MARLBOROUGH.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 39, 1 September 1864, Page 3

MARLBOROUGH.

The Ilavelock Mail of the 20th August reports a desperate fray at Deep Creek. It appears that Constable Goodall apprehended a man for drunkenness, and while endeavoring to effect his arrest, received assistance from Serjeant Cruikshank and Mr; Mulroy. They were set on by a lot of ruffians, who kinked" and otherwise maltreated them in a frightful manner. Serjeant Cruikshank was compelled in self-defence to fire his revolver. The coal discoveries in the Warau Valley are spoken of very favorably. " Mr. David Kirk, who carries the mail between Ilavelock and the Deep Creek, say 3he was accosted by seven Maoris on the afternoon of Thursday last" between Deep Creek and Canvas Town, at about half-past four o'clock. They rushod out of the bush from the river side, .and asked him to deliver up the mail. On hi 3 refusal, one of them presented a pistol at him, and another unloosened the near side saddle-strap, taking away the bags and a new coat. A third Maori drew a knife on the mail man, but providentially he avoided the injury intended by jerking his horse beyond the ruflians reach. A very Blight scratch was inflicted beneath the right eye". They then decamped in the direction of the river. He appears to think they arc not Maoris of this province, and states from wh.it transpired on Wednesday the attack v?as premeditated. ' On his arrival at Haveloek he gave information to the police, who at once departed for the spot, Mr. Jolmstone, postman, since informs us that one of the mail bags was found yesterday concealed in an old stump, near the scene of the attack. The mail bag and letters were quite intact, and in accordance with the waybill of the forwarding postmaster." The same journal has the following mining items : — " The Escort arrived in Haveloek on Monday afternoon, bringing down from the diggings 2250 ounces of gold." mountain camp. (feom our owx cokrespon'deut.) William Riehmonrl and his party have obtained 120 ozs. out of their claim the last few days, previous to the late flood. They have since sold out for a good price to some of their neighbors. About a mile lower down, Sullivan and his party were the lucky finders of 5i ozs. after a few hours work, that is to say, after they had finished their dams and other works necessary to bo completed before the search for gold commences. At the new rush, one -of the shafts on the other side of tiie river has turned out well, but I have not been able to ascertain the correct amount. At present no important news is attainable at the different diggings, the late floods not having yet subsided. The miners are now only busy at work repairing damages. In the Kaifcuna Valley, a mile or so distant from this place, several men are engaged prospecting ; in some cases a small yield has been obtained, but nothing large enough to justify the announcement of payable gold being struck. In every instance where a trial of stuff has been made, a good color has been found ; this, however, is no base on wlu'ch to raise an argument against the payability of our auriferous lands ; for it must be admitted that, owing to the obstruction presented by underground water, the volume of which is nearly equal to anything of the same nature met with on the wet sinkings of Ballarat, the bottom has not been reached in more than one or two cases. Adjoining Messrs. Harris Brothers' slaughteryards, a shaft is now being sunk. We have personally inspected it, and do think from the generality of the drift "and wash-dirt passed through so far, the parties sinking are likely to land on pay- ; able ground. It is a wet shaft, and we are told six men are engaged on the job. A depth of 34 feet has now been arrived at, and the men lay they mean to go ahead until the prospect from the reef decides their chances of remuneration. Another shaft has been bottomed on to the Wairau, not far from Haveloek. The reef was seemingly struck too shallow, for at a depth of 28 feet, they came on a hard slate reef, dipping very much towards the range. Several colors were obtained from a dish of dirt tried by the sinkers." . . ,*