LOCAL AND MINING.

West Coast Times, Issue 30, 12 August 1865, Page 2

LOCAL AND MINING.

* A nanow escape from drowning took placo in our harbour, on Wednesday last, on board tho Mary Williams. Shortly afte^? leaving the wharf, tho mate and ono of the scaroon foil overboard, whether throngh accidont or carelessness on their part does not appear. Tho Captain immediately throw thorn a couple of oars, which thoy fortunately succeeded in grasping. Tho instant it was seen from tho shore two boats put. off, and rescued thorn, thus preventing two more names from being added to tho long list of casualties that havo occurred in tho river. Tho Mary Williams proceeded to sea afterwards without them. The sale of tho cargo saved from tho wreck of tho Now Zealand took placo on Thursday, at tho beach. Most of the articles put up, although considerably damnged, realising fair prices. Our old favorito tho Wallaby, Captain Whitwoll, arrived safely in tho harbour on Wednesday last, and, after discharging hor cargo, proceeded to soft again on Thursday. Sho intends putting iv at tho Bullor to rcceivo Mr Mcrrit, tho Government Inspector, who has proceeded thoro overland from the Grey. Tho p.s. Ynrrn, Captain Nicoll, has not been idlo sinco hor arrival hero from Melbourne. On Wednesday sho towed outwards tho Mary Williams, bringing in, on hor return, tho Caledonia. On Thursday sho towed out tho Cymraes, Dart, nnd Jane Lookhart, nnd brought in the Maid of Erin, all of whioh vobbols blio handled in splendid stylo, proving hoisolf ovory way fitted for tho trndo sho is engaged in, nnd supplying a want that has long beon felt in Ilokitika. Owing to a typographical owor in our last wo havo unintentionally been guilty of an in justice towards tho Yarra. Wo said that sho left Melbourne' on tho 21st July in liou of tho 28th ; also thu< sho was only of 25 horso powor, when 35 is tho-ipropor figuro,' nnd being oapabloof working up to 00. Wo trust that tho Yarra may long romain in our nators and provo, as no doubt sho will, ns profitable to her ownors ns blio will of sorvico to tho lnct'pnntilo community, Tho jiccosaity pf a atrlot examination into tho Bcaworth nc'HH ot tho nuinoro'm small coasters plying in New Jjealimd waters hns beon often strongly commo.uW/1 upon, and every day affords nn ndditionnl proof Jif such uood. Wo consider the subject of such iiniWsmoo Hint woahft.ll nmko no apology for tho folio iW rather lengthy extract from tho " Nolson

Examiner" on the late wreck of tho schooner Mary in Totarauni. She was bound to this port with a cargo of of sawn timber. The writer (Mr Gibbs, a resident at Totarauni,) Bays :—" Last month this boat, while anchored hore, was very leaky, with a pump whioh would not act ; and yet, after returning to Nolson, and receiving, as I havo heard, serious damago in her hull, sho is sent, after somo slight repairs, on her voyago again, with the same imperfect implement ; and, when off Cape Farewell, with a fair wind, was in danger of sinking, tho water gaining so rapidly on her, that it was found impossible) to kcop it down with this vory rotten contrivance ; and then, during this dreadful state of things, with a chango of wind tho boom of tho mainsail broke, and the vessel was obliged to return here. Before repairs could bo made, an east wind springing up, and tho anchor dragging, tho captain was obliged to try and go to sea, in doing which sho missed stays twice through tho want of tho mainsail, and got on the beach. And now it became apparent how frail and rotten a thing tho Mary was, for in less than three hours, with comparatively little surf on tho beach, sho became a total wreck, breaking up entirely. Tho wind and sea increased af forwards, strewing tho beach from end to end with the cargo of timber, tho bulk of which is broken nnd split into small pieces. I fear I shall fail in my description of the state of the planks and timbers of this very un seaworthy vessol, and should really wish that a section of tho sides could bo exhibited in town. The planks, in sorao places, aro vory much liko a picco of sponge, and tho timbers, where not quite rotten, aro so split with continued nailing, that thoir power of holding tho vessel togothor aro very alight indeed." It appears vory doubtful if we shall see tho steamer Nelson