DUNSTAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 621, 24 October 1863, Page 6

DUNSTAN.

(from the daily times correspondent.) October 16th, 1863. The township presents a far bu3ier aspect than it has done for many a month past. The snow is melt, iup, 1 , and the ground beco ning workable in the back -gu lifts high up in the surrounding ranges, which tor the last month or so have been bouud up in icy bonds against the incursions of the eutei prising miner who delights to push forwaid into parts hithert) only partially explored, in the hope of more quickly rea lis-in.'.- his " pile," rather than follow in tiie fbotsters of what, using a mining phrase, is known the "mob " Numbers of parties are arriving daily, many of thfm being propcly equipped with pack horse:-, well ladsn with the necessaiy provisions, and the vaiiou3 p-ra-phernalia suitable to their calling. The arrivals are principally from the lower digging?, including a large number from fhe Australian colonies interinixai; with {a sprinkling of "new chums." To the rear of ihe main sticefc, aud just undar the tcirace> there is a bort of a transitory township formpil, or rather constantly foimiug, for both the inhabitants aud their places of abode, which are of a very frt.il character, and not erected with any view either to durability or per.i anence, are constantly in a state of transition. No sooner do some leave for the ranges than others take their places, from town or elsewhere when in I heir tutu, or till such times as they satisfy themselves of the mott desirable quarter to go to, do likewise. The arrivals of long string? of loaJel teani3 hden wLh merchandise, which almost invariably block up the narrow street every morning, show that tha trading community are anticipating a prosperous cimpaigu during the ensuing summer. The proprieto s also of several business establishments are making improvements iv their premises. To soma are being added glass fronts in place of the unsightly calico which for so long has done duty, or are mgjged pulling down and bulking anew altogether. As an addition to our amusements a brass band h"s made its appearance, and may be heard nightly b aying out polka", schottishes and quadri lea to the votaries of Terpsichore, who are always to be found among a mining population, and may be considered one of the necessary adjuncts of a gold field. Of these dancing saloons we have two, one at the Victoii.i Theatie (the drama for the present being laid on the shelf), and the other at the Union Hotel. Both houses are nightly crowded, the dances being enlivened by songs from professionals 'at stated intervals. We are again annoyed with a dearth in the coal market, the supplies for the last fortnight being altogether stopped. 'Ihe contractors for raising that useful household commodity are making a sad mess of It. Every now and then the mine gets flooded through the grit wearing away the trumpery tin pumps with which they profess to drain the workings — consequently the inhabitants are compelled to do without fires except in the preparation of food, the cost of wood being so great, that when coal is not procurable the idea of afire must be abandoned. It is a pity these contractors do not follow the example from Messrs Elakely and Co., of the ManuheriHa, and fix their pumps (which should be of a more durable nature) so that they could be worked bj means of a waterwheel, a thing they might easily accomplish, as a stream of water is running to waste almost close at haud. It is very clear that something must, be done in tie matter, or the (government will b) called upon to lescind the contract and re-let it to people who are willing and able to raise a sufficient supply. Messrs Holt and lioscoe, the contractors for driving the Victoria prospecting tunnel arc! now in with their work over 300 feet. They crossed the dip where the first prospect was obtained and struck the reJ aghin after driving about 40 feet. The dip or supposed gutter is runuing parallel with the cousseof the river, its depth was not so greit as expected, not being over four feet, and very little jruld at the bottom. At nearly the extremity of the tunnel a very promising prospect was oU.ined a few- days ago, beingeleven pennyweights from three barrow loads of dirt but unfoitunately that portion which conta'ns the precious metul is very small, only a very few inches l>in* immediately upon the bed rock. The prospectors intend still continuing their work, being assured from the prospects obtained, that a payable lead will yet be found. The dead body of a man was found alongside the bank of the riyer-immediately opposite the hospital. It apparently had beendepo.-ited there by the current From appeal anccs it uun>t have been in the water fully two months; nil the clothes were rotted oft 1 the body, and the state of decomposition was such tint recognition would he impossible. "Tlio Hr jlie Testimoni.il is proceeding very satisfactory, about £150 has already been raised, and when the amount from tha Lower Township is added, it is confidently expected to reach little short of £200 Of course in thh case the publicans have been very liberal, as they should have been, considering thu benefits conferred upon them in the reduction of the license fee, mainly through the efforts of Mr Brodie. •

The coaches of Messrs. Cobb and Co. are to commence running to the Kawariu forthwith. Yesterda\ the necessary quantity of horses, together with a coach, we. c successfully crossed the river. The landing of the vehicle on the opposite bank being greeted with loud cheers by ttiose who wUmssed the opjratiou.