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Kumara Times, Issue 1567, 5 October 1881, Page 2

The mail coach from Springfield left the Bealey early this morning with Christchurch and East Coast mails, and arrived at the Kuraara post-office at 3.15 p.m. The order for the blocking of the Kumara sludge-channel has at length arrived. Mr R. J. Seddon, M.H.R., telegraphed to the Engineer-in-Chief, Middle Island, concerning it, and to-day received a reply stating that “ Authority re sludge-chan-nel was wired to Mr Martin on the 3rd inst.” This authority has now been acted upon, and Mr Gow, Inspector of Works, has instructions to proceed with the work of blocking. There will be about 6700 blocks required for the two sections of the sludge-channel, so that miners who are waiting for its completion need not be idling for lack of something to do. Application has also been made by Mr Seddon that the head-race, which it will be necessary to widen, may be gone on with simultaneously, so that no time may be lost when the blocking is completed. There will be 16 chains, we understand, of the head-race to widen, and nine chains of boxing to construct to the mouth of the channel; a shaft to sink, and half a chain of tunneling required. With every desire to give “ honour to whom honour” is due, we have great pleasure in recording what may be considered as a very praiseworthy and heroic act performed in connection with the late case of drowning at the Taipo. It appears that as soon as ever he heard the cooey on Monday last at the Taipo river, Mr Oxenham, who is a cattle driver, and who was at Mr M'lneruey’s house, ran down to the river, and, although the current is a very rapid one, as soon as he saw the body on the opposite side, he made no ado but waded across to it with heavy boots on, a feat an informant who knows the river well states “not one man in a thousand” would have ventin-cd to do. Mr Oxenham has been the means of saving life on five previous occasions, mementoes of which he possesses to this day. His great regret on reaching the body was to find that life was extinct and that he was just too late to add another life to the list of those he had been previously instrumental in saving. Such conduct is worthy of all praise, and although the deceased lives not, the act of Mr Oxenham is one which, associated ■with his former exploits, is deserving ofrecognition by the Royal Humane Society,

In the Warden’s Courts to-day before H. A. Stratford, Esq., the following applications were disposed of: Maloney and party applied by their agent, Mr Hannan, for the registration of a tail-race. Granted.—-Irvine and party applied by their agent, Mr Hannan, for the extension of a tunnel. Granted—The application of M‘Mahon and party by their agent, Mr Hannan, for an extension of a tunnel, was granted.—Quinlan and party applied for a double area. Granted.—The application of Beattie and party for a double area was adjourned to the 12th inst.— George Smith applied for a residence area. The application was granted condition-ally-—The application of M‘Glone and party for a double area, was informal, and new notices were ordered to be posted.— Snare and patry applied for a double area. The application was adjourned to the 12th instant. The application of James Holmes for • the extension of a tail-race, was granted.—O’Brien and party applied for protection for their claim, pending the result of an appeal case in the District Court. M‘Mahon and party objected* Mr Seddon appeared for the applicants, and Mr Hannan for the objectors. The protection was granted, and an injunction was laid upon the two claims until the decision of the higher Court was given.— Robert Watson applied for a residence area. Mr Barff appeared for the applicant. T. R. Ward, by his agent Mr Hannan, objected to the application. l The case was adjourned to the 12th inst. Capitalists, speculators, and others who may be seeking for a lucrative investment have now one submitted to their notice, as that popular and desirable house known as Connelly’s Hotel, Dillrnan’s Town, is for sale by private treaty, together with the license, good-will, stock-in-trade, furniture, &c. Such an opportunity as this seldom occurs. The house occupies the most central position in Dillman’s Town ; it is on the line of road which will soon be connected with the Christchurch road, and in a few months the coaches will run through from Kuraara to Springfield direct, and vice versa. There is a billiard room and table, and, if necessary, an excellent pianoforte can also be retained. There are but few tickets remaining in Messrs Fleming and Stapleton’s novelty consultation, Mr Gilbert Stewart has disposed of all he had ; but Mr Peters, Dillman’s Town, still holds a few, for which early application should be made by persons intending to invest in this sexanary sweep. Hanlan has finally decided to accept the challenge of Wallace Ross to a match for the rowing championship. The contest, which will probably take place at Toronto, will be held on the Ist November. The gold now being got in the Tokatea mine is at a depth of over 800 feet from the surface.