THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, DECEMBER SI, 1888.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6327, 31 December 1888, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, DECEMBER SI, 1888.

Ifc is well worth while for all who have gone into, or think of going into, beach dredging, to take a look at Robertson's Economio ißro-HydranHc:Elevator,iwhich : maybe seen at work at the back of the railway station to-day and to-morrow between" the Tfdurs of 10 a "in and noon, in charge of -t Mr Wm. M. Rosb, agent for the patentees, Messrs Robertson and Co. The motive power, as is indicated by the name, cornea from w&ier and sir combined, the air power being a special feature of the invention, which, in other respects oan scarcely be said to be new. The principle Is the same as that introduced into Gabriel's Gully by Mr Perry, whose claim is known as Perry's Hydraulic Sluicing Plant, a full description of which ia given in the Handbook of New Zealand Mines. Robertson and Co.'s invention is an improvement upon the plan in use at Gabriel's Gully,, in this respect, that by an ingenious contrivance it makes use of the atmospheric pressure, which is estimated to increase the power derived from water by at least .30 per cenl., without labor or coat. The working model is on a very small scale, the pipe being only fin. In diameter ; bnt the way in which it discharges sand and fine graved i 8 astonishing. Certainly, if the working of a model is any criterion as to the capacity of the machine, it would seem as if we have at last secured the cheapest, simplest, and most effective Implement for dealing -with the auriferous sands of our beaches. As an idea obtains that while all dredging machines will undoubtedly lift more or leas sand and gravel they do not lift the gold — that is that the gold is supposed to always sink to the bottom— we wonld suggeßt to Mr Rosa that he obtain a load or so of auriferous beach gravel, so that he may demonstrate that his elevator can bring up any gold that may be in the wash. If be can' 1 satisfy the public upon thiß point he will remove the strongest prejudice that exists against the th« application of this description of hydraulic mining. There can be no doubt as to the capacity of the elevator to lift a constant stream of gravel, the rate of which can be regulated in jußt the aame way that a stream of water may be regulated by a tap. The cheapness of the appliance, as compared with the cost of the Ball or Wellman dredger, is. another great point in favor of 'this latest invention, and ought to go a good way towards popularising it. It is with some regret that we have to chronicle what really amounts to a second reverse amongst beach dredging undertakings. Messrs Pyae and Co have received instructions from the liquidators of the Okarito Gold Dredging Company (Limited) to sell all the rights and interests in 'he leases of two special claims of over 450 acres in extent on the Five-mile Beach and Lagoon, Okarito. Together with these will be sold the entire plant, including engine, pontoon, seven-inch Ball's patent dredger, shore, hat, and all the neceßßary, toota, and utensils for carrying on the work. Although thia sale is an evidence of failure that cannot well be gainsaid, the fact remains that gold in payable quantity remains in the ground, and that if the Ball dredger was able to do all that has been claimed it oould do, there would have probably been a different result. It is not easy to say wherein the fault lies exactly, whether it la the fault of ihe machine, the poorness of the ground, or the defective appliances for washing; but it is quite -clear' that the machine" would not pay, and that operations have been discontinued after a tolerably good trial. However, other plants are in course of erection of a more powerful and costly character, and which have been the result of considerable care ; and deliberation, and of which great hopes are entertained. Even should these fail it is quite certain that efforts will still be made to extract the gold that is known to exist in such quantities on the West Coast beaches, awaiting only the proper method for its extraction! J. W. Eaßßon and do. will hold a large kale of sundries' to«day at 2 SO*

G. W. Mobs ajid Coi. will sell by auction to-day ar large "and varied assortment of jewellery at Messrs 1 Peterson and Co.'s shop, Tainui atreet, commencing at 10 a m. The Humphrey's Gully Company (says the Times) proposed washing up before the Christmas holidays, but a large fall of dirt filled up the paddock, and it will take a week or two before it is disposed of. There 1b a great deal of consternation .and a good deal of. anger among the Akura Natives, hear Master ton (says the. Star.) ;A fewj weeks ago we announced the death of the wife of Haeata from consumption. Last week"the~ sorrowing widower performed a consolation race, and tried to repair his lobb by bolting off with the wife of -a celebrated footballer. "The bereaved one has been trying to drown his sorrows in drink, and his friends are exceedingly Jndignant. Meantime the whereabouts of Haeata and "Mrs Nini M are unknown, but an adultery hunt is being organised, and a council of war is to be held to determine what Bort of physical punishment shall be inflicted when the erring sinners are