hero again, as the owners appear inclined to, wind up tho affaii'3 of 'the company, against whioh course the " Examiner " makes somo very pertinent nnd sensible remarks,' urging thoimmonso profits to bo derived from this trade, and the comparatively little risk. Tho steamer has had a survey hold on hor sinco her arrival in Nelson, and the necessary ropairs avo now being proceeded with. For tho want of an efficient tug, somo of the craft brought in since tho arrival of tho Yarra, have been at sea an incredible length of time — sufficient, ono would havo thought, to tire out tho patience of every ono concerned. Still, wo suppose, tho trade pays, as wo notice a number of craft laid on again for this port, among which may bo noticed tho schooner Threo Sisters, which has safoly arrived at Invercargill, after a quick run of eight days. The Florenco is also laid on from Melbourne, the Wild Wave from Lyttelton, tho United Brothers and Bruce from Dunedin, besides several others. Another addition to the ranks of journalism has been made, in the shapo of the " Wanganui Times," the first number of which wo hereby beg to acknowledge It is very creditably got up, and edited, wo believe, by a gentloman of acknowledged ability in his profession. Wo sincerely wish it overy success. A meceing of the Improvement Committeo was hold at Bracken's Hotel, on Thursday evening. Present — Messrs Hawkos, Palmer, Harding, .Bracken and Prossc. It was resolved that a sub-committee bo appointed, consisting of Messrs Hawkes and Prosser, for tho purposo of winding up tho concert arrangements in aid of the Hospital ; and that tho sub-committee as above wait on tho Auction Committee, appointed at the public mooting, to UMiortnin what stcp3 they aro taking to carry out via object! " ot tnat meeting! '*'n was" also proposeu tlmt Messrs Jlawkes and Harding be added to tho committeo, 'to not in concert with Messrs Prosser iind Bracken in collecting rates iv ltovoll-strcet. Carried. Tho Committee had thought it unnecessary to collcot subscriptions hitherto, on account of tho population having left for the Grey, but now determined to push forward] the collecting as was originally intended. st, No littlo alarm, was created about 7 o'olock on Thursday evening, in Rovoll street, by tho cry of fire, whioh arose in tho vicinity of Braokon's Hotel. A chimney belonging to Dr J. 11. Ryloy had takon fire, and omitted a lurid glare, making it appear as if tho roof was in flames. Mr Chamberlain, of this town, happening to be present, with praiseworthy alacrity sprang at once on tho roof, and by an onorgetic kick put an end to what might havo proved a serious conflagration. We may remark, by the way, on tho very dangerous state of the majority of tho chimneys in this town, and tho habitual careless use of fire, which must sooner or latter induce a terriblo conflagration. Should a firo break out in ono of tho closely packod buildings in Revoll strcot, wo shudder to think of the consequences that must onsue. We havo no moans to oheck its progress ; and wo think ono of tho first acts that our Improvement Committoo should undertako should be the formation of an efficient fire-Uvigado, aud the possession of a suitable eng mo. / Wo learn that the Cyraraes, tho Eleanor, the City of Nolson, tho Jano Anno, and tho Flying Squirrel crossed the Grey bar in safety yesterday morning, and have commenced discharging their cargoes. Wo understand that tho contraot for the formation of tho main road to Ohristchurch, between tho beach and tho saddle has beon signod, and tho con. tractors — Messrs. Armitago — will immediately commenco operations. step at least towards the construction of a ano of telegraph to Christchurch has been taken— namely, tho erection of a "Tolograph office," as a boldly-painted sign ovor a small building next tho Post oflico proclaims. Tbatoher supposes that a certain police ofliccr of this town is styled a detcotivo becauso " nothing ho's dotectcd yot 5" and tho snmo reason wo supposo has induced tho authorities to stylo tho above small building n, telegraph office, because thoro is no tolcgraph yot in oxistenco. Wo are willing, howover, to accept even this small instalment as a sign that tho work has not been altogothor lost sight of, nnd trust sincoroly that it will bo