BLACKS DISTRICT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 899, 11 July 1879, Page 3

BLACKS DISTRICT.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) I have really very little to write about Horn this district, as the continued wintry weather still stays tiro prosecution of all out-door work. The farmers arc completely at a stand still, the ground being too hard to plough, and that is mainly the only thing they can turn their attention to. whilst the miners, for want of water, the water races being all frozen, are idle. Before the last spell of frost some few of the companies under the range at Tinkers and Dryhread did make a start, but after a very short spell they had to acknowledge a defeat at the hands of King Frost. As I write though there is evidently a change threatening, and I hope in mv next to be able to say that every branch of industry is again in full swing—at no time can people afford to be idle, and when there is a general depression this is more especially the ease. I notice there is a very general clearing out of the Chinese from the district ; is it that they have taken all the gold they can get. «nd are off for fresh fields and pastures new, r that there is no more gold to get, this latter I don’t think is the case, as there are large areas of ground adjoining that already worked still untouched, and but little of the country has been prospected. The butcher, baker and storekeeper will, doubtless, feel the loss of the Heathen Chinee, but for my own part I think the district is well rid of them, and only hope they will never return, at the best they are but fossickers and follow the lines that others have trod—were they to prospect, or settle them selves down to produce any one given article of commerce they would be equally as desirable colonists as those ol any other nationally, but as they do not, I can but repeat, not alone the district, but tbe country would be well rid of them and none tbe less prosperous had they never showed their face iu it. 1 notice by late Rome telegrams

that the E npwor of China has expressed his sorrow at President Hayes vetoeing the Bill prohibiting the further immigration of Chinese inro America, as 'he .'cannot now turn out all Americans aniFEUropeans from his country. Ido not doubt ho would have been insane enough to have attempted such » thing, but lam very much afraid that a few American and British ironclads, and some Armstrong '•* guns would have soon taught his Emperorship that the time has not yet come round when he can dictate to the Barbarian as to where he shall go. No, Johnny, my boy !—youhavje doubtless gained a very great deal of knowledge since you wore compelled to open your ports, butthat you have learned quite enough to be able to close them Ido not believe. I now turn from Chinese to Coal, ajid .l venture on the opinion that if Mr Williams, iu his endeavour to discover a true seam, should succeed, that he will be of, more lasting benefit to che district than the whole of the Chinese who have ever visited us. Mr Williams is the right man hi the right place, and so far as push and perseverance is concerned, if it is to be found he will find it. The indications in the shafts he has sunk, were very favorable, but what he has discovered since using the boring rods I do not know. lam not sufficiently versed iu coal or lignite deposits to say whether they are found in seams or beds, I can only say, how ever, that it will be a very strange thing if it is not found in quantity somewhere in the neighborhood of Blacks, which may be termed the middle'of-the Manulierikiit Valley, as both at the head and at the foot lignite abounds. The contractors for the bridge are making good headway, and saving mishaps should complete it within contract time. • j . ...