BLACKS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1053, 23 June 1882, Page 3

BLACKS.

(From our own drresponctent)

The weather and the Hsing 11 »>d is aboui the principle topic at present moment Rain commenced to fall .on Monday evening—though for the matter of that it had been raining on and off ftr several days pre. viously lasting on Saturday for several hours and continued without intermission till Tuesday evening, nu king the greatest rainfall experience in this district for years. By daybreak on Tuesday the Manuherikia river had risen considerably and.it kept on rising rapidly all day. About two in the afternoon the flood ot water being blocked up by the gorge below the bridge, began to spread, and this, aided by a large stream — an overflow of the river higher up, and running immediately at the back of the town—soon converted the lower flat into one large lake and caused no little uneasi. ness, between nine and ten o’clock the water fortunately began to recede, having reached within a foot or so of being As high as the big flood in 1878. All the culverts between the bridge and the -tbwh afe ■ more or less damaged, and the Stoppage of A culvert which crosses the road near the school grounds had the effect of deluging Ryan’s Hotel, the whole ground floor being covered with five or six inches of muddy slime, despite the exertions of a number of the townspeople who went to the rescue. The Naseby coach arrived about half-past four, after no endof difficulty in cossing Muddy and Dunstan Creeks, The Lauder Creek was crossed by the bridge, and consequently a detour over the spurs and gullies had to be made to again reach the main road. As it was doubtful whether Chatto Creek was passable, the driver wisely decided to remain until the following day before proceeding on his journey to Clyde. Another of our early residents has gone over to the great majority. On Sunday morning, about 5 o’clock, John Hughes, blacksmith, succumbed to an illness of several month’s duration. The deceased had been a resident in Blacks for 15 or 16 years. Until the last four years he was the only blacksmith in the place, and consequently was kept well employed, his earnings being considerable. Having been an early resident on the-Victorian gold fields where money was easily'earned and lavishly spent he had acquired habits not of a provident nature. The precept of making the day and the journey meet he followed to a considerable extent, hence it is thought that he has not left behind much of this world's wealth. He was a native of Wales, as was also his wife whom he lost about a year and nine months ago, from the time of her death he appeared to gradually decline. He leaves no family or relations in the colony. By his will it is said whatever is left goes to his brother m Wales. He had many sterling qualities, though his manner was often uncouth, and though he may have had but few bosom friends he had still fewer enemies. On account of the extremely wet day, the funeral was postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday afternoon, had the day first fixed been fine, there would doubtless have been a large attendance, as it .was there were but few. The Rev. Mr Clinton came from Clyde and read the funeral ’service. He had rather an uncomfortable journey com ing from Clyde on Tuesday last. At Chatto Creek he was detained lor six hours by the flood; and when coming into the town here, in keeping clear of the fl iod opposite the doctor’s residence, he nearly came to grief in some of the deep cuttings that run from the terrace on the flat.

Filling the County chair is to he the work of the Councillors for Friday, but whether they will succeed or not is a matter depending on circumstances. My opinion is that if from among the present eight Councillors there is to be one elected to the coveted position ; the chances are greatly in favour of one of the South-eastern members. There is very long odds against any of the Cromwell members attaining the position at least until they find it convenient to become hona fide residents of the ridings they represent. Having been once baulked the Earnscleugh member may not now be anxious foi it. The Dunstan and Hawea members, being both new, have also long odds against them. The member for Mannherikia, though the oldest member of the Council, has no ambition for the honor. I will therefore pin my faith on the federacy of the pastoral representatives, for, know ingthetendency of the class to club together, it is a matter oi soma surprise how the two representatives in the Council have not before now pulled in the same boat. The Hawea member having stuck to his Northern compeers while there was a shadiw of a show of their success ; he may now without dishonor end the combat by giving his vote to his Matakauui brother. Failing this, the odds are strongly in favor of there being no election at all by the present members. . Such is my tip. In mining matters there is not much moving. The Deep Lead Company, Blacks No. 3, had a washing-np last week from about 20 or 30 loads whi?h they have lately taken out; the results, I learn, were moat satisfactory, the quantity of precious metal obtained, however, I did not hoar. Bober Love, the late manager of the company, has marked out a large claim on the lead, and it is stated he has applied for the County boring rods to prospect for the deep ground. All the claims at Tinkers and Diyhread previous to the rain were knocked off for the want of water ; bnt i shall expect to hear of them starting again. Asa matter of course such heavy rain as wo have experienced the last few days will do a great deal of harm to the rondo, .and somewhat impede the farmer in hie farming operations as its makes the ground too soft; bnt it will he a perfect godsend to the slnioors, that is if it does not break away their races i There is no active wo k just now at the Serpentine reefs, that country being several feet deep in snow, but there is great activity obserable amongst shares, u good many

changing hands. There is little doubt but there are good things up in that land ot snow and swamp, and next spring I prognosticate will see a large population there. The Good Templars, both here and at Ida Valley, where there are duly constituted ledges, are waking up from their past lethargy and putting their houses in order. A t the last meetings six new members were added to the former, and five to the latter.