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Dunstan Times, Issue 1236, 6 November 1885, Page 2

There is nothing fresh to report about the late mining discoveries in the Blacks district. Mr Green is still busy constructa roadway from his reef to the flat, where he intends erecting washing machinery; and the various contracting parties of the new drainage channel are pushing aheal with all speed. Mr Faohe reports that there were no bidders at his usual monthly sale at Opbir on Wednesday last for the Shetland entire Tom Thumb, consequently that little gentleman will stand for the season at his owner’s stables, Ophir. Mr Vincent Pyke, M.H'R,, informs ns that in cousequonoe of- his expostulations, the Minister of Public Works has authorised the advertising for tenders for the buildings to be erected on the Clyde Police Camp.

The weather during the past week has been most trying, ranging from midsummer heat to winter cold. The better part -of last week it was bloiring a perfect hurri* cane ; this was followed by close hot dry weather, and then again on Monday with bitter cold, accompanied with snow and rain. ' The great changes are moat hurtful to the constitutions of both old and youug. and many. are -complaining, . .It is to be feared thdt the'sheep farmers will slitter great losses, as the great cold is sure to plav sad havoc with the young lambs which are now dropping generally through the district.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of 11 The Fanners’ Circular ” for 1885 6, issued by Donald Reid and Co. Besides the Calendar for 188G, it contains a large amount of useful information to farmers, none of whom should be without a copy for reference.

The “ Illustrated New Zealand Herald ” to hand is a very excellent number, it containing several good New Zealand views, besides a quantity of reading matter that would be fouud of interest anywhere and everywhere.

At Burnside Yards on October 28th, Messrs Donald Reid and Co. sold on behalf of Mr J. Smith, Ophir (Blacks No. 1), 15 bullocks (light weights) to L 8 2s 6d ; 21 heifers and cows to L 6 12s 6d.

In another column appears the first of a series of articles from the “ Otago Daily Times ” on the new find of gold at Ophir, by Vincent Pyke, and which we intend to insert as they appear in that journal.

Mr R. Sheppard, Tinkers, notifies a monster clearing sale of drapery, boots, shoes, etc , in this issue.

All accounts and calls due to the Ida Valley Farmers’ Company, Limited, are to be paid in to the - Colonial Bank before the 2lst November. v

The return match between the Blacks' and Clyde Cricket Clubs takes place on the ground of the latter on Monday, the £»--h inst. (Prince of Wales Birthday), and the day being a general holiday, there shoula be a large gathering to witness the game. The following are chosen to represent the 0.C.C,! • Stevens, Thomson, Morrison, Hogan, M'Connochie, Keele, Nico!, Raper, Simmonds, Holden, and Boughton ; emergency, Keddell and Ha-per. Blacks will be chosen from the followingW. Pitches, A. Pitches, J. Ryan, E. Ryan, Bnrren, Hyde, Williams, Laidlaw, Bannerman, Ferguson, Boulton, Brown, and Moody.

The fall of snow in the Blacks district for the season of the year has been unprecedented, it having fallen on the flat fully a foot deep, while the whole of the ranges are covered from the top to the very bottom with a mentis of white as perfect as could be seen. The appearance of the country ia that of midwinter instead of beginning of summer, and the general fear is that there will be a heavy flood. All the gardens and plantations present but a sorry appearance, both forest and fruit trees being bent and broken by the weight of tho snow that fell on them. The district, however, generally will benefit from the fall, as a good soaking was badly wanted for the springing crops.

An Auckland paper quotes, as an instance of the hard times which are beginning to be felt there, the fact that 43 tenders were received for the supply of labour and nails only to erect a flve»rootned house. The ■tenders ranged from Lls to L6O.

History will never stop repeating itself (remarks a contemporary). Dr Taylor, the eminent scientist now in Australia, has discovered that in the rooks of the Lower Silurian age there were “pockets” in which the gold lie*. Sometimes, however, it has been carried down by infiltration into the “ porous structure.” We have known men who did not claim relationship with the Silurian age, but thsjr have had a lot of' gold in their “pockets" at different times, and it has always been carried down to a 41 porous structure,” vulgarly called an hotel, and there, by a process of “ infiltration,” been liquidated. There is a plucky Maori at Whangarei. While struggling for his life in the water, he toot off the clothes of two boys who were also struggling. When one snccnmbed, he lifted the other on to the capsized boat; then swam round for several hours keeping the boat right. The second boy died, and shortly afterwards the third one was picked up by a cutter.

A recent issue of the Sydney ‘Morning Herald ’ contains' the following curious announcement: “ Sunday, July 17, 1842, at 2.30 p.ra., at the City Road, London, England, the wife of Mr Francis' Burnand Davidson, of a son; and at 8.40 a m., Wednesd ay, 23rd September, 1885, at D’Bresbv Cottage, Waverly Heights, Cowper street, Waverly, N.8.W., the wife of Mr Francis Burnand Davidson, of a son.”

“My mother drove the paralysis and neuralgia all out of her system with American Hop Bitters.” — Ed. Oswego Sum See.

The prosecution for criminal libel of Mr O. L. Barrow, editor and part proprietor of the * South Australian Times,’ at the instance of the Hon. S. Tomkinson a prominent South Australian politioan and banker, resulted in the conviction of the defendant, who was sentenced to-six months’ imprisonment with hard labor. The prosecutor ■did not press the charge against Mr M’Malien, theother proprietor of the paper who was unable to appear owing to ill health. Mr Barrow, who conducted his own defence, did not attempt to prove any of the charges ha brought against Mr Tomkinson.