THE SHOTOVER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 159, 5 November 1864, Page 2

THE SHOTOVER.

(from our own correspondent.) Maori Point, November 4th. Considerable excitement has existed here lately on account of some favorable news received from the Grey diggings, by private letters, in consequence of which about fifty men have left within the last ten days. If this mania were to last long the Shotover, with its millions of unclaimed deposits, would stand a good chance of being turned into a huge sludge channel for the benefit of the O O mountain sluicers, but hereafter to be the means of furnishing " piles" to hundreds of miners. The two large companies at Skipper's — the Aylmer and Mountain —are engaged in earnest, washing away whole hills of drift, and making a handsome thing of it. I thought to have been enabled to chronicle the quantity obtained from the first washing up of the Aylmer this week, but the company are still at it, sluicing away thousands of tons, and will not wash up for a few days yet. The Mountain Race is a sight worth seeing, for the water falls from such a height that it has the appearance of smoke by the time it reaches the washdirt, which when struck, flies up into clouds of dust, to be swamped down again and carried off into the river. As one approaches the scene it has the appearance of a cloud of dust, only on looking more carefully the rolling away of large boulders by the operation of the water soon undeceives the looker-on as to its character. Such large quantities of ground have been already removed as to dam up Skipper's Creek and form it quite into a lake, with abundance of room to float the old Wakatip steamer, now rolling about Queenstown waters, were she up there. The company owning the race are not the only ones likely to benefit by the undertaking, for the water has found channels for itself through the loose drift, and a great number of miners who were cradling the washdirt in the terracss have thrown aside their cradles and find water enough to sluice with from the waste brought in by these races. The Defiance party are again at work, and so are all the other river parties, from the Perseverance to the Spinning Jenny wheels, but none of them have as yet obtained gold this week. All were detained from the unexpected fresh in the river from Wednesday to Friday last. Some slight damage was done to Barrett and and Millan and partys' walls, which wi»l throw them back a short time. The Perseverance divided about £2OO between thsm for their fortnight's work. The following amount divided in this company for the last two months or so will give your readers some idea of the richness of the Shotover river bed :—£1650 amongst twenty shareholders gives five dividends of £330 each. Were the work of turning the river, building their wheel, forming their flume, &c., to be contracted for I don't believe the whole affair would have cost £6OO, besides which, they have now proved ground that will take them a year or two to work out, and make every man in the party rich, if he be careful. This is an illustration of what may be done by capital on the Shotover, for miles of such ground lies untouched, all equally rich in gold ; there is just above this party the whole of Wilson's Beach, high and dry, proved ground, but cannot be worked without a wheel. Now, were a company to bo formed in Queenstown, who would buy up Cameron's wheel and flume, cut a race along the bank, and round a point of rock, altogether about 500 yards, which at contract price may be done aud the wheel fixed ready for work for about £350 or £4oo—they could take up the whole of tnis waste rich ground. This is the kind of enterprise that every man who has £SO to invest should embark in, as there will be no risk whatever in the affair—the is to be obtained without a doubt. W hat are the police authorities doing ? The station still occupies its old site ; and the sergeant with his assistant officer, is left almost like the last man in the island—in charge of a solitary calico inn, whilst the township, with its bank, post-office, government buildings and officers' quarters are left to the mercy of the first drunken brawler. This state of affairs should not be permitted to exist for one day; and yet I think this is the third time in six weeks that I have called public attention to these facts. Either we want police or we do not, and if it be granted that their presence is necessary, why post them where the British public can never see them? and if they wanted them must needs descend a tremendous hill, cross the Shotover, and ascend another hill before they can be spoken with. We had a fierce thunderstorm early this morning: wind, rain, and thunder vied with each other in causing the greatest uproar. It has now abated; but the river is flooded, and the miners in consequence are idle. Professor Griffin favored us with a visit last night, and delivered an interesting lecture on Phrenology, at Bulk's Hotel. After the lecture several men went through the amusiug ordeal of having their bumps examined, and they all testified to the correctness of the Professor's reading.

