The Puapeka Times. "Measures, not Men." SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1868.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 1, Issue 14, 16 May 1868, Page 4

The Puapeka Times. "Measures, not Men." SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1868.

Doubtless Mr. Millar's late report, as it appeared lately in the Dunedin " Times," on the construction of a Reservoir on the Tuapeka Goldfields, has created much thought and discussion. That it is practicable is certain, as such a scheme, for the supply of a populous community in Scotland, has already been carried out, and in operation for many years, and in the same manner, and by the same method of construction as proposed by Mr. Millar. Of the great benefits to be derived from the completion of this proposed Reservoir there can be no doubt; and, as Mr. Millar states, "commanding a large extent of auriferous country, now unworkable for want of an abundant and cheap water supply, it would be found sufficient to profitably employ a population equalling the whole of the present mining population of the Province of Otago for many years to come, were they congregated in this one neighborhood." A .result such as this, clearly stated by so practical a man as Mr. Millar, it is to be hoped, will stimulate the present Government of Otago to take measures to commence this large and most imporr tant undertaking — the greatest, probably, they will have the power to initiate and complete, and which will redound to their lasting credit, conferring, through it, an amount of prosperity on the Province, never, as yet', enjoyed. Mr. Millar states that ." the proposed Reservoir will contain twelve hundred and twentyone million gallons, equal, after being once filled, to the supply of 217. race heads of water, ,allowing the liberal supply of 75,000 gallons each head per working day of eight hours, for the space of seventy-five consecutive days, supposing no rai/ii to fall\ during the period of thre« months^ a thing not at all

likely to occur in this humid climate or locality." Besides, however, this proposition to use this large water supply in gold washing, i£ is judged that another idea may be attached to it, and the water beneficially employed in creating new industries in the locality. As stated, the proposed supply will be 75,000 gallons for each race head, and that there is a supply equal in quantity and flow to 3400 cubic feet of water per minute^ and taking the heigjit of fall as at 200 feet above the Blue Spur, as stated in Mr. Millar's report, this would give an aggregate amount in horse power, equal to 100 horses, that might be profitably employed for industrial pur- ! poses, besides being used for gold washing. Using this large amount of water power, woollen mills, now anxiously desired, flour mills, and other industries requiring great power might be successfully planted in the Tuapekq, district ; and the saving, instead of using fuel, would be very great. In Scotland, where fuel is cheap, it is calculated, in gallons, that it requires about £12 — say twelve pounds sterling — per horse per annum to keep a steam engine going, which cost, were the full benefit of Mr. Millar's proposed supply taken up, would yield a revenue, from this source alone, of twelve thousand pounds sterling, equal to the amount desiderated by Mr. Millar, as a water rent from the miners, to pay interest to the Government on the amount to be expended in the construction of the Reservoir.

It has already been stated that the water supply would be equal to 3400 cubic feet of water per minute, and that this quantity of water would give 100 horse-power. It is proposed, that this quantity of 3400 cubic feet of water should be divided into two main stremis of 1700 cubic feet per minute each, having ten falls, or water-leaps, on eaph stream, and at an average height of twenty feet each fall or leap, each of these falls supplying an overshot water-wheel of twenty feet diameter, with its 1700 cubic feet of water per minute ; each wheel would represent, or be equal to, fifty-horse power. On both streams there would be twenty of these wheels, each on average of fifty-horse power, as the nature of the ground would allow, or, in all, 100-h,orse power. Should the Blue Spur be at any considerable height above the adjacent stream or river flowing seaward, additional horse power would be obtained, in proportion to the height Besides the water rents derived in this way from the miners and from future spinners, manufacturers, &c, a considerable revenue might be obtained from the ground rents of the twenty mill sites ; and the value of all the ground in the neighborhood of Lawrence, &c, &c, much increased. It is now generally allowed, that were woollen manufactures established, great benefit would be conferred on the Province. The wool is at hand ; and cheap water power, in the manner proposed, could be obtained. The Government has already offered a premium and assistance to any capitalist who will enter on such industries ; and no better opportunity could occur than the present. From these two sources of revenue the water could be supplied to the mining body at a Very low rate ; and the spinners and manufacturers would save largely from being free of the very heavy expense of using coal to obtain the necessary power. Using the water supply, the "driving" would not be more than the usual estimated cost to millowners in the old country ; and having wool at hand, as said, they might successfully compete in the production of woollen goods, such as blankets of various qualities, tweeds, winceys, tartans, &c, the most suitable wear in afl. cases, and seasons for the moist and uncertain climate of Otago. This idea is suggested in addition to that of Mr. Millar's, for gold washing, as it is considered that the two ideas may be successfully combined and carried out. As a matter of course, a little more engineering skill would be required in arrangement of the mill sites, according to the nature of the ground, and in giving an average fall of water to each site of twenty feet ; the same body of water flowing from wheel to wheel, until the last and lowest tail-rape discharged itself into the river; at the same time, so arranged, that the different mining companies would have ample supply for their individual race heads, as proposed and planned by Mr. Millar. The two streams of 1700 cubic feet of water each per minute might be made to flow in such directions as to* suit the mining companies, and be used, if wanted, to wash the loftiest spurs, before

infringing on the water-wheels, and conveying the necessary power. To suit the ground, the wheels might require different heights of faU and diameter ; but the aggregate amount of horse power, as stated, would at least be one thousand horses.

