OREPUKI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 31

OREPUKI.

November 30. — We are to be favoured with quite a new thing in the shape of a local newspaper shortly. About a couple of years ago a venture was started in Riverton, and in order possibly to flatter the susceptibilities of residents of this town, the copies sent here took the name of the Orepuki Miner, those going to Otautau were named the Otautau Guardian, and the Riverton ones the Riverton Times, all, of course, containing exactly the same news. An unkind public not supporting it Fufnciently, the paper ceased publication m a few months, but now we are going to have a journal all our own. Residents are inclined to shake their heads rather dubiously when asked their opinion as to the ultimate success of the new enterprise, which, by the bye, takes the title of the Orepuki Advocate.

Railway A number of men have been dismissed from the Waiau railway works. Until the expected vote of £12,000, or thereabouts, is passed, through Parliament, it is expected that work will be rather slack. As usual, those thrown out of employment ore single men — the married men must get the preference, say the euthorities. It is said that the track will be laid for several miles shortly, if the workers are kept busy; but evidently our paternal Government feels keenly at present the dearth of funds.

The Shale "Works.— The bonus of £5000 promised by the Government for the first 100,000 gal of oil manufactured from local shale has at last been paid to the company. The Premier, Mr Seddon, will honour us with a visit on the 2nd, and it is believed the claims of the company will meet with more favourable consideration as the result of his call. Om streets, by the way, are about to be greatly improved, the dross or refuse from the woiks being utilised for the purpose. An abundant supply of tar will be supplied by the company at a nominal charge, and the change will be much appreciated, by residents. A Handsome Offer. — The Government are offering a, reward of £2000 to the inventor of a ma-chine for extracting gold from black sand — presumably beach sand. The machine, which must be different from all previous inventions, must be capable of treating 30 cubic yards of black sand an hour and also of profitably working stuff yielding only 3d a cubic yard. A whole host of other conditions are given, and, it is needless to say, miners with the smallest shred of experience laugh at the thought of such an invention. It must be quite apparent that the framers of such p.n inducement know little oi nothing about the subject of black sand. This specially interests residents of this place, as the local beach with such a machine in operation would yield quite a fortune. Apparently the Government are afraid of giving too much away, as the inventor is bound, in order to obtain the subsidy, to waive all patent rights in New Zealand.