BLACK’S.

Dunstan Times, Issue 463, 3 March 1871, Page 3

BLACK’S.

(from our own correspondent.) Black’s cannot furnish any startling items of intelligence this week. The excitement caused by the lau. eieiahu.s is fast subsiding and people are beginning to turn their attention to Provincial politics. Dr. Niven and Mr. Worth are the only candidates who have positively announced to the people here their intention of contesting the election, but from what I hear I presume Mr. Shepherd will stand. If the latter gentleman becomes a candidate I do not think he will be so well supported for the Provincial Council as he was for the General Assembly, as there is a great desire to return a local man. There are many ways in which a member of the Provincial Council can assist the which he represents, and if a is returned there is a greater various wants being atto. I hope the electors will P well consider the question—whether to return a local man or not; not forgetting, however, that the fact of a member of the Provincial Council holding a seat in the General Assembly gives him greater prestige and power to advance the interests of his constituents.

In matters pertaining to mining, dullness reigns supreme. The flat is pretty nearly abandoned, nearly everyone being engaged in getting in the harvest, which task is now nearly completed,—splendid weather aiding the exertions of the farmers. The two reaping machines have been kept constantly going since they started, and the crops are excellent, nearly all being cut in first class order.

At Black’s- No. 3, the Deep Lead v Company have -washed about 25 loads

of dii-fc, and from what I can learn it averaged about 35 dwts. to the load. They have not got the ground properly opened yet, as the necessary timber for driving has not yet arrived, but it is expected every day, Motherwell and party have not yet commenced sinking, but I believe they will do so in a Tew days. I ■wish them every success in their undertaking, Revell and party are cutting their race further along the range. This Wouldjbe a splendid sluicing district if water was available in any quantity.

The police have been very busy distributing the census papers. The Government seem very anxious to secure the agricultural and stock returns of the country. I think it would have been wise on their part if they had left a corner of their very large paper for a return of mining property.