R. M. COURT, QUEENSTOWN. j (Before Richmond Beetham, Esq., R.M.) Tuesday, Ist November. THE NOKOMAI ASSAULT CASE. Lawrence Keene, alias Sullivan, Thomas Keally, and Daniel Boucher were charged under the several informations with an assault at the Nokomai upon the police, on Sunday, 9th October. Mr Sub-Inspector Percy prosecuted.' Mr Campbell appeared for the prisoners. 1 Thomas Kennedy, publican, Nokomai, sworn, deposed he remembered Sunday, 9th October. The prisoners were there : this was at tea time They were sitting near the fire in the kitchen ; Boucher was sitting before the fire. The servant was going to the fire with a slice of bread to make toast. Boucher would not allow her to get near the fire. I asked him to be kind enough to withdraw his seat from the fire, and let the girl gee to it. He replied with oaths, " mind your own business," and said " let the girl speak for herself," and I then told him I would not allow that language in the place, and that he must leave it. He got up and again swore that I was not the man to put him out. With that I got up and put my hat on, and went for the police. Examined by Mr Percy—Went for the police because I saw Boucher came in for the purpose of kicking up a row. His mates at that time made no disturbance. Nothing further took place to my seeing. Went up to the police camp and reported the matter to Constable Daly. Returned after doing so, accompanied by constables Daly and Gallagher. At the camp laid a charge of the intention to create a disturbance, and of prisoners using most vile language to a new arrival at his house. On arrival of the constables pointed out Boucher as the man making the disturbance. On being requested by Constable Daly to leave the hotel, he said " I won't leave for you." Constable Daly then took and lifted him out, and a scuffle ensued. Returned after this to the bar to pacify the girl, and found Sullivan before the bar. Told him to leave; as I wanted to have no one present. He refused to leave. Called in again Constable Gallagher. Before Constable Gallagher was called in Sullivan pulled off his coat as if to fight. Constable Gallagher succeeded, after a struggle, in getting Sullivan out; and I then locked the ,doors. Sullivan was pushed out at the back premises. Returned to pacify the girl; and my next door neighbor, Mr Turner, opened the door I had fastened." Heard the people then outside scream ** the constable is killed." The girl was fainting. Went out and looked at the door, and again returned to the girl, who was screaming. When I looked out I only saw a crowd : did not see the prisoners. Was very excited at the time. The police did not use any violence to put the men out. Cross-examined by Mr Campbell—The men were not drunk. Boucher knew what he was doing. Did not accuse Boucher of insulting the girl, but consider he was doing so. Constable Daly, stationed at the Nokomai, deposed that on Sunday, 9th October, the last witness came up and reported to him a disturbance at the Shamrock Hotel, and that he went there accompanied by Constable Gallagher. On arriving at the Hotel Kennedy pointed out Boucher as being the ringleader. The other prisoners were there also. Found Boucher sitting on a seat before the fire and told him to get up as Kennedy would not have him in his place. He refused to go; and I then took him by the collar to put him out. He turned round and caught hold of my collar. Called in Constable Gallagher, who was in plain clothes, to my assistance. Boucher then asked who the he was. Constable Gallagher said "lama police constable." Boucher then made use of frightful and obscene expressions regarding the police. [The language is unfit for publication.] We then put him outside the door, and removed him some distance from the place to prevent him coming in again. At the call of Kennedy again entered the hotel. Found the prisoner Sullivan in the bar. Asked Sullivan, who was without his coat, to leave. He refused. We were in the act of putting him out through the kitchen, when we were met by the prisoner Keally, who resisted our putting Sullivan out. However, we succeeded; and were met outside the door by the prisoner Boucher, with a piece of split wood in his hand. Keally and Boucher then commenced to jostle us. Was then caught by the whiskers by one of the parties, but, as it was dark, could not tell who it was. Let go then of the prisoner, who went to a heap of wood and lifted an axe : it was a large American axe. Boucher now moved backwards, and I kept facing him, as I believed him a dangerous man. When Boucher was opposite Sullivan, I said "You ought to conduct yourself properly, as you are well known to the police" Heard some one say " What do the police know about him." Turned round and found it was the prisoner Keally, who had his arm raised, with a stick in his hand, as if in the act of striking. Before he did so, received a blow on the side of the head which left me insensible. Immediate 1 before this had seen prisoner Sullivan with axe in his hand. Have no further recollection what occurred afterwards. Cross-examined by Mr Campbell-Saw no c turbance in the public house. Turned the n out only because Kennedy requested me. B. cher was sitting quietly before the fire whei went in. Boucher resided about two and a h miles from Kennedy's Hotel. Boucher, when found him outside after putting Sullivan out» I

