THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam.” DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1864.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22628, 20 July 1935, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam.” DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1864.

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO.

In yesterday’s paper we published an account of the Manuherikia Diggings, in which several references were made to the astounding auriferous wealth of the Molyueux; and in another part of the same issue appeared a letter from Mr Sigley, a contractor, suggesting that a thorough examination should be made of the river’s bed, and if it were found to confirm expectations that some eleven miles of its course should be diverted.

Several plans, at one time or another, have been mooted in regard to diverting the river. Our readers have before now had ■ under their notice one for opening the old channel from the Wakatip to the Mataura, which would have the effect of draining the Kawarau and easing the Molyneux of one half its volume. The danger of causing extensive damage to the settlements along the Mataura by the flooding of that river is the chief obstacle in the way of this proposal. Mr Sigley’s suggestion is of a more practical nature. He proposes to turn about eleven miles of the river. The spot he selects is betwfcen the_ Dunstan and the Manuherikia. There is a level alluvial plain running between these two places through which there would be no difficulty in cutting a channel for the river—relieved of its main stream, pumping would do the rest. The water would seek out a wide bed in its new channel, and when returned to its old course, Mr Sigley not unreasonably anticipates, it will have laid bare extensive auriferous deposits ill its temporary home. The capital necessary to test the part' of the river on which he desires to operate is the chief difficulty, and he meets it most ingeniously. Provided the_ examination proved the river to be rich, the profits would be so enormous that shares in the undertaking _ would be eagerly sought after. Mr Sigley therefore. proposed to give those who subscribe towards the examination the preference in taking up shares. Each shilling subscribed would, in fact, according to his plan, represent the right of the subscriber to the allocation of a share. The idea seems very feasible, and we cannot doubt that if placed before the public in a proper light the necessary money would be subscribed in a single day. . . .

The Select Committee appointed by the Nelson Provincial Council to take into consideration the communication from the New Zealand Christian Colonisation Society have reported as follows: “That your Committee cannot recommend the Council to entertain the proposals of the Christian Colonisation Society; the Land Regulations of this Province, in their present shape, entirely precluding their acceptance, and the doubtful success attending the Society’s operations elsewhere in New Zealand affording, in the opinion of your Committee, no adequate inducement to recommend the alteration of our Waste Land Regulations so as to render such acceptance possible." (Signed) Henry Adams, Chairman. The dredging machines on the river at Manuherikia are doing very well, some of the parties engaged in this system of working earning over £2 per day. A great number of persons were yesterday morning summoned before the Resident Magistrate, and severely fined for destroying newly formed footpaths by driving their horses and drays across them. ...

At the meeting of the Town Board yesterday the salary of Mr John Lazar, the clerk, was raised from L4OO a year to LSOO. The only objector was Mr David Miller, jun., who thought L4OO a year enough, although he fully admitted the effici<A:y of Mr Lazar’s services.

Ten of the alpacas recently offered for sale by the New South Wales Government have been secured for Victoria at the price of L2l each—a sum ridiculously low, considering the enormous expense attending the importation of the animals from Peru.