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Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 368, 27 June 1874, Page 3

p The use- of dynamite as an explosive in •Sen of blasting powder has often been advocated, but there appears to be a prejudice ;against it on the part of miners generally, because they consider it more dangerous than jpowder. Such, however, is not the case, and |we (Thames Advertiser) are surprised that it 'has not been brought into general use. It is a more powerful explosive than powder, and is much less dangerous. ' In fact, it is a harmless mixture, which, if lighted at a candle wiU merely smoulder away like a ;piece of cork, and emit no blaze. Mr. Hall ins had a cartridge tried in the Golden Hill nine, where it was found to answer admirably. A great saving of expenditure would be effected if this explosive was brought into 'Snore general use. It does not require such .'large holes as blasting powder ; there can be no explosions from tamping bars or from ■,cnt fuse, for no tamping is necessary. The cartridge is affixed to the fuse, upon which the percussion cap is fixed, and is then 'dropped into the hole which is filled with water, except of course the roof holes, where sand can be used instead of water. There is no dynamite to be obtained at the Thames, but we think it would pay merchant? to import it. Mr. Hall brought a few cartridges with him, and it was one of these that was used in the Golden Hill mine last week

: We extract the following items from the \ u Daily Times " Melbourne correspondent : — | A distressing narrative is brought back from King's Island by ' those who went down M the Government steamer Pharos to visit the scene of the wreck of the ill-fated ship

fßritish Admiral. Corpses were found lying ! oa the shore' amidst cases of tobacco, barrels [-of beer, cases of drapery, and miscellaneous [ wreckage, and here and there would be seen ! •' rough grave where the hunters resident on the island had scraped a hole in the sand and H interred one of the bodies. Nothing has yet been done for the relief , of the unfortunate [people who were rescued, and who arrived |m Melbourne destitute and penniless. — For another case of extreme distress great ; efforts have been made, and a very satisfactory measure of success has been attained. 1 1 think I mentioned the case of the young ' boys, named Burns, who lost both their arms ; by injuries received while playing in a bark ' ffliD, and' also the subscriptions that were ' being got up for them in the State and other . schools. It is pleasant to see that these sub- I . Kriptions have been successful in a degree I beyond what could have been hoped. Every dij subscriptions are announced in the J Argus, the fruits of collections at various schools, and ranging generally from £5 to I £20. One school distinguished itself by subi scribing and collecting no lest than £140 — C the boys not only subscribing their own ' money, but appointing themselves collectors .and canvassing the whole neighbourhood. s There is every appearance now to show that a ' substantial turn will be collected, and a " good provision be made for these most un- ' 4 fortunate boys." —"A singular disapr peareance of a girl has attracted a good deal lof notice. About a fortnight ago' a young ; lady of about 17 years of age, for some small | fault was rebuked at the school at East Mcl- : bourne, at which she was a boarder. She I seemed to take the scolding very much to \ hear!, and seized an early opportunity to i steal away form the school. Since that time i the has not been heard of. Her relatives are S*ery wealthy people, and have not spared money in searching for the girl and advertising for her far and wide, besides offering a 4- liberal rewar-1 for any information leading to recovery. But up to the present, nothing •earns to have been ascertained respecting her movements after leaving the school, It . w indeed stated that there are rumors that that she his been seen at BaUarat, bat they djo not appear to be authenticated, Fears being entertained that she might have comttitted suicide by drowning the Police have » Wn employed in dragging the river. With ■11 flu* searching, nothing definite can be J«»rned to throw any light onthis ■ingular IW»puurancc; • •' 7*