caaghb. \ . ' v■ ' Richard 'Mattbewß, the ex-champion, has returnecl from his professional trip to Kumara, Ross," and Hokitlka, at each of which he was cordially , received and did aatlsfa'ctpry bußineas. ; He will remain heritor the races, but will not give any exhibition of boxing. The mnßic ,played by the Brunnerton and Denniatoii Bands in their contest was las follows :^-Brunnerton--" Robert il biavblo," a grand selection, and the beßt and most difficult piece played at the contest; a Fantasia from " Marltana V ; and a "Quick Step t " Binchester. For each of these They received 1 10. points, the full number of nwks. Derm's' on— "Marltana," si i grand j " P:ince of Wales" ; and "Winning Hazard," a quick step. For the two latter they were awarded 10 points eacb, but only nine "for the first, thus losing by one point. A drag will leave the Albion Hotel at noon today, taking, the stewards and committee to the ground. ;^ We have tor acknowledge the receipt from the Department; of the " New Zealand Crown Lands Guide, No IX," It is the hrerest yet publishedj containing as it does 190 pages of letterpi ess. jOn a future occasion we shall notice at greater length several important features in this Issue of the Guide. , Antonio's Temple of Wonders will open to-night and ' to-morrow night jin a marquee at the head of Boundary street. The entertainment comprises some extraordinary feats of sword swallowing, and a performing troupe of birds and monkeys. , This' evening the Cap and Jacket Company announce an entire change of programme — comedy and burlesque being substituted for the usual variety entertainment, During the evening Miss Vanghan will present the winner of thß Midsummer Handicap with a silvermounted riding whip. - The Volunteer Hall will be the great centre of attraction for this week, Icommencing this evening and being continued till Saturday evening next. Ik will be one of the best — perhaps the very beat, if we may anticipate — affalra of the kind that has ever, been got up here. Tt will be at once an exhibition of art and industry, with side shows of a olass so dear *o the ■juvenile mind, nuch as Punch and Judy, the Famous Australian Dwarf, Jubilee singing, the Maypole dance, and quadrille dancing for " children of larger growth." There will be no auctioneering or raffling to shock the susceptibilities of those who object to these well-known aids towards success ; but instead there will be an abundance of refreshments. Mrs Napier Bell will preside over a grand refreshment stall, which of i'self will form a most important and attractive feature of the show. In fact there will be no end of T>i*etty ihinge, with pretty handmaidens flitting about in mob caps and aprons of the purest white. The decorations of the hall are very neat and pretty, and show an amount of oarja jemd taste that are, most creditable to airconoerned. The effect of the whole affair is so striking that nothing but a personal inspection- can give an adequate idea of the display and accompanying arrangements. Schaefa' merry-go-round has captivated the youugstera of the town, and will continue to do so for two days and nights longer. The Fire Brigade muster to-night for the torchlight procession, usual on New Year's Eve. The following clippmg from the lateat number of the Irish Times to hand gives a fair insight into the state of Ireland so far as crime is concerned :— " Addreasing the Wat?rfrrd Grand Jury at the quarter sessions, the Ootmty Judge said that since the last sessions held in Waterford last September there had been in the whole County Waterford only two casea of petty larceny. In September there were no cases returned for trial in Waterford city on that diviaion of the county, and in the other divisions of the county, but one case of asault at Dungarvan. Hiß Honor also mentioned that in the whole of the county of Cavan he had only one cnße, a charge of reacuing gooda aeized by the bailiffs, which turned out to be a case which onght not 10 have been returned: for trial. In Leitrim, he Baid; . he' had only three cases. This was the amount of crime in theprovincea of Ulster, Munster, and Connaughi, and connties representing a population of 330,000 people. "I do not," said the judge, "believe that there is on the face of the globe a country showing a similar record." The Economist contains an article from its Wellington correspondent., describing the difficulties in whf chjthe New Zealand Harbor Boards are placed, and predicting not at all obscurely that some of. them will certainly become defaulters ere long. Amongst others, he mentions the Dunedin Harbor Board aa not nnlikely to be unable to meet its engagements, The case of Wellington, he admits; iadifferent, and he indicates that port aa likely to become the chief diatributing centre for the colony. The Ohineae colony in Chicago conßiats of 2000 souls, of whom only two are women. ; ■■ t , The gay and festive season will Boon be here. Ladies who require a new dust cloak for the holidays should call and inspect Christopher Smith's new s ( ock.— [Advi.] A generous use - of Wolfe's Schnapps will impart strength and invigorate the body. As a tonic, diuretic, and invigorating cordial Wolfe's Schnapps ia highly reoommended to the public. Re-establish and restore the body by the JPralstent use of Wftlft'fl Bchntpps.