THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 89, 13 April 1872, Page 2

THE WEEK.

We have, since my last weekly notes were written, received the telegrams by the San Francisco mail, although up to the present time the mail itself has not yet reached us. Strange to cay the telegraphic summary is for once devoid of anything sensational, and there is really nothing in it hut what we may accept as being true, and free from the exaggeration that usually characterises the news that comes to us through the channel of the American journals. On the whole it is satisfactory, and there seems every probability of the Alabama dispute being settled without referring it to the arbitrament of big guns and ironclads. The American papers have indulged in a little bouuceable writing, but this may be looked upon as a safety valve through which has escaped a considerable amount of superfluous steam, nnd probably when this affair has blown over the relations between the two countries will be more amicable than ever. Woo! and flax are keeping up their prices, and our sheepfarmers may safely look to realising handsome incomes from their last season's clip. Great dissatisfaction has been expressed at the Nelson portion of the mail having been conveyed direct from Manukau to Wellington, and at first sight there appeared to be good foundation for it, but it is only fair to say that what was looked upon as a great injustice to this province has been thoroughly explained, and that there is not the ground for complaint that was at one time

believed to exist. The reason for the Welliugton hurrying on iv her southward trip was that the Lytteltou and Duuedin people might have the opportunity of replying to their correspondence, but if their interests had been attended to at the expense of Kelson, we should certainly have been justified in raising an outcry; it appears, however, thut it is the intention of the Government to detain the steamer in Nelson until Tuesday afternoon in order that time may be afforded for answering the letters that will be received hete on Sunday evening, and by this arrangement the convenience of Nelson will be studied as well as that of the southern provinces, from whence the mails will, no doubt, be brought up in time to catch the Phoebe prior to her departure from here. Thus the oniy part of the colony that will not receive its mails in time to reply to them will be the West Const, and this could only have been remedied by having a steamer in waiting at Manukau or Auckland to start for the South immediately upon the arrival of the American boat. This explanation, which was not received here until late yesterday afternoon, will go far towards allaying tbe dissatisfaction that was openly expressed at what appeared to be a gross neglect of our interests. In the matter of the forthcoming town election we are still in a state of doubt and uncertainty. It is clear that Mr. Luckie purposes to be a candidate, as the Colonist asserts it most positively, and it is natural to suppose that the editor of that jonrnal knows something of his intentioDS; it is also stated authoritatively that Mr. J. C. Richmond will take the field; and it, has been made public that Mr. Saunders is willing to allow himself to be nominated. Doubts have been exprassed as to the correctness of this latter statement, but, from what I can learn, I think that we shall find him on the hustings on the appointed day. However, so long as this uncertainty exists the electors are naturally shy of making any promises, and it is consequently difficult to calculate the chances of either of the candidates, but, probably, we shall, before another week has passed over our head?, be in possession of some definite information on the subject. Meanwhile, I can safely assert that one at least of the candidates is cot idle, but that an active canvass is being made by him, and if those who are said to be about to oppose him really mean business, it is high time they were on the alert, or they will find that their active opponent has obtained a considerable start of them. The rain of yesterday brought disappointment to many, as it was the means of occasioning two postponements of certain amusements that were to tske place. In Richmond, Friday had been looked forward to with the most pleasureable anticipations, as if, was to have been one of the gayest holidays that village has yet witnessed, and great were the preparations that had been m'ida by the Oddfellows for celebratitg the anniversary of the institution of that Onierin this province. However, the hea^y rain that was falling, and the general appearance of the weather when daylight broke left no hope of a fine day, and the festivities were wisely put off until Tuesday next, when it is to be hoped the clerk of the weather will be in a more amiable mood. The concert, too, that was to have taken place last night shared the same fate, and those who intended being present will have an opportunity of revelling in all the pleasures of anticipation for another week. F.

inst

Bay the manner in which we worked the claim was by a perpendicular pillar or derrick raised over the shaft, with a wheel to the other end, in which the rope was run, and led out to a walk for a horse, who hauled all the washdirt or gravel from the claim. This appliance was also used for. lowering and raising the men who worked down below. We had two ropes; the one for raising the men was new and strong, and the one that raised the gold and gravel was rotten. I took the management of the underground woik, and my mate always stayed on top, and attended to the work there. The company consisting of but two of ua, we had to employ labor; and as white men were very scarce and hard to get, we had recourse to Chinamen, and I may here add, for the benefit of that much abased and derided nation, very efficient good workmen they are. We worked the claim some month or six weeks before we found, payable gold, when we were rewarded by obtaining very good prospects. One evening, about six o'clock, my mate made the signal down the shaft that it was time to quit, but as I w?.s anxious to have a certain piece of work done and secured, I told the Chinaman to go up and I would follow, as I invariably stayed down the last. At last I got to the foot of the shaft, and found that they had all gone up and the rope was waiting for me. I blew out (he candle, put my foot in the rope, clutched hold of the rope above my head, gave the signal, and slowly commenced the ascent. Up, up ! Every foot I went the more disastrous would it be if anything went wrong. Looking above me, I saw a small opening like a pane of glass. It was the mouth of the shaft, the distance making it look very small. When nearly half-way up I heard a sharp twang — reader, I can hear it now — which curdled my blood with an undefiuable terror. What was it ? Ah ! my experience told me too : plainly — a strand of the rope had parted ! What my exact feelings were I cannot define. A vague feeling of awe came over me. I trembled. I would hold on with an arm of iron, fingers of steel. But vain all in vmu ! I saw the strand slowly but surely separating itse'f from the main part. It was two feet above my head — it might as well have been fifty, for I could not reach it. Years of my life crowded into a few minutes. Should I cry for help ? Of what avail ; if I could, they would never hear me ! Instinctively I gave an inward groan, for no sound escaped my lips — my tongue felt too large for my mouth, but love of life is strong ; it worked a powerful difference in me ; I saw I could do no good but keep perfectly still. I held my breath, thinking to make myself lighter — for a few seconds and I should be on the surface, or — oh, horror ! — a poor smashed, bleeding, broken mass at the bottom. Slowly, slowly, I ascended! "Hold on, you few threads ! hold ou ! a human life is depending on your feeble strength ! " I mentally prayed. I felt my body getting heavier, and heavier, the two small siraods that were holding me were getting longer and longer ! In this moment of supreme fear I became conscious that it was lighter — I could see the daylight ! I was nearer the top, I was half-way out of the shaft ! I made a clutch at the framework or timber of the mouth of the shaft. I was safe !. A dizzy feeling came over me ; I felt too thankful to speak. I sat, ho.vever, until I could hear my partner say — " What's the matter ?" I asked him to look at the rope. ' A light was brought. I parrly fancied it was a dream, a horrible nightmare ; but no, it was reality ! They had sent down the old rope for the new one. lam a heavy mam, the Chinamen were light. The : rope was never used again. I could have broken it with my bands. My partner, was very much chagrined at his carelessness, and felt it very much, no doubt.