DUNSTAN DISTRICT NEWS ITEMS-

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1435, 27 October 1896, Page 4

DUNSTAN DISTRICT NEWS ITEMS-

[rilOil OUK OWN CORRBSPONDENT.I la the Ida Valley district, the crops have been gob in early this year, but have not made much progress, owing to tho long continued drought. Now that that is broken, they are looking remarkably well. Lambs arc as plentiful as blackberries iu Ida Valley. As high as a hundred per cent, and over may be seen on some farms Great interest is beiug manifested iu the county elections. In Ophir, three candidates are nominated —Messrs Pitches, Leask, and Denniatou—for the Manuhcrikia Riding. Mr Pitches ij making a hold bid for honors.

and is being piloted by a very energetic supporter. The opening aud christening of the uew dredge at Ophir takes place on the 11th. Owiug to the amount of silt which is at present coming down the Manuherikia river, the Manorburu Dredging Co. have fouud it necessary to wing dam the river, and have had a large baud of workmen engaged. The Moa dredge, which lias had so much trouble, lias started to work satisfactorily, and has set in opposite the Goldca Beach claim. 1 anticipate some handsome returns. The Ngapara dredge is expected to be laid up for repairs shortly. This is the best working dredge on the river. The newly-finished and powerful dredge, Earnscleugh, had the misfortune to break one of her wheels, which has caused a week’s delay. Mr Lett, of Alexandra coal pit, has his new shaft neatly down. This is what is termed the extra or ladder shaft, which is ucoo-aary under the present act. Mr Cards, of Alexandra, has leased the Molyncux Hydraulic water for a term He has shifted the plant, bringing it on to his coal pit. It is his intention to elevate out a paddock down to the coal, and build up a shaft in the centre thereof, and to thoroughly caulk it from the outsid -. There is like'y to bo a contest for tho Mayoral chair in Alexandra, when the seat is likely to be centered h v the present aud past Mayors, Messrs Rivers and James Simmonds. At the Central Otago Show Committee Meeting, Mr R. S. Gilkison was appointed Interim Score-ary. I thought that a looa man or rather someone with more time on hand, and who could be on tho spot, say, for at least ten days before the show day, would have been more acceptable. The Galloway School ha-* closed, as the scarlet fever scare in that part of tho locality is not quite over. Mr Harry Duck, of Matakauui, has recently returned from a trip to Victoria, where he has been for the benefit of his health, aud he is looking all tho better of his holiday. 1 hoar that Mr Thns. Frewcn, of Hawea, lias been down negotiating for the Criterion Hotel in Alexandra, but did not succeed in making a bargain. A very pleasing ceremony took place at Galloway Station last Saturday evening, when Mr Guuion. the late manager, was the recipient of a handsome present, at the hands of his employees. 11c was presented with a beautiful gold albert and maltose cross as a token of the esteem in which they hold him.