TINKERS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 430, 12 July 1877, Page 3

TINKERS.

(From a correspondent.)

We are now in the very midst of winter, whicii up to the present, has been exceptionally mild. We are all in hopes ifc will continue ; if so, a very large escort will go from this place at Christmas—or rather, I should say, from Cromwell and. Blacks, as a large'"portion of our gold finds its way to the first-named,place, the' Colonial Bank having found favor with Messrs. J. and G-. Mellor, of this place. The claim of Murphy Brothers and Company is considered to be the best sluicing claim in Otago, and close at its heels is the Blue Duck claim, Keid, Mcldrum aud Co., Grey, S jmes and Co, Sali mon, and last, but not least, Mellor and Martin's. The quantity of water flowing

into this place far exceeds that of any other year. At Devonshire the whole, of the claims are in full work, but no washings have taken place lately. At Drybread the present supply of water is exceptionally large, Greenbauk and party are in full but will not wash up.for some time yet. At Shepherd's Gully iiolland's, ■Joms. and «f. and G.. Mellor's claim is being washed up —that i?, one branch of their/sh.aeo —aud is quite equal to former washings. This ciaiia averages £lO per week pervman the : year, round. Greenbank and party arc- constructing a race from the head waters of -the Lauder Creek on to this gully, in hopes to share the good luck with Kollands and Co., and bope they will not be, disappointed. Tiie ground is unlimited, and only requires to be sluiced away to get the precious melal.

On Friday and Saturday last Mr. Chappie auctioned the whole of the.stores, stock, buildings. &c., of Mr. John M'cllor (Bal!a:-at Hotel), which realised soineihi&g near £I2OO. Messes. J. and G. M'ellor were the purchasers of the buildings at £393 10s., Mr. Kivers, from Alexandra, being the only other keen competitor, whose last bid was £398. There is only one licensed public house at Tinkers, the Biillarst being closed.

Our'members of County Council do not appear i.o stand very high in the estimation of the general public. At 'the fast meeting of the Council neither oI them put iu an. appearance. Some say some rather severe remarks. ; tha*; appeared in your columns from your Blacks correspondent had something to do with it—want to gag the Pi-ess, rather too thin in the skin fur Councillor's. Our friends at Blacks have taken a start, having formed a Farmers' Club. A fair is to take place under its auspices on the 13th, which everyone says will be a success. A ploughing match next month, a flourmill to be erected at Spottis Creek certain —the foundation is already excavated. Bravo! Blacks.