WAITAHUNA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 309, 16 December 1862, Page 6

WAITAHUNA.

It may prove somewhat interesting to nob a few of th-3 readers of your valuable Journal to know that the deep shaft at W ait ihuna has been reefed at a depth of 138 fett, and rather au interesting scene took plica when the dla.-k clay was struck, just before striking the reef Tiie uiggers were to he see.i in all directions pegging and measuring oft1 ihe ground, u<ir>gall sor-sof substitutes for pegs, in one or two mstiiices I saw large pieces of tinnier ust-d. sufn ient to swing a gate on, of no small dimensions I am credibly informed tuat ohe s were t<> be seen rushinz to tbe camp f>r protection. This fact at once called to mind the days of yore, when WY.itahuna was in all its glory. The. men at work at the shaft are now sinking throigh the reef, with tin- intention of driving for the giittt-r. Two of then had a very narrow escape or tlieir lives yesterday, the 11th Dec, one man Ferguson, was at. work b^ ow, when alter a short time the attention of the men at the windlass was attracted by nut hearing Ferguson at work, whereupon the two men at the wind ass. called to him (Fer guson). ii) reciving no reply, they at once though' a 1 was notrig t; the toren an (■ yer) was iinme dately low «yd, taking along with him a rope tor lashing purposes^ On reaching the bottom, lie flmnd Ferguson lying senseless on the bottom of the shaft After lashing him to the rope, he was brought to the top of the shaft apparently lifeless. The rope was pain lowered for Dyer; on reading the top of the shaft he fel over, having a very narrow escape of his life, being nearly suffocated by the foul air at the bottom of the shaft. Dr. Samuels was immediately sent for, and was quickly on the spot, and rendered every assistance that lay in his power. The men are i;ow quite recovon-d. '■^ After the occurrduce, the Chairman (Dr. Samuels), with other gentlemen of the Committee, gave instructions that no person should he allowed todesend the shaft uniil such time1 as the fan in preparation should be completed, which I am informed will be ready this morning.

I may aid t at the road contracted for is now nearly completed,and reflects great credit on the Contractor for the workmanlike manner in which it is now nearly finished. I hope, however, that the Road 80.-trd will not, finish off the road there, but carry it along through theentireflat.- Communicated.