THOMPSON'S DIGGINGS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 232, 5 October 1866, Page 3

THOMPSON'S DIGGINGS.

.[from -our OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Tinker's Gully is the oldest'mining locality at Thompson's and its steady prosperity has been more remarkable than any other "in the Dunstan district. The population of the place has never been very large, but all who trusted in the resources of the locality and remained there, have not at any time known the want of a LlO note. It has appeared lately in your columns that Holmes and party, who have been for some time sluicing old ground on an extensive scale, have had within the last few weeks, a glorious washing up. lam not in a position to state the exact number of ounces obtained by them, but I may safely state, that close upon 500 ozs. were secured. The Company have again set to work and they are much inclined to pride themselves on their sanguine anticipations of realising an 'equal quantity in a very short space of time. Smokers' Gully is near Tinker's, and sluicing old ground is being carried on in it most profitably. HuSdleston and party are realising very considerable weekly earnings, and several others are "making both ends meet, and have a very satisfactory amount of slack to spare. This gully ••■contains a very large extent of sluicing ground, "and therefore, mining activity will, most probably be seen in it during the next couple of years. St.gar Pot Gully is another neighbour of Tinker's and is at the present time in a state of sterling prosperity. It was first opened as far back as 1863, and to all appearances its resources became finally exhausted in that year ; Bentley and party, however, brought a large water-race to bear upon it from Thomson's Creek, the distance from the mouth of the race to the gully being no less than eight miles, and although difficulties had to be encountered of a very costly nature, the Company have already received ample returns in proportion to their outlay. Last week they had a washing-up, and the proceeds would give an average of L 6 per week per man, and abundance of ground equally valuable is waiting the operations of the water-race. At •a distance of a quarter of a mile below this Company, Featherstone and party are actively engaged in sluicing their first piece of ground in this part of the gully, and also the maiden ground skirting the bed of it contains much more gold than all that was taken away by the openers of the gully some years past. The race belonging to this party was completed only five weeks past and takes its rise from the same source as that •of Bentley's, and a* its length is between seven and eight miles, the shareholders, being all working men and possessed of but a small capital to start with, much creditable perseverance and patience must have been exercised by them. This race, when its services are no longer of value at Sugar Pot Gully, can be directed to any ground in the district, whether its elevation be high or low, and in that respect, it is a considerable acquisition to mining appliances in the locality. The Company have taken upon themselves the term "Alert" for a name, and by being on the alert to their interests, for a few K— onths, the race will, no doubt, repay them all e value of the labour bestowed upon it. tiother Company is engaged in bringing in a race from the same distance and source as the Alert party's race ; this new conduit will reach the neighbourhood of Tinker's in three months Tience. The owners of it state, that it will eclipse in size and advantages all the races hitherto constructed in the district. Donnelly, it'Clusky and party are the shareholders, and as they are men who can, at any time, command some LSO notes, no capital will be wanting to make the race extensive in its command of ■country, as well as effective in its operations. At no time, since this district wasopened, have the prospects of the place been so gratifying as they are at the present moment, and as the -water-races belonging to it hold a very commanding position, they with a trifling c utlay of labour and capital may be directed to distant localities known to be payably auriferous.

DUNSTAN JOCKEY CLUB.

A meeting, which was numerously attended, of the members of the Dunstan Jockey Club, was held on the evening of the 27th ult, at the Port Phillip Hotel Clyde. Mr James Cogle occupied the chair ; Mr James Hazlett, the vicechair. The Secretary, Mr Marshall read the minutes of the last meeting which were duly confirmed. The rules of the Victorian and Otago Jockey were read over by the Secretery to the Meeting. Proposed by Mr Fraser, seconded by Mr Cox, and carried: "That the Otago Jockey Club Rules, excepting those objected to, be adopted." Proposed by Mr Frazer : " That the Dunstan Jockey Club., shall consist of those gentlemen who have paid up their subscriptions to the present date ; and that any further applications for membership be subject to the provisions ef Rule 2, of the Otago Jockey Club," seconded by Mr Robinson, and carried. Proposed by Mr Grindley, seconded by Mr Bay ley : " That the eleven following gentlemen be elected as committee, viz, Messrs J. G. Glass - ford, Robert M'Moran, \V. Fraser, B. P. Bayley, James Cogle, J. C. Thomson, W. J. Barry, W. G. M'Pherson, W. Smitham, J. Hazlett_*nd W. Grindley," carried. . " A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings. The meeting hiving dissolved the Committee met immedic lely afterwards, Mr J. G. Glassford presiding. Proposed by Mr Grindley, seconded by Mr Fraser: "That five members be a quorum." Carried. Mr J. G. Glassford was elected President, Mr. James Hazlett, Vice-President. Messrs J. G. Glassford, Robert M'Moran, and W. Fraser, were elected Trustees ; and Messrs A Christopher and Robert Barlow, Auditors. Proposed by Mr Grindley, seconded by Mr Bayley and carried : " That six Stewards be appointed, togetherwith the President, who shall be an ex-officie member ; also, that the following gentlemen be and are elected, Messrs J. Cogle, J. Hazlett, "W. Smitham, W. Fraser, J. C. Thomson, and W. G. M'Pherson. Mr W. Grindley wis appointed Starter, Mr Robert M'Moran, Clerk of the Course. Proposed by Mr Grindley :—"That the Dunstan Jockey Club Race Meeting be held on Thursday and Friday the 27th and 28th Dec, next." Seconded by Mr J. Hazlett and carried. Proposed and carried: "That the cost of printing Jockey Club Rules and Subscription Lists be ascertained." It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee take place on the 15th October next, at half-past eight o'clock, at the Sydney Hotel.