DUNSTAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 670, 10 February 1864, Page 6

DUNSTAN

(from our own correspondent),

Dunstan, Bth February.

The Enterprise Company, consisting of a body of tradesmen who have spiritedly undertaken to develope if possible the auriferous resources of the Dunstan Flat by sinking a shaft at the toot of the terraces, near the racecourse, inaugurated the proceedings on the afternoon of Tuesday last. The company arrived upon the site of their intended shaft about two o'clock in the afternoon, Mr F. W. Eicke, who has taken a great deal of trouble in getting up the undertaking, addressed those present as follows:—He was very glad that the result of his labors on the Dunstan and in New Zealand generally had fceen productive of some good towards his fellow creatures as well as himself, and of the ultimate result of the, present undertaking. He had no doubt himself, like many others who had come to the Dunstan, could .not .help being fully convinced of its vast auriferous resources, was thoroughly aware of the gold-bearing nature of the "Terrace's," and, that they ultimately would be found to yield amazingly. Their project was intended for the sole benefit of the people of the Dunstan, and all the reward they required was the recognition by the public of their services for the untiring zeal and exertion they had used in.bringing the undertaking to its present issue. There was no doubt about the quantity of gold that existed on the flat, the tunnels that had been driven in from the river's bank had proved that; and it was found that the ground all dipped in towards the "Terraces," he was sure there existed a lead of gold somewhere, and trusted that they would be successful in finding it. The success of their project would be the making of the Dunstan, and it-would ultimately become the Ballaarat of New Zealand. He then called upon the Warden, H. W. : Robinson, Esq., the gentleman appointod to commence the work of sinking the shaft, to remove the first sod. The Warden said that he was fully convinced; with Mr Eicke of the profitable result of the present undertaking, and the great benefits that •would ensue from its success. He hadgreatexpectatiops when the other shaft was sunk, that much good would, proceed from it,'but''such unfortunately had not been the case. One shaft did not prove a flat, more than "one swallow made a summer." The failure of one should not deter enterprising men from trying again. Evi-: dentJy there had had been a heavy run of water somewhere in the flat, but as regards the probable looality of the gold deposits, everybody had a theory of his own. There was little doubt that there was a lead through the flat. The remarks made by Mr Eieke were borne out by the results of tunnelling at the KaTarau. There they had gone 300 and 400 feet in from the banks of the river, and the further they went they found che prospects improve. One shaft had certainly "■ , been bottomed, near a hill like this, without finding gold at a depth of 200 feet, but then there existed s great dip, which had not yet ! been explored. Was pleased to find the residents of the Dunstan had taken in hand .what the Government had generally been looked forward to do. Government prospecting has most always proved a failure; there was always a certain fatality attending it, its non-success may be attributed', to the want of a proper overlooking party; no one appeared to be responsible, and the employer was such a general one that no proper supervision was kept up. In this case the work being performed by the payment of daily wages to competent workmen, he had no fear but that it would be done well, and even should it not prove a success, the loss would not be so very great and could easily be borne. Another company was also starting with the' same* object in yiew, and even should half a dozen shafts be sunk and fail to prove the object sought, it would be productive of a large amount of good, and afford , a great degree of information that would be of great use' to future prospectors. ■ He (the Warden) then proceeded with his appointed task and removed several shovels full of earth together with a huge boulder which had imbedded itself deeply below the surface, handling his pick and shovel in a thorough digger-like fashion, completing bis work amidst considerable applause. Mr- Julian Coates; Chief Mining Surveyor, said—in reference to the Goreihment prospecting shaft, that it was sunk by contract, and was by no means done well, but the contractor had paid the penalty of his neglect'with his life. The sub stratum of this fiat had'long been his study. Theoretically parties were always different but in practice they were unanimous; but there can be little doubt that a heavy deposit of gold exists somewhere in this locality. It is always found that gold, from its specific gravity, was in heaviest masses on the ranges; he had found gold 3000 feet above the level of the Clutha, and had proved the existence oi gold in the Fraser River some time before any diggers were on the ground. From a place, which lie indicated, a paddock was sunk ana ninety ounces obtained in a very short space of time. He thought that by sinking on the present spot they would come upon a bed of pipeclay which probably overlaid the old river bed, and which ■ most likely they would strike. Judging by appearances there existed a check,, which had no doubt arrested in its course a run of gold, which he had every reason to believe they were likely to strike. 1 1 was his most cherished wish to aflord any information that lay in his power, either in bis official capacity or through any knowledge he might have obtained by the result of diligent researches he had made in the snow clad ranges of this district,'.where he had spent weeks investigating their auriferous worth, to prospectors or any parties disposed to give the place a trial. There was an unlimited amount of auriferous drift in this district, and he had no doubt but that many valuable discoveries were yet to be made. ; Mr Geo.Brodie, M.H.R., then proceeded to name the shaft, he having undertaken the duties of sponsor, and said that the late accident in the Government shaft should not deter parties from sinking again. The nature of the ground was certainly very treacherous, but he had no doubt that with proper care it could be worked in safety. Believed the present company would do all in their power to ensure it, and hoped that the undertaking would prove a success. He should be most happy to be a guest at the dinner which he had no doubt the shareholders would give on the declaration of their first weekly or fortnightly dividend. He concluded by breaking a bottle of champagne over the excavation made by the Warden, and named the shaft " The Enterprise," amidst immense cheering. The workmen then immediately commenced their labors. The Company then drank in bumpers of generous wine, "Success to the Enterprise Gold Mining Company," and returned to the Dunstan. His Honor the Superintendent has since promised that, should the subscribed capital of the company be insufficient for the completion of the shaft, he will subsidise their funds to the extent of one hundred pounds; and guarantee a like amount to any other party similarly engaged. The Pioneer Hydraulic Mining and Sluicing Company are getting on rapidly with their model of the new rotary pumping apparatus, and a trial of its merits is expected to take place in a few days. The rush at Campbell's Gully is proceeding most satisfactorily; many of the paddocks are turning out remarkably well. The Wiakea is also looking up considerably; some of the claims are yielding very handsome returns. The Progress Committee held their Quarterly Meeting at the Clyde Hotel on Wednesday evening last; six members were present. After a small amount of unimportant business had been got through, it was proposed by Mr 8. Jacobs, and seconded by Mr M'fherson, " That now the land is sold, and most of the inhabitants are their own freeholders, other interests may arise which are not at present represented. The committee do therefore call a publicmeeting at an early date and resign their trust into the hands of the public,"—Carried. The meeting then dispersed, after instructing the secretary to prepare a report < of'thejast quarter's proceedings for publication

