COAL CREEK.

Dunstan Times, Issue 516, 8 March 1872, Page 3

COAL CREEK.

(from our cohrekfokeest,) * March 4th, 1872. The Molyneux River is up to a very high level for this season of the year, and agreat many of our sluicing claims arc at present idle, and have been so since Christmas. From ■across the ranges, r and in fact all over the district the complaint is want of water. We have had several showers of rain lately, hut not enough to do much good to our race owners. Messrs Manuel and .Tamhlyn of Coal Creek Flat, have very nearly finished their new head-race, but as the ground through which it passes is mostly loose gravel, I think it will take some time before they can get a permanent supply of water on the ground .they are about commencing operations on. I hear that Michell’s party have had a successful washing up; after being idle for nearly three months. The Hit or Miss Company at Potter's, who have been idlesinceChristmas, through scarcity of water, have again been enabled to resume operation, having bad a fall of snow last last week, which will give them water for Some time to come. Murray and Toy, (late Jacksons party) have lately sold two shaves in their claim for the sum of 40/. each, and expect to finish their tunnel before the spring. They have any amount of timber on the ground, and the shareholders are sanguine of success. Messrs. Hodgesand Lister, of the seventeen mile beach, are at present engaged in extending and enlarging their water race, when finished, it will be capable of carrying seven heads ot water, and as the propanetors'.haveVbtained good prospects on the beaches and terraces round that locality, we hope sooiQto he. able to chronicle some good'reports. The accounts from the Fourteen-mile’are very satisfactory, and if the rumors, which are at the present time being industriously circulated through the district turn out to he facts, I have no]hesitation in saying that this hitherto neglected place will become the centre of a very large mining community. It is‘reported that a quartz reef of remarkable richness has heon'discovered-by Mr. Heron. I had the pleasure last week of being shown a_ specimen from this reef, and for richness 1 have never seen it surpassed, in fact, it appeared to me to be more goldjhau (quartz, and I was informed on reliable authority that several specimens equally as rich, had been sent to the Bank at Roxburgh for trial, the exact result I am not acquainted with, but I hear it is beyond the most sanguine expectations. Mr. Heron has applied for a prospecting claim on the line of reef. Our Sergeaut, Mr. Daly is walking round the sly grog sellers—he brought up two eases last weak" before the.Residcut Magistrate, Roxburgh, one of the parlies being Mr. A. MTCenzie of the Long Valley, and the other, Mr. R. Patrick, who formerly kept the Spylaw Hotel, below the Bengerburn. Both parties were fiued the sum of 20/. and costs.

We had a’tea meeting and soiree a’little while back in aid'iof the new Wesleyan Chapel at Roxburgh—the meeting was well attended, about eighty persons sat down to tea, several gent’emen addressed the audience, and were listened to with great attention, and the treasurer’s report gave entire satisfaction, it is a veiy fine building, and does great credit to the rising Township of Roxburgh. On Thursday evening last, a farewell dinner was given by Mr. Crmond, of Ormond’s Hotel, to Dr. M'Dougal, who is returning to Scotland, bo having succeeded to some large estates. Between forty and fifty ladies and gentlemen -were present. The table was got up in Mrs. Onnouds best style, and elicited encomiums of praise from the company. The good things having been done ample justice to, and the usual loyal toasts given, the chairman in an appropriate' and eulogistic speech, proposed the health and bon voyage of the guest of the evening, which was drank in a bumper, all standing, the other customary toasts and speeches on like occasions, having received attention, Mr. and Mrs. Ormond were called in and hy the vice chair thanked and complimented for the treat offered. The tables were then cleared and set aside, and the devotees of terpsiehorc to the strains of sweet* music merrily tripped the light fantastic till the wee hours were assuming large proportions and daylight was ushered on the scone. The affair was a grand success, and passed oil’ in the most satisfactory manner, the Guest, the company, and the host and hostess alike being well satisfied. The crops in this district are all gathered in and secured, and to all accounts the harvest has yielded most plenteously, however poor they may be in other districts ; we have no cause to complain, I may fairly estimate the average at 35 bushels to the acre, which, considering the dry season we have had, is highly satisfactory. 1 hear just now that the indefatigable officer, Daly has pounced upon another sly grog shanty, about three miles out of the Teviot, the spirits seized had the honor of a seat in the mail coach to the seat of Justice, the case will be beard on the next Court day.