the piece as if ready for striking. Cann#t say it was in a threatening man ner. He closed upon us and jostled us ; and it was either Boucher or Keally who caught me by the whiskers. The other parties were opposite me at some distance, and behind Constable Gallagher, and the prisoner Sullivan was between us. This was about three or four feet from the house. Keally and Boucher were behind the prisoner, and the only two convenient. Am quite confident it could not be any one else who caught me by the whi*kers, but one of these two. Sullivan stood where he was with the axe: he did not come forward to me. An instant before I was struck I saw Sullivan on my left. I believe that Keally held up the piece of wood to strike me on the right side ; but before he did so I was struck on the left side. The stick Keally had was about three feet long and as thick as a man's arm. Re-examined by Mr Percy—The uniform and clothes produced, covered with blood, are the clothes I wore on Sunday evening, 9th October. The uniform button on the hat was of a perfect shape before I was struck. The cut in the hat was not there previous to my being struck. Edward Gallagher, sworn, said—l am a police constable stationed at Qaeenstown. On the <th October last I went to the Nokomai on special duty. I was at the police camp there on the 9th October, when Kenn°dy called and said there was a disturbance at his hotel. Kennedy reported to constable Daly that a man named Boucher was making a disturbance at his house and would not leave. This was about 7 p.m. Daly and I went with Kennedy, and when we pot to-the back door of his house, Daly and Kennedy went in and I stopped outside. Could see what took place inside. i?aw Kennedy point Boucher out to Daly and say " This is the man I want out of my house." Daly asked Boucher to leave. He said he would not, and Daly caught him bv the collar. Boucher also laid hold of Daly by the collar. Daly called me to his assistance and we then got Boucher outside to the door and let him go. Daly followed after to see him away from the house. Kennedy called us back and said there was another man in the bar going to fight him. 1 returned, and saw Sullivan with his coat off threatening Kennedy to fight. I told Sullivan to leave quietly. He said all the traps in the force could not put him out. Daly then came up and we got Sullivan to the kitchen. We were there met by Keally, who laid hold of Sullivan, saying that he would not let us put him out of the house. We succeeded in taking him outside and were met by Boucher with a piece of wood in his hand. I was on the left of prisoner, Daly on the right, and Boucher partly in front. Boucher raised the wood to hit me on the head and I raised my hand. One stroke came lightly on my left arm. While getting the prisoner along I received a stroke on the right side of the head. I cannot say who gave the stroke. I let Sullivan go then and turned to the door to see who had given the stroke. I came back again and saw Daiy telling Boucher to go. Saw Sullivan run to a pile of wood, and pick up the axe produced. He struck Daly a blow on th? left side of the head, which felled him at once. I called out to some person present to pick Daly up and take him in. I then pursued Sullivan, who went backwards, confronting me and winding the axe. After going thirty or forty yards he turned and ran towards ths river. He ran seventy or eighty yards and then turned round and made a cut at me with the axe, but Lewis broke in upon prisoner, jumped to my side, and warded the stroke. He was then tripped. Lewis caught him by the collar, and I got the axe from him as he was in the act of letting it drop. He then walked to the camp quietly. I came to the township and met Keally and Boucher. Boucher said " You are no constable." I said I was ; and that Sullivan was the Queen's prisoner, and not to interfere. Keally and Boucher both kid hold of prisoner to rescue him. Boucher asked if I was taking him to the camp. I said yes. He said my life would not be worth a straw if I persisted in taking him. I then took Sullivan to the camp, assisted by Mr Wood. Half-way between the town and camp stones were thrown, and one stone passed by my right ear. After bringing prisoner to the camp, secured him. Boucher then challenged me to fight. He was then taken away from the door. Cross-examined—When taking Sullivan out of Kennedy's, Boucher tried to strike me with a piece of wood. This was in the passage, which is about three and a-half feet wide. None of the three prisoners were drunk. Believe Keally was sober. Believe the others had some drink. Sullivan was excited after lifting the axe. Was excited when I first took him. Boucher and Keally tried to rescue Sullivan. They laid hold of his back and breast, and tried to drag him away from me. Did not see Lewis after I took Sullivan. Did not attempt to stop Sullivan from striking Daly: was about seven yards from him. John Rutherford Ryley, sworn—Am a duly qualified medical practioner, residing in Queenstown. Was called on 10th October last to attend a patient at the Nokomai. I was informed he was a constable of police. Proceeded to Nokomai at once, and arrived on the morning of 11th October, at 2 o'clock. I saw Constable Daly in a tent at Nokomai. Found he was suffering from the effects of concussion of brain. On examining head found on left side a little at back of the temple an incisive wound about two and a half inches in length, completely dividing scalp right down to bone. I consider the patient in a very dangerous state from the effect of the blow. A blow from the edge of back of an axe would produce a wound similar to the one on patient. Such a wound might be caused Irom the blow of a piece of wood with a sharp edge. It would require a very severe blow in either case. A blow of less severity might have killed him, and I consider the great danger existed in concussion of brain, more than from the wound inflicted. Consider the constable quite out of danger now. He describes certain symptoms, as deafness, giddiness, and weakness of sight, and I consider any great mental or bodily excitement might produce inflammation of the brain. Two other witnesses gave evidence, but their testimony was chiefly corroborative of the other witnesses. Some evidence was also put in favorable to the character of Boucher and Keally.