speedily pushed forward, to a successful termination. \ Tho Roy. G. S. Harper will preaoh at tho Corinthian Hall, Rovoll-street, (it 11 a.m., and 7 p.m. to-morrow, Sunday, 13th inst. a,*' Tho steamer Wallaby, which loffc on Thursday for., Nolson, took away 1723 ozs gold, tho produoo of the Grey field, and which of courso paid duty to tho Nelson province. Tho banks havo promptly established agenoics on tho Grey, and wo. understand are ntso about to do tho samo at the rush to th,e south. Tho Wallaby, in addition to tho above, Wok 9276 ozj, tho produoo of tho Hokitika goldfiolds. > At a mooting hold at tho Waimoa, on Monday, it was rcsolvod to prcsont ft moinorial to tho Governmont, asking for tho expenditure of L 350 in order to comploto tho present track to that important field. This demand io certainly moderate enough, if wo t:\ko into consideration tho fact that till lately tho Waimoa was tho most important field on tlio West Coast, and tho rovenuo derived from thorp must amount to a very conajdorablo sum ; while,! if we mistake not, all tho monoy expended ou thdabovo track docs not exceed what is now dcinandod. |

Frotn the Kanieri wo Lear that although the drain upon its population through tlio southern, rush has \ieen very great, works there are still being prosecuted with activity and success. Pumping gear in almost universally adopted by tho holders of good claims that are situated iv the wet ground, not tho Californian, but tho common break pump. In some instances fly-wheols, as reservoirs of power, are attached, the pump worked on the rotary principle, and apparently with the happiest results, if tho largo streams of water that flow therefrom aro allowed as evidence. There is no decrease ,in tho yield from the good ground, but of course thcro will bo a great falling off in tho weekly return of gold through tho sudden diminution in the population o£ this field . Hawkes and party, on tho river bank, and the holders of the adjacent claims aro making the most of present opportunities, apparently well understanding tho instability of the exceeding fine weather wo have been blessed with during the past weok or two. Several of tile claims situated on the flat immediately in front of the township, that were deserted tho other day in consequenco of the excess of wator, havo beon again taken up, and are now being systematically worked. Slabbing from tho surface, and iron mounted windlasses is the order of the day. It is to bo hoped that the persevering owners will be well paid for their enterprise. Thoro is but littlo doubt of that if thoy can only succeed in reaching tho main bottom, which is supposed to lie about forty feet from tho surface. The accounts from tho Eight-Mile are to tho effect that its desertion by tho miners to tho south is almost complete), ono or two parties alone being lnft. Prntn Woodstock the reports aro satisfactory. It is truo that it suffers like the rest, through tho drain upon its community, bnt much gold is weekly extraotod, and the lead in the Maori Kcserve is steadily progressing j two ounces to tho load is tho roturn from tho last claim that has struck gold. This locality has ovory appearance of permanonco. A considerablo number of shares on the Kanieri have changed hands during tho past week. Tho prices havo ranged from £5 to <Cl5O, but the buyers havo in most instances been tho greatest gainers, tho sellers being dazzled by tho Totara rush. Ono instance has been brought under our notico of tho "dead take in" of an unfortunate wight, who having been so fortunate, (?) as he thought, to strike payable ground down south, came back in a hurry and sold his share in a golden hole here to the party who represented it for him during his absonco. The prico was L2O. They havo since [that sunk a littlo deeper, struck another layer, and tho result was 42ozs to the paddock, with a prospect of nine months work. Tho lucky claim down south is not so rich, and is expected to last six weeks ! Commont is needless. We havo much pleasure in recording tho formation of a prospecting party, for the purposo of testing tho auriforous capabilities of tho upper portion of tho rivor Grey and its numerous tributaries. Messrs Hides, Yogel, and pavty, are now employed building a boat, which they- expect to havo completed tho early