COAL CREEK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 182, 3 August 1871, Page 6

COAL CREEK.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Before my last communication could have reached your office, a sudden aud heavy rise in tbe Molyneux put a stop to the cheerful anticipations I ventured to indulge, in respect to the lowness of the river. Many of tbe beach-workers got just sufficient indications of what they might expect if the river remained down for a few weeks, to put them in good humour, and <it the sime time make them apprehensive of the slightest change or softening in the weather. The miners liere cultivate a hopeful disposition, and console themselves, under the disappointment caused by the floods, by reflecting that no matter how sudden the rise in the river — thanks to the telegraph, and other precautions used — nothing like the loss coraraon in former years can now occur. I had occasioii in my last to refer to the enterprise of Jlr. Robert Ayling. In conversation with him subsequently, he informed me that he had just completed arrangements for prospecting Coal Creek. From the great depth of gravel in the bed, this will be a work of difficulty, but of its ultimate siuuess in the hinds of its energetic projector, I have not the slightest doubt. I ascertained from Mr. J. M'Loughlin, of Shingle Creek, during a recent

visit, that in company with two others, be is about to start prospecting that cveek. " The nature of the bed is much the same as Co il Creek, and efficient pumping gear will be the chief desideratum in working satisfactorily this long-talked-of project. I cannot help thinking that Mr. M'Loughlin, in erecting his commodious hotel, displays considerably more faith in the future of Shingle Creek than the squatter whose run surrounds this modest pioneer settlement. After wishing Mr. M'Lohgblin the success he deserves in a drop of of Talisker, I proceeded to Chauionuix, a place which I had not seen for some considerable time, and the name of which, although at one time well known as a thriving township at the foot of the Old Man Range, whence provisions were packed to Campbells and Poina haka, is now almost forgotteu. Few people would imagine that in Otago thei'e had been a township having bakeries, stores, hotels, and other places of accommodation, of which hardly a trace is now to be found ; and yet, on revisiting the site of Chamonuix recently, 1 could with difficulty find even any ruins by which to identify the place. I do not know who bestowed that name upon this little township, but of one thing- I am certain, it could not have been Che Waste Laud Board, for anything so appropriate (having the beautiful Alpine sceneiy of the place in view) could never have been imagined by that bluudering body. By the way, I have heard it asserted that in naming new towns, &\i., the plau the Board adopts is to take some old Scotch Gazuteer, and opening at random, select the first name on the right or left hand page, as may be previously determined on. Should this be so, it explains the ridiculously inappropriate names bestowed on most places on the goldfields. Some time ago the runholders in this neighbourhood applied for a pre-emptive right to 640 acres of land, compi'ising one of the finesfc coal beds in the province. In accordance with the provisions of tht Agricultural leasing .Regulations, numerous objections were lodged with the Warden against such right being granted. No time has yet been fixed for hearing those objections, and I now hear it whispered that the matter was, with careful foresight, arranged by the Cargill Ministry just prior to their being ousted from office. If this report is correct, I think the Govermrenfc have made a mistakp, eaeing that the Warden only has the power under the above-mentioned regulations to grant the application, after duly hearing and disposing of objections na court, the time of holding which should be notified to the objectors. What with disappointments arising from dependence on the tickle Molyneux, and an equally vacillating Government, the residents here have ample opportunities of cultivating that most asinine of good qualities — patience. Our quid omnes are on the gui vive in regar.l to tbe resolution of the Go-

verhment to sell 50,000 acres of land . 1 n one block, to relieve their impovertih&lt exchequer. I see tbe keynote has been already struck in apprehension of Moa Flat being made the scene of

operations. Of one thing lam certain, i should' such turn but to be the case: tie storm of honest execration which, •will be raised will put the lively proceedings in connection with tbe Island „ Block transaction .in the shade, and; .jMaeandrew 'will b&held np as a pure- ; minded ' patriot compared with the. ' active agpnfc in this proposed new con- ! ©asaion to the squatting party. I no- j lice -the ledouhtable Member for Mount"! I3»> Mr. Meprvjn, stoutly supporting' 1 ibis contemplated wholesale spoliation. ' Thai gentleman Las acquired suoh in unenviable reputation for vacillation' and fickleness, that hia .conduct in this Hotter has taken no person here by' ; surprisa Again we find him in the ranks .of the squatting party, adroitly J taking advantage of a thinly attended House, when many of the country Members were absent, by" proposing* and 'carrying a motion increasing the' compensation to be paid to bis new ' friends, in th& event of portions of their runs being token from them for settlement from J0& (tbe sum proposed by

the Government in their Land Bill) to Is. 3d. per acre— just 50 per cent. more. I wonder what his constituents at Mount Ida will think of his conduct in this matter, when chey recall to mind the profuse promises and pledges which he scattered broadcast on the hustings, and now his base desertion to the enemy.

On tli? night of Saturday last a very singular appearance was visible in the south-eastern sky, at about twenty minutes past eleven o'clock. Tt resembled the aurora Australis, with this very remarkable difference, that instead of " dancers " radiating at right angles to the horizon, they were horizontal — presenting the appearance of waves of smoke rapidly rising over a dull, redish ground, deepening to crimson a little later. It lasted about twenty minutes. Meteors have been frequent of late.

On Tuesday night a distant report, similar to the firiug of a heavy piece of artillery, was heard, but unaccompanied with any shock. I have not heard any explanation of the probable cause.