The Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1898. A DREDGING BOOM.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 471, 16 August 1898, Page 2

The Ensign. GORE : TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1898. A DREDGING BOOM.

The mest casual observer of the signs of the times cannot fail to be struck with the abundant evidences of the fact there exist, that this district is within measurable distance of participating in a dredging boom of untold possibilities. Gradual but satisfactory, progress has been made in the development of this most modern system of gold-saving, and . a little time is all that is necessary to herald its much more extensive application in this district than is possible, we venture to say, in any other in Southland Practically the whole of the country lying between the Blue Mountains and the Hokonuis is more or less auriferous (we know of a resident in the heart of the town of Gore who can get a " color " from the gravel in his well at every time of asking), and with the vast strides attained in the modes of treating goldbearing soils, too much importance cannot be attached to the dredging industry as we shall know it in the future. It has been authoritatively stated that 50 dredges are to be erected in this immediate neighborhood alone very shortly, and no doubt as the success of like ventures already in progress becomes bruited abroad, the rattle of the dredge buckets will in time become as familiar a sound in the land as is the hum of the threshing mill at the close of harvest m present times. So far as we are able to understand the position, the only hindrance in the way of the very general application of the dredging-system is the question of waterrights raised by the farmers and land owners. We do not for a moment advocate that the legitimate rights of any class be curtailed or usurped in favor of another — the farmers' interests of all others should receive the greatest possible amount of consideration. We feel, however, that the major portion of the objections raised by the agricultural community are based on a misapprehension of the real circumstances. All know the havoc and damage brought about by the pursuit of sluicing operations at the head- of streams which ran through agricultural country. The damage in cases of that sort was of a tangible enough nature, as many farmers to-day remember to their sorrow. With dredging the circumstances are altogether different. Practically all the solid matter disturbed by these appliances is deposited in the " paddock " operated upon at the time, and the amount of material held in suspension by the water after it passes over the dams is of so infinitesimal a nature that the danger of silting up is rendered of so insignificant a character as to be scarcely worth considering. At worst, the water in streams upon which dredging operations are pursued is only discolored in a small degree — not sufficient to occasion the most prudent farmer a second thought as to probable damage. If the dredging industry is to go ahead in this district, causing thereby an accession to the population and an increased demand for district produce, such an end can only be achieved by the hearty co-operation of all who* have the power to assist in adding to or checking its growth. All cannot be promoters of dredging companies; neither would we advooate as a sound item of policy that everyone should risk their capital in dredging shares ; but at least all can be brought to a recognition of this fact that the greater the number of permanent and lucrative industries settled in our neighborhood and district, the greater will be the measure of solid prosperity accruing. We do not contend that the farmers are wrong in resisting the fancied usurpation of their water-rights ; neither do we say they are right. All we wish to place before them is the plain, understandable fact that their chances of securing better markets for their produce are improved by every additional head of population that is attracted to the district.

Our readers will hardly want to be reminded that to-night John Fuller's Myriorama will make its reappearance at the Gore Town Hall. As the company are booked to appear in Dunedin to-morrow night, they cannot appear here again. Mr John Fuller will sing " The Blue Alsatian Mountains " and " Hearts of Oak." Mr Howard Chambers is to sing " The Ship on Fire " and " The Briton and the Yank." The words of this latter new patriotic song will be given to all patrons, and altogether a splendid, amusing, instructive, and'varied programme will be given. It is advisable to get tickets beforehand at Messrs Boyne Bros., and so avoid crushing at the pay box.

A number of cattle are dying in the Rangitikei district owing to want of feed. It is reported (says the ' Advocate ') that not less than 20 have died near the Zig Zag road, Colyton, about 12 of which were owned by Mr W. G. Haybittle. Many sheep and lambs are also dying from extreme cold.

A laborer named Rickett, of Warrandyte, Victoria, holds an iateresting collection of articles discovered in the stomach of a cow. The beast died recently under peculiar circumstances, and a post ■mortem examination was decided upon. The first thing the astonished owner found was a silver spoon, and subsequently a threepenny piece, mixed pins, needles, dress material, glass, buttons, boots, rivets, two-inch wire nails, slate pencils, tacks, soldering lead, and other in-' digestible articles. The owner purchased the cow from a metropolitan dairyman, but how it came in possession of the plant is a mystery.