On Thursday a fatal accident occurred to a man named Robert Brown, on the Wetherstones road, between Fancy's corner and Shumate's Union Hotel, Brown had come from Waipori to recover a sum of £27 14s. which he claimed as wages due him by Calcut and Menlove, whose cattle he had been tending for Beveral weeks*:. From reasons given in our report of the Resi-

dent Magistrates Court, Major Croker non-

suited Brown, but allowed him f qurteen days to bring forward the case in another form. Meanwhile Mr. Menlove on the same day settled the claim out of Court by paying Brown the sum of £16. It appears from the evidence given at the Coroner's inquest held before Major Croker in the Union Hotel, that Brown and two of his friends were n«ar the Schoolhouse, Lawrence, on their way home to Waipori when Brown's horse suddenly took fright and bounded off at full gallop, and he fell on his back. Dr. Stewart was at once sent for, but Dr. Halley happening to be in the neighborhood, was in attendance a few minutes after the accident occurred. The unfortunate man was then moved to the Union Ho,tel, where he only survived a few minutes. Yesterday morning in his evidence at the Coroner's inquest, Dr. Halley said—" I have made a post mortem examination of the body of Robert Brown. There is a small scratch at the back of the head and a slight amount of swelling. On removing the scalp there wai ecchymosis corresponding to the wound. On opening the skull there wa3 extravasation over the surface of the brain and a large amount of venus blood escaped. I consider the, cause of death to have been concussion of the brain brought on by the fall." The jury at once returned a verdict of accidental death. From Mr. Pilling's evidence, it appeared that Brown was a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, was a widower, and had one child. He was for two years in the employment of Mr. Lorenzen, produce merchant, of Jetty-street, Dunedin, and from letters on his person he appeared to have an acquaintance at Oamaru. .

It is no uncommon thing in the Tuapeka district, to hear of horses and cattle falling into holes. The other day a very amusing incident, and yet not a very creditable one to those concerned, took place in the vicinity of Wetherstones, which, like Lawrence, abounds with diggers' holes, alike dangerous for man and beast. A person noticing a live calf down one of these holes made some enquiries of the people in the neighborhood, but could not find an owner for it. At last he thought the dairyman a likely person to know whose it might bo, so he went to his house to get him to look at it, but that individual had just sat down to a comfortable hot supper, and his appetite had a stronger hold upon him than his humanity, feeling at the same time confident the calf was not his, he would not move a stop. Returning to the hole our anxious friend found several of the neighbors holding a consultation as they looked down upon the unfortunate creature, as to what should be done to extricate it from its uncomfortable position. As the shades of evening were falling fast, and the poor beast was quiet and seemingly content, the collective wisdom of the party could devise no better plan than that of throwing down some grass and leaving the poor beast in the hole till morning, by which time they would perhaps be able to discover some means by which the calf might be raised to the level of other animals. Let us hope this incident does not fairly represent the true state of feeling and sympathy in the district towards the lower orders of creation.

O'Neil k party are busily engaged puddling the Deep Shaft at Wetherstones, and hope to commence centreing in a few days, which part of the work will be pushed forward with great speed.

Mb. "Warden Hiokson (Teviot district), writing under date the 30th ult., reports as follows:—"Early in the menth, the Molyneux suddenly rose, and put a stop to mining on the banks and beaches, and the miners have been almost idle until lately, when work was resumed. I am sorry to say that to-day the river is flooded again, which will cause a cessation of work for a time. The rain which fell, however, confined itself to the loir country j the high ranges having put on their first winter coat of snow. There appear to be great hopes that some new ground will be found by a party of prospectors from Campbell's, who intend re^ maining out all the winter, or until they come upon some ground which will authorise their applying for a prospecting claim under the new rules and regulations. I have been informed upon reliable authority that a " hatter," working not more than ten miles from the township of Roxburgh, has since last Christmas netted the large sum of £1500, or about £25 per day, for each day he has been actually working. I have not been informed of the exact locality of his claim, and I can only guess who the lucky man is. The weather throughout the month has been fine, and favorable to parties working on the ranges. The snow poles from the Teviot to Campbell's will be completed in a few days. Estimated population : — Miners — Europeans, 450 ; Chinese, 150 ; others, 200 ; total, 800."

