AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1900, 8 September 1874, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

A trial of the Burleigh rock-driller took place on 29th August, at the Langlauds Foundry, Flinders lane, in presence of abemt 100 persons interested in mining, and others. The machine, which is about sft in length, is set on a tripod stand and can be adjusted in any position with the greatest ease, not requiring to be attached to anything. It was placed upon a block of bluestone 20in. thick sunk securely in the ground, and by means of the aircompresser, by which it if worked, it was set in motion. Three holes were made, the deepest being 15jtin, which was drilled in. six minutes, Ii was explained that there was only a limited steam power available, or otherwise this could have been accomplished in half the time. The drill itself is so constructed, being somewhat of a diamond shape, that it never strikes twice in the same place, and as it is said to give with a sufficient steam power 300 blows per minute, its efficacy will be apparent. The internal arrangements are so nicely adjusted that there is no jar in the working, and the drill, which is very porrable, can be managed by two men. The motive power is compressed air, furnished by the action' of two air pumps connected with a steam-engine. The air passed into a receiver, and thence through a hose to the drill, and that which is exhausted in setting it in motion would in a mine serve to ventilate the place where the men were working. The success of the machine was acknowledged, and a general opinion expressed as to the extraordinary saving of labor and time which it wonld effect if employed in mining. One gentleman stated that whilst it took six men in the Rose of Denmark mine a week to bore from three to fonr feet, the drill would drive 60ft iv the same period. It is stated by the " Eiverine Advertiser" that Mr 6. A. Gordon, Police Magistrate of Deniliquin, intends to retire on half-pay towards the end of the year, after having discharged Governmental duties for about 35 years. The Sydney "Empire" of August 25 says : — "Mdlle. [Jeanne Rekel, who, it will be remembered, came to this country with Mdlle. Claus, and appeared at several concerts in a selection of ballads and operatic music, with much success, returns to-day in the Egmont to Ne,w Caledonia, where she has a more permanent engagement than any yet accepted by her. Mdlle. Rekel, when on her last professional tour in the island, was wooed and w^ifc> by a young notary of good family, and equally good position and prospects, and in every way un hon parti. M. Rekel accompanies his daughter to Noumea ; but Mdlle. Claus remains, and will probably goto Victoria shortly." The "Armidale Express" reports the following occurrence at the Court of Quarter Sessions in that town : — " The Court adjourned for an hour. On reopening at 2 p.m., his Honor Judge Meymott said he wished to make a remark. He had invited several ladies to a seat on the bench that day, and he had done so because he had considered them worthy of the honor. He had the pleasure of having known Madame Carandini for 24 years, and her daughters since they were children. He knew that they were ladies in every sense of the word. He knew no lady more entitled to the support of the public than Madame Carandini was, for the admirable way in which she has brought up her daughters. Mr Docker thought he could, on behalf of every member of the court, express the great pleasure that had been felt in the court having been graced by the presence of these ladies. His Honor expressed his pleasure in hearing Mr Docker's remark, and said that the ladies were in every way worthy of it." What a pity, says the Melbourne "Argus," the Carandini family cannot get themselves equally well advertised by one of the Supreme Court Judges of this colony." These peripatetic warblers never got beyord a County Chairman or the Superintendent of a second-class Province while in New Zealand, so that the Australians have the advantage in this direction.