THE TOTARA.

West Coast Times, Issue 637, 9 October 1867, Page 4

THE TOTARA.

•» . (PBOM THE K033 GTCABDIAN, OCT. 5.) KOSSTOWN. The quarterly meeting of the Scandinavian Society was held" at the Golden Hope Hotel on tlie Ist, and was numerously attended., the spacious room of the hotel being well filled. The business was chiefly the election of officers. Mr Netherwood was elected president ; Mr C. Campbell, vice-president ; Mr Maddock, secretary ; and Mr Maerker, treasurer. Mr Hansen, the outgoing secretary, produced a balance-sheet, by which it appeared Jl.at, after paying all the ascertain el claims on the society, there remained a balance in hand of L 129. We are glad to see that a memorial has been very numerously signed, asking for a metalled road to Donoghue's ; a very good line lias been cut by the District Surveyor, which, with a small outlay fop, metalling, would be of great value to the district, which is dependent on Ross for Warden's Court, Post Office, banks, schools, and other conveniences. The memorial has been handed to the Warden, for presentation to the Goldfields Secretary, and we doubt not, will receive early attention. Donoghue's has yielded a large amount of gold ; it, and the whole of the intervening country, is very rich ground, which for a long time will maintain a large population, and hitherto not one penny of public money has been bestowed on it. An attempt is to be made to form a lodge in connection with the District Court of- the- Ancient jQrder-of For=> testers, for which purpose a preliminary meeting will be held at the Post Office Hotel on Tuesday evening next. The amateurs who so kindly gave their services in aid of the Church Building Committee, and by affording an agreeable evening's amusement, combined pleasure and profit, have again offered tlieir services for a charitable object, one which we are sure has the' sympathy of the public, and we are sorry to saj"^s still in arrear. We need hardly say we allude to the Hospital. The performance will take place on Monday week, when three pieces will be presented, and the strength of the company increased by several volunteers. Music also will lend its charms, the Glee Club and several soloists having volunteered. We hope to see iT crowded house on the. occasion. The public news-room in Aylmer street is now open, and is supplied with, colonial and English papers. The value of such an institution can scarcely be over-iated. The necessary work of draining the claims in Jones' Flat has not materially advanced. The services of the surveyor, which the Warden promised at the late public meeting, were not obtainable for some days, owing to his absence, and since his return the ! weather has been continuously wet, but \v.e are assured he will not delay one hour longer than he can avoid in supplying the Committee with every information in his power, when we hope a scheme will be laid before the public, which will enlist sufficient support to enable the Committee to carry to completion. We hope this is the last time we shall have to record the blockade of our road : this week it has not been fit for traffic one day, though wilh the aid of boat?. Mr Collins has delivered the mails with considerable punctuality. The new road is metalled more than half-way to the beach, and about three weeKs' work will complete this great aad long delayed boon. MINING HEBOBT. We have little better news to report this week than last. The rain will enable many sluicers to get to work, and has enabled the water-wheel at Donoghue's to drain the claims dependent on it ; but in Jones' the flat is duller than ever, and must remain so until some decided action is taken to drain it. The committee for that purpose think they "will obtain sufficient support to construct an efficient work ; we hope they will, though we confess to great doubt if any voluntary combination will be effectual. v The Morning Star is the only steam engine at work this week, and to the surprise of all she has kept the claim in work, and we are glad to say it is daily improving in its yield, and is now working at a handsome profit. At the late meeting the following directors were appointed : — Messrs Monteith, Armstrong, Prince, Miller, Marks, Burns, and Haim. It is intended to raise the brace about ten feet higher in the prepresent frame, and it is contemplated to do this without stopping the work, i The Seandia will be at work early next week pumping, but the new poppetheads, water race, and other outdoor works have been delayed by the wet weather. Much activity prevails in the claims towards Donnelly's Creek, where they are free of the flooding. New whims are being erected, and larger poppet heads and self-feeders are substituted for inferior contrivances. The Sydney j clainv M'Kenzie and party, have sunk a shaft, probably the deepest in Westland, namely, 218 feet. They have struck three layers since they passed through the second bottom, which would pay well were it not for the quantity of water they have to contend with, to their being the only party who bale continuously. The.y strove hard to puddle back the, water with blue clay and two-inch sawn timber, backed with calico ; but from defects in the <*round did not succeed. They now intend opening out at 180 feet, in what ! they call the third bottom ; but if their ; neighbors were all baling would go £ wn deeper. Morgan and party have ,

raised their tail-race by flumins;, so as to, have a good run into Donnelly's Creek. The Beehive party were swamped out of one shaft; but manfully set to work and sunk another. They have erected tall poppet head's which are an unusual distance from the whim aud use the old poppet heads as travellers for the ropes. Three purlieu, Hoskins, Slattery and Cummin^s have combined to flume their tailings away to Donnelly's, and many others must follow their example unless they intend raising their works sky high. The want of space for .tailings is a serious difficulty with many of the claims. The Homeward Bound party have completed a new whim ; they have sunk as far as possible by hand labor, and no>y intend sinking- as far as horse power will enable them. Moylan's and Morgan's parties are getting good returns. Nelson's have bottomed a new shaft in consequence of being swamped in- the old one, and are getting- prospects of a pennyweight to the dish on third bottom. Robinson's have erected taller poppett heads which enable them to use the indispensable self-feeder. Mayo's party have their new whim at work, and are getting good returns off the third bottom. A share in this claim was sold for LI 4O. Anderson's party got swamped out of their lower shaft, but, nothing daunted, they set to work and sunk another, carefully puddling, back the water, and have erected new poppet-heads, and when the water will allow, they will work both shafts from one whim. The reports from Donoghue's are good. The Alexandra Company are reported in another column. The intermediate district is busy, thauks to the rain. The Water Race Company commence on Monday to carry on the aequeduct, under the superintendence of their manager without a contractor, and we hope their will be no further delay of this necessary work. lOIARA DISTRICT HOSPITAL. The committee met at the Dunstan Hotel on the 2nd. Mr M'Kenzie in the chair. The minutes of last meeting were confirmed. The surgeon's report No. 11 was read. Several accounts were passed for payment contingent on the President being able ro obtain an overdraft at the bank for which he was authorised to apply. . A sub-committee was appointed to co-operate with the amateurs who had volunteered a performance in aid of the Hospital. Messrs. Prince and M'Kenzie were appointed v collecting committee till 31st inst. The committee then adjourned till the 16th inst.