An auctioneer in the Wniknto was considerably startled by the antics performed by his horse the other day. As the animal was ailing, he administered hulf n pint of whisky, and turned it out in a paddock close to the house. The horse at once made for the office door, and walked clean through the window on the opposite side, damaging the furniture considerably en route. The French window of the house next attracted his attention, and he had climbed half through before he was beaten back. He then started for the distant horizon with an utter disregard for everything in the shape of thorn hedges and barb wire fences whioh intervened, and finally wound up in a ditch, a bleeding mass. A friendly bullet gave him a happy release from his suffering. A veterinary called in described the trouble as " mad staggers," a disease, though practically unknown in this colony, not uncommon in England.

The return euchre tournament between the Gore Druids and Oddfellows has been fixed for Wednesday, 31st inst.

Mr H. C. Cameron, Inspector of Produce for New Zealand, writing totheAgent-General on July 1, said he was disappointed, on a recent visit to Birmingham, to find that there was not a really high-class shop where New Zealand mutton was sold, or where customers desirous of testing it could have a guarantee that they would obtain it. He also complained that butchers were selling River Plate mutton as Canterbury mutton, and one butcher told him that he sold all frozen mutton as Canterbury, that being the recognised name in the retail trade for all except very inferior qualities. Mr Cameron goes on to say that buyers having heard by repute of the excellence of New Zealand "Canterbury" mutton, are possibly inclined to try its merits on their own table; but when they have made their purchase of so-called " Canterbury," and cooked and tested it, their inclination to continue its use is in all probability checked by the inferiority of the article that has been supplied to them. In this manner the introduction of New Zealand mutton to the better classes is retarded, and consequently it is no wonder that when in creasing supplies come forward there is no sufficient market to absorb them:

Mr J. Graham, local manager for Messrs Tothill, Watson and Co. (accompanied by Mrs Graham and family),, returned yesterday from a two months' holiday in Australia, the time being spent chiefly in Sydney. MiGraham, who reports having enjoyed the trip immensely, looks all the better for his holiday, he having gained something over a stone in weight in the interim.

The large stables in Medway street, Gore (known as Holland's), now under the capable management of Mr W. Trembath, have of late proved all too small to- accommodate the business that is done, consequently additions were an imperative necessity. These, when completed, will give nearly double the accommodation formerly available.

At Christihurch on Sunday night Mrs Gill, wife of Charles Gill, stonemason, when proceeding to church, was taken ill in the street, and was conveyed into n, house close by, and died shortly after. Deceased was oo years of age. Heart disease is supposed to have been the cause of death.

On Sunday evening the body of a newlyborn infant was found in a lagoon at Jacobstown, near Gore, by Mr Jas. Brennan. An inquest is to be held at the Gore Courthouse this afternoon.

Mr Geo. Holland, Wendon, has, we believe, recently purchased the now celebrated trotting stallion Kentucky. This fashionably-bred sire travelled this district a couple of seasons back, and breeders who availed themselves of his services speak in no other terms than praise of the quality of ,his progeny. . The .price Mr Holland paid for Kentucky is reported to be a long one.

Mr Alf. Ingleson, the well-known scenic artist is now in Gore for the purpose of refitting the stage at the local Town Hall with a new set of scenery. .

Some peculiar requests are preferred to the Gore Borough Council at times, but for out-and-out peculiarity, one received at last night's meeting eclipses anything yet recorded. Some time ago, during the progress of a theatrical performance at the local Town Hall, an accident occurred to the electric light wires at a certain point, causing the extinction of all the electric lights in the town—t hose at the Town Hall among them. In less than three minutes matters were righted and the current switched on again. Now, the manager of the theatrical company seeks to recover from the Council £10 as damages for the inconvenience he suffered by his company and the audience being left in the dark for a couple of niinutes. If the enterprising manager would guarantee to defray his outstanding printing account out of the suggested £10, we sincerely hope he may get it ; if he has no such intention, well .

