sections 7 and 15, block 5, and section s, block G, Queenstown; Edmund Prior, section 5, block 20, Shotover district. ; J. W. Robertson, section 22, block 15. Queenstown ; David Smith, sections 7 I and 72, block 1, Shotover district

By an advertisement in another column it will he seen that Mr. D. MTJonnoclue is inviting tenders for the purchase of his branch establishment at Dnnstan Creek, together with the stock of drapery, olothinjr, boots, itc., amounting to about 1,000/. hr. M'Connochie states that a good paying business is being done. We should imagine there must be, as there is no other drapery establishment within thirty miles of St Bathan’s.

Mr. John P. Armstrong, dentist, has removed from Clyde to Alexandra, where he intends staying for about ten flays The opportunity that presents itself of having teeth drawn or the jaws manipulated on should not be lost, as it may be years before so skilled a dentist visits the district.

By an advertisement in another column, it will he seen that Mr. W. J. Barry will sell by auction at Crom well on the louh instant, the (Nevis and Morveu Ferries, we hope to see a good attendance of bidders, and the bidding spirited, as without a cniestion, they are the very best properties in the Province of Otago. The punts are nearly new, combining every improveme .t. and are capable of c niveying in satety across the Kawarau Biver the largest team and waggon that travels on the road. A quartz reef that has been lately discovered in the Ovens District is represented as being a solid wall of gold. From a trial of some of the stone it is calculated to yield some 11,94G0z. ol gold to fhe Ton. The fortunate owner of the reef is Mr. M. Scanlon, a well known reefer. Mr. George Fache intimates that he has started in conjunction with his other businesses, that of Mining, Share and Stock Broker. The want of a recognised medium throimh which the capitalist and the miners m y be brought in con+act, and by which tl e market value of mining propeities may be ascertained, lias been for some time apparent, and we are happy to bear of Mr, Fachej starting.