DRYBREAD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 239, 29 August 1872, Page 6

DRYBREAD.

(From our own Gorrespmuknt). August 16.

■ Mining news in this district is not exciting — we go along very quietly, and it is hard to say what is doing, as we are so often knocked off with the frost. These few days back have, however, given an appearance of some good washings at Christmas. All the hills in this locality, and even the flats, fare, covered with (snow — the latter, m'some places to the depth of four inches, The miners, although for the time being idle, do not regret the holidays, as the frost will prevent a sudden flood, and secure them steady water as soon as the thaw sets in. „,

We have no regular mails here now, but we cannot blame the contractors, as. the roads are in a fearful mess. I know that Mr. Mellor, the mail contractor from here to Blacks and Tinker?, has been forced to go to the former place ' (a distance of 12 miles) twice, on several occasions ere the mail 'arrived. Now, with the poor subsidies that are given for mail conveyance, this kind of thing is very hard on the contractors in up-country districts, where the roads are so heavy. We had a visit on Friday, from Murray's Circus. The attendance was very good indeed, but owing to the stormy weather on Saturday, it was found necessary to "take in sail," so we had no performance, which was rather unfortunate for the management, as there was a good muster from Blacks and the surrounding district, ■ . Sporting again ! Since my last, we have had another meeting, with following results :— 'Mr. J. Mellor's Merry'las'g (with J, McGregor up), against

Mr. C. White's black pony, Miss Grant — r the, jatter, carrying . three stone less than the Lass; once round the course, about one mile and a quarter — £10 a-side. It was a good race at the .finish ; Mellor's mare won by a length, but the weight (12 stone) was beginning to tell on her, and the knowing ones were inclined to think that the black pony would have stood a good show had she a little further to go, and been better handled. A handicap pony rage was afterwards run, when Miss Grant won the money. To keep up the excitement, and in fact, the character of Drybread as a sporting piace, another match came off on Saturday, between Mr. J. Mellor's ("Dry bread), Trotting Tommy, to jump a grey horse of Mr. Murray's (Circus), for £25 a-side; the first horse that baulked to forfeit the stakes. Both horses latterly struck the fence, a good sod one, nd the stakes were drawn.

There was some talk lately of an amateur performance for the benefit of the district school, but the weather has, I expect, put a damper on the affair, as I heard no more about it. I trust, however, that tbe good resolution once formed, will not be shelved, and that we may have a goodly sum to hand over to the school committee from the entertainment. We have a good schoolmaster in Mr. Sercoinbe, and ,it is the duty of parents and others interested in the place to make up a sufficient salary to retaim him in the district.