DUNSTAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 715, 12 August 1865, Page 3

DUNSTAN.

(FROM THE DAII.T TIMES CORRESPONDENT.) 4th August.

For the last three weeks the Molyne ux has steadily fallen, and is now within two feet of beini: as low as la^t winter. Most of the beach claims are workable, numbers of miners having already taken up ground. There is a large amount of gold being obtained by these workers, and while the riyer remains at a low level, a state of universal prosperity, as far as the mining community is concerned, is sure to prevail. Labor is exceedingly scarce, but few men at present being inclined to work for wajes.

The preserves of the b itchers have at la^t been invaded by Messrs Campbell airl Lcvv, run-holders, of Manuherikia. These gentlemen have spiritedly come forward to the rescue, and have reduced the price of meat to 4id per pound. Th<* sheep are killed on toe station, and carted into Clyde, whence they are sold in halves and quarters. Messrs Campbell and Low state that, although the price to us is comparatively insignificant when compared to what we have br>en paying, they are well satisfied to supply us with the finest quility of meat at the figure. It is to be hoped thit other settlers will follow the good example, and the diy will not be far distant when the number of the mining community will be doubled and trebled. Cheap livinj will soon bring a population, and the large arias of around, which, under the old regiim, were deemed not sufficiently rich in the precious metal to pay for labor, will fiud busy occupants. One of the girders of the new bridge crossing the Clutha at Crom.voll. w^s puc-ces-fully placed upon the abutments on Tuesday afternoon ; the affair was witnessed by almost every inhabitant of Cromwell, all of whom welcomed the event as the speedy lorerunner of the completion of a long and tediou? unlertaking. The Pioneer Sluicing Company have completed their new race to German Beach. They commenced sluicing operl ations yesterday afternoon. The water is brought from the Hanging R >ck Creek, and carried through the Company's first course of fluniing, which has been strengthened for the purpose. It leaves the old race at the first earth cutting, where it desends a steep in-line till it reaches the main road to Cromwell, which is crossed by an open culvert, afterwards the water pursues ifs wiy to its destimtion, at a moderate inclin?. The friends of Mr George Brodie, M.P C. and M.H.R., are about to present this gentleman with a testimonial, in conI sideration of his services a goldfields re- ! prcsentative. A meeting of his friends was held a few evenings since, and a Committee was formed to carry out the object.

7th August

The weather still continues very favorable for the pursuit of minin<r oparations in the banks of the Molyneux, which river still continues steadily to fall, and it is now within fifteen inches of being as low as at any time list winter. In the neighborhood of the township of Clyde numbers of parties are busily engaged putting in wing dams, and making other preparations for working their claims.

Friday last beiii^ the polling day for the election of Superintendent, our hitherto dull sleepy township shook off some portion of its lethargic stupor ; the friends of the rival candidates having caused quite an excitement in their exertions to secure the greatest amount of support for their favorite. Mr M'Glashan's supporters, however, had the best of it, and obtained 19 votes for that gentleman, Mr Dick only recording 5.

On Saturday evening a public meeting was held at the Dunstan Hotel, for the purpose of presenting Mr Charles Rowley, who is about leaving the district, with a watch and appendages, in consideration of his valuable and disinterested services in matters of public interest. The meeting was well attended, most of the influential business men in the town being present. Mr James Hazlitt, who was unanimously voted to the chair, offered some brief but well-timed remarks upon the many services rendered the public by Mr Rowley, and read an address signed by the subscribers to the testimonial.

A new rush is reported at the head of Lake Wanaka, but nothing reliable is known as yet ; gold has, however, been found in remunerative quantities, both in that neighborhood and the Makarora river. An universal opinion is also held that fhe country at the base of the dividing ranges. only requires to be prospected. The discoveries at Hokitika and the Grey would infer that a belt of auriferous country extends by that route to the West Coast, and were a thorough trial to be made, something would undoubtedly be found. The opening up of a track to the West Coast might be of immense benefit i in securing this much desired object.