We beg to draw attention to the sale of Mr. Morton's household furniture, which takes place on Wednesday, the 20th instant.

From our advertising columns it will be ob. served that Mr. R. Smith's monthly sale of cattle, &c, at Waitahuna, will take place on Tuesday, the 19th instant. Mr. Smith calls special attention to this sale not only on account of the large number of cattle to be offered for sale, but also the unusual number of horses, including thirty k«od fnt»rote weight carrying rotdrttef,

/ , —————— — ' We are favored with a copy of the following letter received by the Secretary to the Tuapeka Hospital, from J. C. Brown, Esq., M.P.C. It is in reply to a communication forwarded by the Secretary of the Hospital at the request of the Committee of that institution, at it> last monthly meeting :— » Duneiin, May 6, 1868. JJI, f - 1 ma y say <» receipt of your letter Ihi the estimates; and he had no doubt the Go .aRS^-*- -Pply^wSd The Secretary of the TuapeUH^iff^ r£if'Aii ll T^ state tha *"the Govern.. to~^ mt M d tt l °^ ec^iriehd'the.Council SbboS 7 u m6 iu this »S»^3. On the 25th inst., we are infoimed a foot race will be run in the neighborhood of Lawrenc» between Dan Arkinstall and William Robins, for £50 a side -the distance to be 100 yards, and Arkinstall to give Kobins five yards of a start. , Mr. George Webb, has backed Kobins, and paid" £5 down. ' On Monday evening a public Meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, to hear a statement by Mr. Gilbert, regarding the Seaman's BJission at Port Chalmers, and to Ijake into consideration the best means for supporting the same. Dr. Copland occupied the chair. The amount subscribed by the various emigrant ships that came into Port Chalmers during the year, was £25. The captain of the William Davie was always very friendly to,' the mission ; he would say to, his, craw— " Well, my boys,' I'm going to give a £1 to the Seaman's Mission^, what are you going to give ?" One would say " Hajf-a-crawn," and another " Half-a-crowni" until the sum of £4 or thereabouts would be raised. Other captains, again, would be quite indifferent, and when that was the case the crew were generally afflicted in the same manner. Dunedin was the great stronghold for the support of the mission, but Oamaru had promised very fairly. Mr. Elder and others then had promised to raise £50 a-year to the funds. A Committee of the following gentlemen, as representing the different churches, was then appointed, with power to add to their number : —Messrs. , Jamesqn, Borton, and Tonks., Mr. Jameson to be convener. ' This Committee to take such : steps as they thought advisable in helping on the work of the mission. We had almost given up hopes of the Government taking any. steps towards repairing the road between Lawrence and Waipori, even after we had repeatedly drawn attention to its impassable condition, wW wo toato ugreoably surprised lately in our journey to Waipori, to observe the tents of the roadsmen and the deep ruts filled up for several miles. We did not, however, anticipate thavt after once tackling the work they would only do a patch at each end, and leave several; miles untouched in the centre, the Very worst part of the road. * The improvement which has been made, when the winter sets in, will only prove a swamp. Travellers and draymen finding a comparatively good road part of the way, will find themselves deceived when the snow fills the ruts and entraps them, resulting in broken legs, broken vehicles, and other unexpected mishaps. A few days more work would have completed the road, and we can only regret the men have been taken from it before it was finished. We trust the Govern- j ment >will see the absolute necessity of completing the work, before the winter makes it impossible for it to be done. Baptist and party, Baker's Point, Waipori, have cbnstructed a very ingenious method of water supply. It is in the form of a hydraulic tank made of wood tongued and grooved, with hose attached, by which means they get the necessary pressure. The invention we understand is entirely new, ■ and the credit alone is due to Baptist and party. Wb have the satisfaction to state, that the total amount realised; . by the Lawrence Church of England Bazaar came to the handsome sum of £207. For the information of those interested in the Church, in this locality, we may enumerate the total amount of re- I ceipts realised from each stall r — No. 1. Mrs. Meyers and Mrs. Hall, assisted by the Misses Treweek, L 72 7s. No. 2. Mrs. Wootten, as- ! slated by Misses Evans and Tuckejr, L4l 0s 6d. j No. 3. Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Keen, assisted ! by Miss Clark, L3l Os. 9d. ' No. 4. Mrs. Searle and Mrs. Ochiltree, assisted by Misses Hamilton 'and Fowler, L2B. No. 5. Mrs. Tuckey, refreshment stall, L 4 7s. 6d. No. 6. Mrs. Tyler, fruit stall, Ll2 14s. 6d. Door, Ll6 16s. The Bazaar, then, we may state, has proved a decided suqcess, having fully ( accomplished the end the Church Cozdmittf had in view. Ik our advertising columns will be * jen an advertisement of Mr. James M'CoH w ho h* 8 lately received an Auctioneer's li«ense for the Tapanui district. His first s»V of horses and cattle comes off on the 2nd of June, at the Tapanui Yards, Tapanui when a good opportunity will be offered -fa) the settlers, not only of obtaining g«od, servicable hacks, but good stock. W<» have repeatedfy seen the disadvantages under which up-country districts have been placed, for the want of an auctioneer; on that account we trust he will receive that encouragement at the f hands of the settlers which the bold step he has taken really merits. Combining Land and Commission Agency with his business as Auctioneer, we would consider such a gentleman a valuable acquisition to Tapanrii. .■■',. We shall not be able to give a full report of the Lawrence Water Works ,tIU our next issne. We may, however, state that the pipes were tested on Monday, and found id be secure. The water has been running through them off and on during the week., but i,t will be some days before the sediment of the new race and reservoir subsides. We shall expect to see the water flowing in a purt eryitel rtr*MK ia the «««m«f»f»wd*Tf.

