TRENCHING.

Kumara Times, Issue 1381, 5 March 1881, Page 2

TRENCHING.

[to the editor.]

Sir—Will you permit me to make \ a few remarks concerning a new rush which took place on Thursday morning, near Dillman's Town. Early in the morning could be seen busy and excited men, with axes picks and shovels, hurrying about the hills pegging and trenching their claims. Tiie "truth burst on them as a thunderstorm that they had no claims, although they were working them as such for the. last four years, for, by a decision of the Warden in the case of Jones versus Reyuolds a a most exciting race took place from the Courthouse to Dillman's : it was really welter weights for age. The horse chosen from Jones'd stable was a stout Shetland pony, very strong and durable, inclining rather to the Clydesdale than the racer, and, as might be expected, came in last in the race. The horse choseu from Reynolds' stable was one of no pedigree, but from appearance, would do either for a coach stager or a cavalry charger; so, although having no pedigree to recommend him to the racing world, he had superior traveling qualities to the young 'Shetland' pony. This race caused a good deal of amusement at first, but when the more serious part of the business became known, there was a wild rush to cut trenches. The scene of all the excitement used to be called Big Terrace, for want of a better name; but I understand that a deputation of those interested is about to wait on the Warden to invite him to be present at the interesting ceremony of christening it Sratford's Hill. Whether he will grace the ceremony with his presence or not, remains an open question.' There is one thing certain : if he continues to grant double areas at the rate he is doing, by. the time the sludgechannel is finished the bona-ficle miner will find no ground to work without buying it from those that are fast locking up the district in what might, be termed mining l-eserves ; but I suppose by employing a posse of lawyers he will as readily caned as he does grant these double areas, or rather these, locked-up mining reserves.

An Observer, Dillman's, March 3, 1881.