THE WAIMEA.

West Coast Times, Issue 626, 26 September 1867, Page 3

THE WAIMEA.

(lEOM OTTB OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Sept. 25. The majority of tlio miners in the district are unwillingly idle, owing to (lie absence of -water, not only from the main j. cTeefa^Jyttt also from the largest races. At ike- old workings between Stafford TowSte-itnd' Goldsborough, at Italian, MSSIr, CaHaghan's, German, Rod Jack's.. aflSnSwfrfi^^r'Mli^gj jvajjhdirt is stacked in^imfolnsV heaps, until" alf available )r space is occupied. Even at Quinn's Terrace, Scandinavian Hill, Fin's Rush, and Lamplough a downpour of rain is much needed, so that miners might wash up. fThe ground at the foot of Red Jack's Gully, lately rushed, is turning out •nell. The sinking is shallow, ranging from five -to twenty feet. The depth of washdirt is about eighteen inches, and in a few claims as much as 2dwts to a dish are occasionally washed. A large extent of country remains to be tested, the gold being found in a flat of over 1000 acres, and running from the foot of Red Jack's Gully to the Christchurch road, from which a surveyor's track is cut to where miners are now working. There are about 130 men on the ground, and several races are being brought in. A small rush has set in to a terrace between Lamplough and Callaghan's. Only one party, however, have struck gold, and that in quantities too small to pay good wages. Hopes are entertained that a rich field will be opened in this vicinity shortly, and many prospecting parties are perseveringly searching for fresh leads. In the stabbing case, at Quinn's Terrace, Piper's Hat, several witnesses were examined last week at Stafford Town, and the prisoner, Robert Somers, was sent to Hokitika on remand. He is to be again brought up at Stafford. Town on Friday next. The following witnesses have appeared :- -Michael Murphy, who saw Somers use the knife ; Samuel R. Dodd, a storekeeper at Quinn's Terrace, who, on hearing a row at the Band of Hope Hotel on the 16th instant, ran in and saw Denis M'Kenna standing behind Somers. M'Kenna was held back "by several persons. He said that prisonerhad a knife. Witness seized prisoner's hand and pulled him towards the door, when both fell. Succeeded in getting the knife, which he afterwards handed to constable M'Donald. Alexander Solomon, barman at Band of Hope Hotel, saw prisoner fall when dancing. Gavan made use of some such words as "old dad," "well done, old da . d '" , or " ol(1 g reas y bead." Somers said, that he was no more greasy than Gavan, and could take it out of him. Did not hear prisoner say anything about knives or pistols. Gavan got up to fight. Solomon put Somers out of the room. Prisoner returned, and Gavan made a rush at him and wanted to fight. Witness again put Sonicrs out, and advised him to go home. Shortly afterwards again saw him in the bar, Gavan again rushed at Somers and they fought. Cr&van caught him by the hair and held him down in a stooping position. Presently a man named Denis M'Kenna called out that prisoner had a knife. Gavan and Somers were immediately separated. Witness saw that Gavan was bleeding. M'Kenna and others put prisoner outside, and tied him up. They kept him thus till the arrival of the police. Did not see a knife at any time in hands of prisoner. Constable Charles M'Donald proved arrest and conveyance of Somers to lock-up. In reply to some remark made about Gavan, prisoner said — "If I had had a better knife, 1 ' but the rest was inaudible. Upon prisoner being asked why he drew a knife, he said that he was overpowered, and what- else could he do. Prisoner was sober when arrested. Matthew Middlelon, an engineer, but

now a miner, saw prisoner sharpen a knife on a stone outside the hotel. On hearing of assault being committed, gave stone to police. Saw prisoner standing against the bar when Gavan came out of the dance room, and struck him. Prisoner was in a stooping position, and appeared to be feeling in his pocket. Richard M'Cormack, sergeant of police, stated — that on hearing of the assault he proceeded to Quinn's Terrace. Saw Dr Johnson, of Stafford Town, examine Gavan's wounds. On speaking to prisoner on the 17th instant, he made use of the words that. — "it was a pity the knife was not strong enough." Prisoner had first asked how the wovnded man was, when he made use of the expression. Somers was sober when arrested.

A rather serious accident occured to a miner named Hugh Fraser, in Callaghan's Gully, on Sunday night last. Shortly after going to bed, he was awakened by the burning of his tent, which had probably ignited by hot ashes falling from Eraser's pipe, which he smoked before going to sleep. He was severely burnt, and on Monday was conveyed to the Hokitika Hospital.