THE TOTARA.

West Coast Times, Issue 600, 27 August 1867, Page 4

THE TOTARA.

(prom: the noss guardian, august 24.)

A very handsome gold hunting watch lias been presented to Mr Whitehair, late manager of the Scandinavian Gold M'niiu- Company, accompanied with tlic following testimonial :— " Sir — We have been requested by a number of our fellow workmen in the Scandinavian Gold Mining Company's employ to obtain and prespnt to you some maik of respect on the occasion of your leaving us, ond we therefore present you with this English gold hunting lever watch, as a memorial of our regard, and of the satisfaction we have felt in working under your direction. We also wish you every success in your new undertaking, and beg to assure you that in your future career our good wishes will follow you." We congratulate Mr Whitehair on such a flattering mark of esteem from his late employees.

Messrs H. Knox and Co. submitted the Criterion Hotel to auction on Thursday, when it was knocked down at the sum of-L215.

A very amusing scene occurred on Tuesday in Bond street. It appeared that a digger, who had a little more liquor aboard than was good for him,was returning home on a pack-horse, when he was either pulled off or provoked to dismount by another of his class in a similar state of inebriety ; and then a scuffle ensued, which attracted the attention of the first man's mate, who managed to separate the combatants, and then vainly tried to lift his mate on his horse. This scene was so amusing as to elicit roars of laughter. The horse, a very lean packer, showed the utmost indifference, and bore an amount of pushing that was truly surprising. At length, with the assistance of some friends, the inebriate was hoisted over the horse's tail, and eventually into the pack, where he was carefully strapped ; but alas all the care bestowed on him was wasted, for, after proceeding a shoit distance he managed to dismount, and closed his frolic by a night in the lock-up.

We call the attention of members of the Scandinavian Society to the change of the day of meeting to Tuesday. This useful institution daily gains strength, and now numbers nearly two hundred members.

During the week several casualties have occurred. A party of miners at Sailor's Gully had their hut and all it contained completely destroyed by fire. On Wednesday the drums and spindle of White's whim came down with a crash ; the horse beam fell across the animal's neck, but was speedily removed, and no injury done. The cause of the accident is supposed to have been a defect in the timber. On same day a slight accident occurred at the whim in course of erection on Moye's claim, by which some slight injury was inflicted on a bystander. The yield of the Dane's claim for the fortnight was sixty-six ounces.

The new building for the Church of England was opened for Divine Service on Sunday last by the Rev. G. P. Beaumont, who preached morning and evening. We have on a former occasion described the building, which is well worthy of its purpose and very pleasing effect ; it will seat about 150 persons, and we were glad to see it was well filled. The service of the Church was effectively rendered, the musical portion being led by MrGutheil and an excellent choir. Collections were made at each service, and about Ll3 collected ; and on Monday a further sum was received for sittings ; these amounts have been carried to the building fund, but leave the Committee still indebted, as the total cost of building, inclusive of harmonium anl fittings, is L 430. This is

not a large amouut for a town of the importance of Ross, and we feel sure the public will approve of the Commiftee having done its weak thoroughly.

We hear it is in contemplation to arrange for au entertainment, the proceeds of which will be devoted to the Hospital, the funds of which are so low that we must beg the assistance of the public if they wish to keep the doors open. The escort despatched last Saturday, and a single parcel sent on a previous date by the Union Bank, amounted together to 3622 ounces. The Alexandra Gold Mining Company met on the 19th, and elected the following Board of Directors : — Messrs Gibson. Malfroy, M'Kenzie, Moye, Monteith, Tribe, and Kater.

We arc happy to inform the public that, under the direction of Mr Cooper, the District Surveyor, a track will be cut to Donoghue's, and it is hoped that funds for converting it into a good metalled road will be obtained from the vote of L3OO for roafls in this district.

The Band of Hope Gold Mining Coinpiiny met on the 20th, and elected the following Board of Directors: — Messrs Gibson, Gordon, Lee, J. Move, T. Moye, M'Gaffin, and Moron. The Directors have since made a call, and will at once commence operations.

The Committee appointed to arrange .1 diainn^c scheme for the claims in Jonos' Flat, have ascertained that it is perfectly practicable to carry off the main body of the wuter (that in the old workings) by a tail race, but the cost would probably reach L6OO. Of this amount, ton claims have offered to contribute L2OO, and others will join. We trust this important work will be successfully carried through.

The following is an item from a Christchurch paper: — "100 Chinamen have arrived at Hokitika en route to Otago, from Melbourne." It is an old s.iying you must go from home to hear the news.

The other morning a little boy named Hargraves, eleven years of age, was playing alone on the bank of the Cauldon canal, near Hanley, when he accidently fell into the water. According to his own intelligent account of what happened, he was sinking the second fcime, when a retriever dog, seeing him in the Vater, sprang in to (he rescue, seized the back of his waistcoat, and dragged him to ijyid. The poor little fellow soon recovered himself and walked homo. The dog walked 'by hiß side until he had reached his father's i oor, and then, with a self-congratulatory wag of b,ja Jail, trotted pff to to owners MW9,