OTAGO.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 392, 26 July 1861, Page 4

OTAGO.

(From the Otago Colonist.) THE TUAPEKA GOLD FIELDS.

ARRIVAL OF SUPERINTENDENT AND GOLD

ESCORT,

His Honor the Superintendent arrived from the Tuapeka Gold Fields last Friday afternoon, 12th July, about 4 o'clock, having left on the previous day at noon.

The first Gold Escort in this province came in the same day, and brought 500 ozs., which was at ouce placed in the Bank; upwards of 100 ozs. came down privately by persons accompanying the escort. Later in the day several other parties arrived from the diggings —some of whom had been tolerably successful, whilst others had returned for proper working tools and provisions, of which there is only a very.- moderate supply. A few returned on Saturday, but from their statements it appeared evident that they had been ill-provided with the implements used to obtain gold in anything like payable quantities; some were inexperienced, and others had not really given the diggings a fair trial.

The weather had beeu very fine at the diggings; and out of the thousand persons now congregated together, between seven and eight hundred were actually at work. Mr. Miller's party of seven had obtained in one day 38 ozs. and a few dwts.; and in nine days the total amount obtained by the same party was 127 ounces.

Mr. Peter Lindsay and party, consisting of three, deposited 49 ozs. 5 dwts. in the Oriental Bank on Friday—the [produce of three days' work.

Mr. Read's party sent in 168| ozs. The diggings are forthwith to"be declared a ' Gold Field' according to the Act. The price of meat on the diggings is Bd. per lb.; of flour £7 10s. the 100 lb., or £150 per ton.

A largo meeting bad been held on tbe diggings, at which the Superintendent was present. There was some discussion respecting the road from Tokomairiro to tbe diggings, which, with a little improvement, it was ascertained could be made a|very good one. The Licensing question also came on for discussion, the opinion! of the diggers beiDg unanimously expressed against the establishment of licensed houses —not a dissenting voice was heard.

The best possible order was being preserved by the diggers. The rules lately brought into operation amongst them were working beneficially.

(From the Witness.)

The S.S. Victory.—An investigation has taken placa as to the cause of the loss of this fine steamer. A charge has been laid against the chief mate of being intoxicated at the time of tbe disaster, and of deserting his. post. On Wednesday, July 10, the Collector of Customs, the Resident Magistrate, and several other gentlemen proceeded to the wreck to conduct the inquiry there. From what we can learn, the accident arose from the compasses being wrong, th« ve-sel having been steamed right into Wickliffe Bay, where she now lies high and dry at low water, and is but little damaged ; tyit it is impossible^ iv the state of the colony, and from tbe want of proper appliances, to get her off. bhe is therefore to be sold by auction on an curly d&y.

Dunedin Building and Land Society.—A quarterly meeting of the above Society was held in the Odd Fellows' Hall, on. Monday, Ist July, when the cash on hand, £1050, was disposed of at a total premium of £391 135.; the highest premium for £25 being £9 155., and the lowest £9 ss.

provincial council

The Council went into Committee of Supply,

±or ihe Superintendent's department, £490 was voted, and for that of Ihe Solicitor, 3150.

■"There was some discussion on the item £125 for Provincial Treasurer; aud objections were made to it by Messrs. Reynolds and Gillies, the latter of whom declared tho work of the Treasurer could be performed in the course of two hours a week, and now that a SubTreasurer had been appointed, there was no responsibility attached to the former office. Mr. Gillies moved that the salary should be the same as that paid to the ether ex officio mem' bers of the Executive. Mr. Cutten siated that the salaries of these members would be £100 a year, tho Speaker was to have tbe same, and the Chairman of Committees ,£SO. The item was at length agreed to, as also some other items belonging to the Treasurer's department, amounting in all to £800. Foi' the Audit department £50 was voted, after some discussion. The items under the following departments were then agreed to :— „ . £• b. d. Registrars' .. .. 195 0 0 Provincial Council .. 635 0 0 Land .. .. ~ 1722 10 0 yurvcy .. ~ .. 6037 0 0 i'til'lic Works ~ .. 1421 19 r Police 2932 ■•' Gaol P r .0 I Sheep Inspectors'" " ;J^ ]£ 2 ci ~ , ~ * . 515 0 0 borne slight discussion . , t , yr Reynold* took place . 1 bro0 Bht /" ** **'■ the Provincial Sur dn tbe vote of £I(X> for as were also so- **?* ; b? fc ]t waf *«"** ! 0 ' partment, a- /* °ther ? ° f ma ™er tbat do" Under , "10untlug m all t0 £66t>. tha i v , -ie liead of Ed«cation, tbe salaries of •P*iOQ aD(* Scll°ol teachers > amounting to -i^J» were agreed to, as were also the items Buildings and Repairs (except £90 for alterations). The total amount voted was £3296 17s. 9d.