ROXBURGH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 127, 14 July 1870, Page 5

ROXBURGH.

(From our own Correspondent.)

I have to report a most unsatisfactory state of affairs in this district, the grand winter support, viz., the river, having disappointed everybody by rising to what would be called a large summer flood. The damage done here ha 3 not been very great. Woodhouse and party lost both their water wheels, and some of the other parties lost a few boxes. The dredge known as Ward's, sunk during the flood, the man in charge being asleep on board

of her at the time, and had a very narrow escape, the water being in his cabin before he knew anything about it. The dredge is a total loss, but hopes are entertained of being able to save the machinery. The wet weather caused considerable damage to the water races in the Teviot Gorge, the face of the hill where they are brought along being of a very loose nature. The wet caused a considerable landslip damaging, more or less, all the races, thus adding to the damage, expense, and loss of time caused by the rise in the river, and making everybody pull a long face. If money matters are mentioned, the only reply you will get is, " The river is up ;" and the worst of it is it does not appear in any hurry to go down, it is only falling by inches as yet, but hopes are entertained now of a speedy fall, as sharp frosts have set in these last few nights. Owing to the rise, a great many of the men who were depending on work in the claims, have left the district for the Hogbxim, &c, making every day in the township look like Sunday.

An old soldier has been making the rounds of the district, looking after slygrog selling, he nabbed Wo parties not far from here, who were duly fined £20 each.

The news from over the range is not any better than that on the river. Some of the parties are doing a little, but, taking the summer floods there into account, there has been nothing done all last season.

There was a report current here that a man had been swept down the river in a boat from the Horse Shoe Bend, but I am glad to state that such was not the case.

The establishment of the courthouse on the west bank of the river is now settled ; the building is now in course of erection, and will be linished in a few weeks.

There was a slight shock of an earthquake felt here about a quarter past three last Sunday afternoon, accompanied by a loud rumbling noise like thunder. The noise was heard frequently during the day, but unaccompanied by any shock.

M'Carthy summoned the man who slept in his building that was burned some time ago, and got a verdict for £20. I am afraid the verdict is all he will get, as the man has not the wherewithal to Pay-