Untitled

Otago Daily Times, Issue 151, 10 May 1862, Page 5

Woman's Mission.—"A curious illustration" (says the Bendiijo A dvertiser) "of what may be a woman's mission in Australia, is to be found on the North Devonshire Reef, Devonshire Gully, near Eaglehawk. Working in n quartz claim with all the industry and skill of some of our most practical miners, is to be seen an old laily, named Mrs. Craig, who, although upwards of sixty years of age, takes her turn at the windlass, and winds up a heavy bucket of stuff from a depth of ISO feet, while her son—in this instance " her mate'/ —is at work below. We are happy to hear, on making some inquiries, .that in the hist chiini which the old lady left, and which was sunk to a depth of about 220 feet, and driven in an experienced manner, she realised a considerable amount, and that .her perseverance and industry have placed herself and family above want."

Mohis Incendiarism:.—About two o'clock on Friday morning the barn belonging to Mr. James M'Leai), Mount BJowhanl, was discovered to be on fire. The building contained some sixty bushels of seed wheat at the time, a quantity of oats, a four-horse threshing machine, which cost upwards of £200, a weighing machine, some harrows, pitchforks, sieves, and farming implements, the whole of which were destroyed. The re is very little room to doubt that the fire was the work of an incendiary; as it will be remembered that several attempts have been made to fire Mr. M'Lean's growing crops. When the fire was discovered by some of the workmen, the whole of the roof had fnllen in, and there was no possibility of saving either the bam or its contents. Mr M'Leari estimates his loss at £400; but he was insured in the Melbourne office for £180. The police are now making inquiries, with the view of tracing, if possible, the dastardlvperpetrator ofthe deed.—J3«Jfara* Star, 21st April.