The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1873.

Dunstan Times, Issue 594, 5 September 1873, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1873.

Beuoatbtho Raleof Men entirely just the pen is M KiiiriEr. than thcswoi.D.

The non-success of tliejP.icumatic and Mr. Sicdcbcrg’s steam dredges docs mot affect the question of the immense auriferous deposits at the bottom of the Mnlyneiix. That gold is contained there in almost fabulous- quantities none will dispute Until within the last twelve- months, dredging the river has been one of the most profitable of our mining operation?, the success attained by the hist dredging companies amounting to something almost incredible, aud the

sume highly satisfactory results might have continued to (he present day, were it not that difficulties had arisen from causes natural in themselves, which make the working of this aqueous aurif-rous strata almost impossible. This by no means unexpected turn of affairs is caused by the enormous amount of floating debris winch is constantly pouring down the river from the large sluicing claims iin its banks and tributaries, and which almost instantly fills up any excavation made in the bottom, rendering our appliances for dredging inoperative so far as a financial success is concerned. It was thought by many that, the Pneumatic System or the substitution of steam to work the crab winch, which works the “ spoon” or dredge, as in the case of Mr- Siecleberg, would have, overcome the difficulty, but after patient and repeated trials this was not found to he the case, and the failure must be attributed to no other cause than insufficiency of power to operate successfully on the bottom of the river. The gold is there as of yore—the quantity extracted heing'a mere bagatelle to what is stored als ay in the watery depths of the modern Pactolus, and which improved and more powerful appliances alone can reach. It is a great pity that Mr. Siedeberg’s steam power was net equal to thirty horses instead of three, and iron revolving buckets in lieu of a “ spoon ” then the Salaman der Dredge might have proved a thorough success, instead of having to succumb to financial difficulties. All honor however to Mr, Siedeberg—-he was the first one to advocate steam, and the first one to give it effect, and it cannot he said that he has failed—the correct conclusion would he that his efforts were ou too puny a scale for the work he had in hand. We trust notwithstanding his non-success, to see the Salamander redivivus, and feel assured that there are numerous places yet on the Molyneux where tho little steam power at command will he successfully employed. The same conclusions may be drawn with sespect to tho Pneumatic dredge. Mr. M’Lellan has amply proved that by his system, the bottom of tho river can be successfully reached, and the auriferous deposits operated upon with as much certainty as in an ordinary mining claim—the pneuma tic system is without question, so far as the modus opsrandl is concerned, a thoj rough success, its application on a greatly enlarged scale is all that is wanted. There is too much gold lying in the Led of (he Molyneux, to remain where it is without some effort to recover it, and to accomplish this, enterprise, combined with skill and capital, will at no distant period be directed—the reward is a certainty, and when wc come to take into con-' sideratioa the fact tba f - our knowledge of mining appliances has so much improved, while men skilled in their work can bo obtained at reasonable rates of wages, we may with great safety prophecy that the business of dredging the river will crc long be as successfully prosecuted as ewr. The proprietary of the Lucknow Quartz Mining Company, Bendigo, we are pleased t) learn, are likely to he rewarded for their enterprise. The following telegram, received, by one of tho shareholders from the working manager, has been kindly [placed at ovr disposal:—“ Struck a reef. Hot through yet. Gold in stone.” The following is the list of letters received at the Clyde. Post-office during the month of May, and remaing unclaimed on the 31st of August .—Cooper, Samuel W.; Gordon, Robert ; Hendeison, John ; Hogg, Mr. Lane, William (2) ; MTCenzie, Alex. The dwelling-house and offices of Mr. Charles Colclough, Cromwell, narrowly escaped destruction by fire on Wednesday evening last. From what we can,learn, the fire original', d somewhere about the fire-place, and that fortunately it was discovered before it had got very firm hold, and was thus easily extinguishedWe beg to acknowledge the receipt from the Government printer of copies of “Hansard,” hatches of 'Parliamentary Papers, and Bills before the Assembly ; also some Provincial Council Papers, .and volume of Ordinances for tho past Session. The following letters were received at the post-office, Queenstown, and remained unclaimed at the end of August, 1873 Bradbury, Mr. Thomas ; Butler, Mr. ; Cavanagh, Mr. James ; Crichton, Mr. Jas.; Carter, Mr. William ; Cooke, Mr. A. B. ; Gallacher, Mrs. ; Macdonald, Thomas ; M‘Roberts, Mr. Joseph ; O'Shanessy, Mr. Patrick ; Paddnn, Mr. On the occasion of her leaving Clyde a gratifying presentation was made to Mis. Rankin by the elder scholars of the Sunday School. The present consisted of a handsome writing desk, accompanied by an illuminated testimonial. Since coining among ns Mrs. Rankin has identified herself with the cause of education, and has freely given her time to the instruction of the yo'nig, and in doing so has gained their affection and esteem.

Mr, Pache reports having disposed of the steam dredge Salamander, the price realised being 277/. [A small quantityAf household furniture, sold at the same time, obtained fair prices, Messrs. Haines and Stanhrook report their sale of produce-, stock, farming implements, &c., at Ayling’s hotel, Teviot, as most successful, a largo amount of property having been sold at good prices. Feed oats, 4s- 3d. to 4s. Cd. Seed aats, 4s, BJ. Dab y cattle, from 5/. to 6/. 10s. per head. We would draw special attention to the advertisement inviting tenders for supplies for the Dunstan District Hospital for the term of six months. Tenders must he lodged with the Secretary of .the Institution before seven o’clock on Monday evening next, the Bth inst., or they cannot he received. The anniversary of the Clyde Brass Baud, which falls an Thursday, the 24th instant, we are given to understand, is to be celebrated by the customary dance, followed by a supper to Mr. Wilde, the leader. We are proud to say the Band, is not only a credit to the town, hut to the leader, who must Have brought into play bin full powers, which are of no mean order, to make it as a whole and individually so efficient. We feel assured we are not alone w hen we express the opinion that the town owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Wilde for the many pleasant evenings he has been the means of all enjoying, and to our mind the neatest compliment they could pay him would ha by mustering one and all, and making the Anniversary Assembly a grand success. The departure of Mr. and Mrs. Rankin from Clyde will be an immense loss to one and all ; but none will feel it, more than the little ones, more especially the attendants at the Sunday School at St. Michael’s Church. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin have ever taken a deep interest in every movement that tended to the moral welfare of their fellow workers in this world of strife, and we are pleased they are not allowed to leave us without some token of esteem. The Sunday School Scholars presented Mrs. Rankin with a very handsome writing-desk, accompanied by an illuminated address, expressive -of their sincere respect for both Mr. and Mrs. Rankin, and the hope that they may be happy and prosperous in their new home.