His Honor the Superintendent left for Dunedin, via Tuapeka, on Thursday last. The day previous he plnyed a game at cricket with the West Siders against the East. His Honor's side came off victorious.

The "Dunstan Times," or the "Dunstan News" redivivus, made its debut on Saturday morniner. The editor is Mr Geo. Brodie, M.R H. It is a double crown sheet, tolerably well got up. The matter is of that style peculiar to a gold field, and infinitely better written than the rubbish which disgraced its predecessor. A case of considerable interest was heard at the Police Court on Friday, A n xnanamed Dunn charged Detective Trimble with violently assaulting him on the night of the 29th January last. From the evidence, it appears that the plaintiff was attempting to forcibly enter the premises of awoman known " Hobart Town Annie," and threatening to murder the inmates. One of the residents, named Emma Besgrove, alias the '« Ladybird," who, fearing for her personal safety, rßn to fetch a policeman, and seeing Detective Trimble at the VictoriaHotelpought his assistance; he at once proceeded to the scene of disturbance, and had no sooner arrived there than the plaintiff struck him a blow on the head, which was returned in rather a severe manner by the defendant, inflicting a considerable cut on the; temple of plaintiff, who denied being the aggressor. ' Evidence was produced which showed that the plaintiff had several times threatened to do for the defendant. The Magistrate decided, that, he was always ready to protect the police in the execution: of their duty, but not in its excess, and condemned the assault on Dunn as not being needed and far too severe iv its nature. Inflicted a fine of 40? and cost 3. . The new edition of the " Weekly Witness" gave universal satisfaction to all part es, especially the miners, who seemed to thoroughly appreciate the liberality and enterprise of its proprietors in preparing them such a well got up .and readable newspaper. There was a very large demand for copies. . ,