part of next week, and they then intend to tako two months' provisions, and give the country a thorough trial. Wo beliove tho speculation to bo a good one, and wish them every success. There is every probability that tho Kanieri district will be able to exult in the introduction of tho first water wheel on tho West Coast. A party of Kniorald Islanders, whoso claim is situated on Comnifosioner'a Flat, are now busily employed- in making j preliminary preparations for this very economical ans-{, -fiiSies'&'ry** u^n^cT"^6T^Tvm : lußg"p3nips"r^TiiL > ir workings aro 20 feent deep, and an thoy cannot get bufticient full for their tail rac?, they havo decidedto employ wator power and machinery. Thoy have six feet of wash dirt, and havo obtained very fair prospects ; and as tho flat is unworkable by the ordinary methods employed by gold miners, every encouragement should -bo given to them, for such a display of enterprise and perseverance, in developing tho resources of what would otherwise be a duffer flat to the Provincial Exchequer. Mr Salo might, wo think, without any fear of founding a dangerous precedent, grant these useful members of tho mining community an extension of ground. Wo hear such, has been applied for and refused. It would bo only a grateful acknowledgment on his part of tho sorvico rendered by them to the Pro- ' vince, and it is a concession that thoy have almost a.*/ right to demand. Of what use is diapretionary power to a Wardon if ho does not n^O^SO pf 16.0 - X casionally ? Whilst writing of mining plant we"eM^ # not help remarking upon an improvement made by an ingenious miner, upon tho ordinary cradle. The* one in question is made upon tho prlnoiplo of tho puddling maohino oradlo ; it has six slides, and works on iron spindles instead of rockers, firmly fixed in a largo horizontal frame, to whioh, and at the head of tho cradlo is attaohed a small pump for supplying it with water. Ono man turns a beam with two cranks, and a small flywheel aotingas regulator, both rocks tho cradlo and works the pump, thus effecting a clear saving of ono man's labor. It is expected that two men with this cradle will wash as much dirt in a day as three with tho ordinary tluice box in tho samo space of time. Our correspondent writes :—": — " • And tho cry is still thoy go.' Truly tho JCani&r£ at ,Jhe present time presents but a ruoful appenrri'iico, suffering an it docs from tho worst of all maladies incidental to n young goldfield, viz — yellow fever introduced from a distance Tho exodus to tho South during tho past week has been almost uninterrupted 5 daily havo excited individuals been observed to tear down their habitations, and having made up huge bundles, burden thcmselvos therewith, and turn their faces Hokitikawards. Storekeepers stand at thoir doorways with faces as long as theft . prices, and with tears in their eyes watoh thU''ob*ii of the human tide, and doubtless, keonly feel tho truth of ,„> tho aphorism, that thoro is nothing sure in this ' ; world save death and tho taxgatherer. Ono individual, with frantic gestures was heard to exclaim "thoy aro all mad, by G— d I" and then ho ruhscd frantically into tho darkness of his storo and buried himself thoroin. Thoy may, however, comfort thomsolvcs with tho reflection that tho tido will again flow. Tho workings which bnt tho othor day were swarmiug with lifo and industry now by comparison appear almost desortcd ; small wages claims aro scornfully rejected, and oven shareholders in tho rich ground, in tho last stago of the disease, havo engaged wages men to work during their ahsenco, and started with tho rest for tho Southern Dorado. As the accounts from thenco continue most favorable, wo hourly expect that tho business folk will bo stricken iv their turn, and be off nftor thoir supporters. Truo was tho roinark mado tho othor day by a miner in a grumbling tono of voice, that 'in this country a man need Hvo with hi 3 swag always on his back.' "

At a recent PAmian bal coslumo a lady appeared in tho costume of a heathen goddess, and, to render tho dress moro classically correct and striking, the / fair mid l^shfti! dame appeared in Naturo's stock- / ings, l'roia tho bottom of tho tunio downward. Sand\ls she 'wore, nnd no more, It was considered I quits p. sncce,;« I ' \ \ I N '