Sullivan was committed for trial to the Supreme Court; but admitted to bail, himself in £2OO, and two sureties of £IOO each. Boucher and Keally were discharged. Wednesday, 2nd November. (Before R. Beetham, Esq., R.M.) Daniel Boucher and Thomas Keally, the two men charged with assault the previous day, were brought up charged with obstructing the police in the execution of their duty at the Nokomai on the 9th October. Boucher was fined £lO, or one month's imprisonment; and Keally discharged. Friday, 9th November. (Before R. Beetham, Esq., R.M.) H. W. Bracken was complained against by the inspector of nuisances for allowing his watercloset to overflow. As it was stated Mr Bracken was removing the nuisance he was only fined Is and costs of court, and nuisance ordered to be abated under supervision of the inspector. P. A. Jones, on complaint by the inspector of nuisances for not keeping his back premises clean, was fined Is, as the nuisance had been abated. Harris v. Grimes—Claim for £2 8s 3d, balance of account. Amount paid in, minus charge for mileage. Verdict by default for full amount. Pearce v. Grey—£lo 10s, promissory note. Verdict by default for amount and costs of court. Pcarce v. Stewart Prosser—£ll Is 9d. Verdict by default, with costs. Coutanche v. Embling—No appearance. Peters v. Audley, as secretary of Freemason's Lodge, Queenstown —Claim for £9 17s 6d, work and labor done to Freemason's Hall. The Bench stated that, as it had been admitted Mr Audley did not give the order for the work, he was not therefore liable. Plaintiff nonsuited, and ordered to pay costs of court. Dooley v. Owen.—£lo 4s 7d, goods supplied. Adjourned to Tuesday. Wagner v. Brookes—£2 16s. for two cords of firewood. Judgment given for £2 2s, one-and-a-half cords. ♦ The following is an extract from a letter just received by one of our townsmen, dated Canoona, Queensland, 30th September, and for the veracity of which we can vouch " The diggings here are very dull indeed. I have not been to Peak Down diggings myself, but the accounts from there are anything but cheering. Most of the people are leaving, and in many instances trying to obtain work on the stations. As water is very scarce this, perhaps, may to some extent be the cause of the present depression. From accounts I hear, I do not think it will ever be a rich or extensive goldfield. Should there be any rich or new field found I will immediately communicate with you. The ' Daily Times,' of 31st ult., says:—" A few weeks ago we made mention of an invention for utilising the currents of rivers in sluicing operations on their banks, without the necessity of incurring the expense and risk of cutting races, or constructing works which might be rendered useless by a flood. The invention is by Mr B. Smith, architect of this city, who, having obtained the necessary protection preparatory to taking out a patent, has placed a model in the Water of Leith, not far from the bridge, and purposes allowing it to remain for inspection until the afternoon of to-morrow. The principle is very simple, and the construction involves so little skill, that any man ordinarily handy, can make it for himself. The model consists of a zinc pipe of small diameter, about 60 fret in length, supported at intervals on floats. The end of the tube in the highest part of the stream is immersed in the water, while the lower end is supported on a small punt fitted up with a sluicebox, through which a stream of water fiows with sufficient force and rapidity to wash the dirt from the gold, if any. The fall obtained in the short distance of 60 feet, where the model is moored, is 1 foot 10 inches, and by increasing the length of tube, considerably greater power could be obtained. The inventor, in his specification, anticipates many advantages to result from the adoption of his plan. It rises and falls with the river—can be made of a variety of substances and adapted to a variety of circumstances. No matter whether the current of the river is rapid or slow, by lengthening or shortening the tube the fail desired can be obtained, and it can be used either on the river itself or on its banks, as is most suitable to the convenience of the sluicers. The inventor asserts that at a cost £75 he can construct apparatus sufficient to give employment to eight men, and to pass 60 loads of washdirt per day through the sluice-box. When used on the river, the inclination of the sluice-box can be varied by adjusting the ballast on the punt, and the difficulty at present experienced in getting rid of the tailings will be completely obviated, as the current will carry them away. Should these anticipations be realised, large areas of known auriferous ground may be economically worked, which hitherto could only have been sluiced at the cost of a very heavy outlay of capital. In a late date of the 1 Southern Cross' appears the following" Mr S. Stephenson, of Russell, writing to us under date 10th October, says—- < The enclosed paper was taken out of a bottle picked up on Pakeha Beach, Bay of Islands, on Sunday, 9th October, 1864, which you will please publish. The paper in question, which will be found below, would appear to have been enclosed in the bottle for a period of no less than two years and nine months. It speaks for itself. [copy.]— Ship Eucalypti, at sea. Lat. 40deg. 10 min., S., long. 186 deg. E. Jan. 30,1862. The ship Eucalypti, from Singapore for Otago, Captain Jeremy, waterlogged. Down on her beam-ends; fore and main masts carried away ; cook-house and all the boats, except the gig, stove in. The captain and chief mate, Mr Lowe, and seven seamen, leave the ship in the gig this day in hopes of reaching the coast of New South Wales. May God protect us. 8. H. Jeremy.'"