OTAGO.

West Coast Times, Issue 45, 16 September 1865, Page 2

OTAGO.

Tho " Dunstan Times " says that " Messrs. Thompson aud Co., and Bowatcr and Co., of Alexandra, havo just completed a new power wheel, to be worked by the current of the Molyneux. It is to bo used in draining a claim at Conroy's Beach. The wheel is five feet in diameter, and resembles a three-bladed screw propeller." Tenders have been invited by tho Government for the completion of the road between Queenstown and Frankton. This is tho last link in the chain of communication bctivccu Dunedin and Queenstown, and when added, the road can be opened through. Letters have reached Dunedin from Mr. Vincent Pykc, under date 31st August. The party had reached Lake Wannka, in good health, and wore to start that day for the head of the lake. Maori Jack was added to their number, thus increasing it to seven. Tho weather was fine, and favorable for travelling.

The " Lake Wakatip Mail," of September 2nd, says : — " We arc happy to state that at the .site of tho newly-dis-covered reef at Skipper's, three miles from the Scandinavian, very excellent stone has been struck in the Prince of Wales claim. We also hear that the Criterion Company, after turning the Shotover, have struck excellent gold." The " Dunstun Times" of tho 2nd instant relates that " a robbery took place a few days ago at the accommodation house kept by Mrs. rotter, at the Upper Taieri, The following are the circumstances as reported to us: — Mr John Angus, formerly of Queenstown, slept ono night at the house mentioned. He had with him at the time the sum of LBO in notes, which ho kept in a pocket book. On his rising in the morning he found that four LlO notes had been abstracted. Information of the robbery was at once given to the tlio police, and constable Finnigan came to the accommodation house to make enquiries. A man named M'Donald, a servant to Mrs. Potter, was suspected, and he was accordingly watched. It was ascertained that ho had paid one LlO note to a person for a horse, and when he was questioned about this, suspicion of his being tho thief was further strengthened by his denial of' having paid tho money in question. A diligent search was made about Mrs. Potter's promises for the remainder of tho missing money, and at last it was found concealed in an out-houso that is sometimes used as a sleeping place for travellers. The man M'Donald was nrrested and taken to the lock-up at Hamilton's."