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Kumara Times, Issue 1669, 3 February 1882, Page 2

Mr E. Blake of this town, lias recently completed an invention which in all probability will exercise a considerable influence upon the mining industry, not only here but throughout the colony. Some months since it occurred to him that if concrete blocks were substituted for the ordinary wooden ones in tail-races a great improvement would be effected in many ways. Since that time he has made a variety of experiments, and, it is said, with complete success. A patent has been applied for and it is said to be probable that the first trial will take place in the Government sludge-channel. Many advantages are claimed for these concrete blocks over the wooden ones ; they can be made close to the spot where they are required, while as to the question of durability,-‘ it is asserted that they will last at least ten years. In the matter of cost the cheapness will be a marked feature in the case. It may be mentioned that the idea of forming water-channels with concrete blocks, is not a new one, for the Waimate County Council have adopted the plan in forming the sidechannelling of the streets in the township of Waimate, and elsewhere. lii that district, concrete is everywhere superseding wood and stone, not only in channelling, but in culverts, drain-pipes, etc. But still to Mr Blake belongs the credit of having worked the idea into a form which in all probability will not only be of immense benefit to the miners, but will also be not altogether unproductive to himself.

The following tenders were received by the Public Works Department, Wellington, for the West Oxford contract, Canterbury interior main line (Oxford-Malvern section) .-—Thomas and Hill, Amberley, L 14,137 12s 2d ; H. M'Kenzie, Dunedin, L 14,254 8s ; Jesse Coates, Palmerston South, L 14,301 5s 4d ; P. Dey, Mosgiel, L 14,400 11s 4d ; H. Shepherd, Rakaia, L 14,727 13s ; Davidson and Conyers, Dunedin, L 14,775 4s lOd ; Anderson, Christchnrch, L 15,324 14s 5d ; Mace and Bassett, Patea, L1G.237 ; P. M‘Grath, Rangiora, L 16,880 8s Gd ; Ajidrew Stenhouse, Christchurch, L 18,795 19s lOd ;

Rutherford and Williams, L 22,312. Alternative tenders—Jesse Coates (accepted), Palmerston South, L13,G56 5s 4d; Thomas iand Hill, Amberley, L 13,883 13s 2d; Davidson and Conyers, Dunedin, L 14,100 3s lOd; P. M‘Grath, Rangiora, L 16,433 11s.

The Inangahua Herald of the 31st ult., a tri-weekly paper, has reached us, but instead of the usual four pages it comes as one only, and doubtless the staff have had Considerable difficulty to present even this quantity of readable matter to their subscribers. The proprietor, Mr C. Mirfin, has been a true victim to the adage that “misfortunes never come singly.” After passing through a very severe ordeal in Court in connection with the late elections, he is aroused from his bed one morning to find his residence considerably damaged by fire; and last Saturday, as our readers are aware, the Herald office and plant, owned by him, were burned to the ground, sufficient type only being saved to bring out the paper in the reduced way it is. . Messrs J. Manson and Co. having on hand many useful articles of drapery and clothing which they wish to clear out, have resolved to make great reductions in the price of them for cash. A list of the goods, which are of every-day wear, may be seen on the next page.