At the inquest on Samuel William Gibbs, accountant to Edmond and Co., who shot himself at Dunedin last week, the evidence showed that he had been in a nervous state and troubled with sleeplessness since the fire in the firm's premises. He had only been working intermittently, as he could make his own hours, and had been off fora fortnight. The verdict returned was " Suicide while temporarily insane."

His many district friends will regret to hear of the dangerous illness of Mr J. Latham, secretary to the Gore A. and P. Association and Racing Club. Little over a week ago Mr Latham contracted influenza, and ventured out before he had quite shaken off the effects of the malady. Pleurisy supervened, and it will be fully two months before Mr Latham will be in a fit state to get about again.

The Eev. J. G. Ellis, of the GoreWesleyan Church, has introduced a somewhat novel feature inti his services, inasmuch as he permits members of his congregation to prefer requests for sermons on particular subjects they desire to hear expounded. The system, so far, has proved attractive, and works , most In response to a request of the character named, preferred by a member of the congregation, the rev. gentleman, on Sunday evening last, preached an eloquent sermon upon the subject : " Woman the Slave : Christ the Emanoipator," choosing his texts from Bevelations 3 and, 16 ; Genesis 2 and 18, and 1 and 28.

.Mails for the United Kingdom and the Continent of Europe, the United States, Canada, Central and South America, the West Indies (via Vancouver), Fiji, and the Sandwich Islands, also for the United Kingdom and the Continent of Europe, East and West Coasts of South America, will close at Gore this day (Tuesday) at 6.30 p.m.

The Borough of Mataura though small evidently contains good people. Since "the beginning of the year no fewer than four championships have been annexed by residents in different competitions. Thus : Miss Dumbleton (Mataura Dairy Factory), champion prize and Nairn cup at Dunedin Winter Show for ■ cheese ; Mr C. White, champion cup for poultry at the recent Invercargill Poultry Show ; Mr Ladbrook, champion prize at the Southland Ploughing Match ; and Mr Carroll, the Mayor's cup for running at the Invercargill sports. Indeed a most creditable record. Bravo, Mataura !

In our report of the last County meeting we stated that the various sums receiyed as " thirds " for ridings mentioned constituted the amount received since the passing of the Counties Act. It should have been the amount for last year only, which is about the usual yearly average.

A review of school children took place in Vienna on June 24 in celebration of the Emperor's jubilee. Eighty thousand boys and girls, all wearing yellow and black sashes, assembled on tho Kingstrasse, the boulevaid of Vienna, and marched in rows of twentyfour past the Emperor and members of the Imperial family. The procession was over two miles in length, and presented a unique spectacle.

J, A. Mitchell and Co.' announce a clearing sale at Seaward Downs on 20th August. Trappers wanted at Teviot station. A. W. Sinclair and Co. sell furniture at their Auction Mart to-morrow.

Dalgety and Co. sell the late Mr Brownlie's farm at Balclutha on 2nd Sept.

Contract teams for ploughing wanted at Teviot station.

J. A. Simson and Co.<sell horses, pigs and potatoes on Saturday. ■ ■ N.Z.L. and M.A. Co. sell stock at Riversdale on Thursday.

Denis Daley appointed ranger on county roads in the Knapdale road district. Annual meeting of Mataura Horticultural Society on Friday.

Fuller's Myriorama in the Gore Town Hall this evening.

The Official Assignee notifies a dividend in the estate of Brewer, Trembath and Co.

Annual election of three Councillors for Gore Borough on Bth September.

Nightingale and Sutherland, coachbuilders, Gore, agents for Sterling bicycles.

Very special bargains are now being offered at W. Lewis and Co.'s great winter sale. Don't miss seeing our window display of trimmed millinery, all marked in plain figures. Dress-making at reduced prices for a few weeks only ; ladies' costumes in black and navy serges, and other dress materials, 30s ; ladies' beaver cloth capes in latest style with fur collar, made to order, 13s. Prior to stocktaking unparalled bargains in all departments. — (Advt.)