°* Thursday night the annual general mccl Ing in connection with the Presbyterian Church Waitahuna, was held in the schoolroom, for thi purpose of. electing a Committee of Ma^e ment for the, ensuing year., The Her Dr, Copland was in the chair. Tne treasurer o! the retiring Committee read a statement of tin receipts and expenditure during the past year, from which it appeared that there had been collected by subscription for the Suateaation Fund, the sum of £52 lls., and that th« Church door collections amounted to £27 11*. Bd.rmalringTa total ol receipts, £80 fc. Bd. Of this there had been patfto the general Suatenation Fund the' sum of £X n S ., and there w expended for missionary and" congregational purposes, £17 13s:, leaving a balance in. th« hands of the treasurer, of £9 18s. Ba. ifo f o j. lowin&gentlemen Were 3fdectedta*. a Cftuftdtitea : —Messrs. M'Hattie, Bar*, Dunn; OJarke, BdW Winning, Auld, Buahe, and M'Newr. Bubqlabdes, like other crimes seldom com* single-handed. It was only the 'other week w* had to report a burglary on the premises of Messrs. Herbert and Co.; this week we have to report another, on the premises of Messrs. H« Tie & Co:, merchants, at the Chinese township. Tuapeka Flat. Onthenjghj; of Thursday, or morning of yesterday, Mr. Wong 0^ senior partner in the firm, discovered that a hole had been made in the.ohimney^ in the rear ofth» premises, arid £19 in notes abstracted from » drawerin the bedroom table. This, top, murt have been done when two of the inmates wer* asleep. The chimney being made of bricks, and loosely • plastered, could be easily taken to pieces without causing much noise. ,. On<j& having a hole made sufficient to admit anyone into the back kitchen, there was no barrier in tb» way of the burglar, as none of the apartment* :had doors oh them, so that fre* access could bt had to' alTthe stores. Butthe :burglar in thi» case wa» not apparently in quest, of goods, but n\oney, and that he could only obtain in th« bedroom whera he found the £19. Mr. Wong On informed us that the iron safe,, which stand* underneath, the bedroom table, had also been tried, but without success, '.the opening of • safe being a very dangerous operation so closa to the bedside of those who might have applied I Lynch law had they wakened. We are no* aware that Mr. Wong On has suspicion of any particular person ; but he fully believes that th» burglary was not committed by a European - and circumstances would seem to point to som» Chinaman who is considerably acquainted with the premises. We would remind our Lawrence and Wetherstones readers that ' the second Sixpenny Reading under the auspices of the Wetherston©B School Committee, will take place on Wednesday, the J3th insfe, in the Schoolroom. Th» harmonium has arrived, and Mr. Marriott considers it a good one, and well tuned. This of itself will be an attraction at the future entertainments in conneeiinn with the School. -g A Meeting of the cemetery trustees called for last evening lapsed, for wanfrof^. qi-o-um. We shouldlike' to see the trusses '»X 7p. pointed show, some energy in th ditcpar of their duties, as we think there is * - improvement in' the way in which husiu. , con.nected with the cemetery has lately been conducted. It is surely time a sexton was appointed to attend to the.cemeterjr. We learn that the Eev. Mr. Martin, accompanied by Mr. Roberts, runholder, visited Tapanui on the 14th instant, and taking advantage of hia timely visit, members of th* Church of England in the locality had n\ fewer than seven children baptized. There ara^ some forty members of the Church of England > in the Tapanui district, and we- understand they expressed themselves as most anxious th&t Mr. Martin would pay them an occasional visit in order that they might receive the rights of the Church, and they hope the' Church in Law. rence will not be jealous of them in thai* modest vdsh, We observe that Mr. Mackney has alreadycommenced his contract for the Tuapekat Athenaeum. In the course of three weeki, w* may expect to see the brickwork nearly completed. ,