BLACKS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1063, 8 September 1882, Page 3

BLACKS.

From our own Correspondent. Strong gales of wind have been prevailing off and on for the last fortnight, but not to the extent to call for any special notice untill the evening of Wednesday, when (he gale increased to a hurricane, lasting from about sundown Until ten o’clock, when it again (calmed down to an ordinary’ gale I have not heard of any serious damage being done. The snow is fast disappearing off the Dunstan Range, but what is more strange, that during this process’aome of the claims at Tinker’s have been short of water, but this may have been caused by th« prevailing fr-sts some weeks ago, though the sun by day was clearing tbe spurs of the snow the water was being locked up in the gullies by the frosts at night. The winds now 7 being experienced will relieve the gullies and the supply will no doubt increase for a time. But unless the season turns out an unusually wet one the prospect of the water holding out for any length of .time is doubtful, the .coating of snow having been much lighter than it was once thought. If the exceptional favourablewinter season is fob lowe i by a good spring and early summer supply, there will be some grand results it is stated at fbe washing mp lime. Mr Surveyor Campbell has gone over to survey tbe two other claims of thirty acres lately granted on the ©cap Lead at No. 3. Tne original party are. I hear, me ting with fair success, they have lately < orae across some foul a r in some' of the drives which bis given them some trouble, but on the whole, ah or. ihnhl errs appear to be satisfied, this party are now constantly employing ten men which of itself may be reckoned a great boon to the district, especial y in the e times of empty county coffers. When the tax gatherer is the only County employer •seen in the district fonmoutbs. Thcie has lately been a considerable commotion among stockowners through the clearing of the ‘stray cattle from off th g Matakanui run, tbe mandate 'is inr erativ e ■every hoof must go exempt a limited number allowed to residents on tbe run, and a reversionary action of clearing tbe rundidders sheep off the block or hundred is being talked of.