DUNSTAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 752, 28 April 1866, Page 7

DUNSTAN.

(prom the daily times cobrespondent.) 23rd April.

On Wednesday last we were visited by a severe gale of wind from the S. W. On the ranges it snowed heavily, rendering travelling impossible at high altitudes.. There was no great amount of harm done to buildings, beyond the loosening of a few sheets of iron, or the destruction of sundry calico roofs; but the clouds of dust were intolerable. It found its way through thesmallest of apertures, rendering the interior of dwellings, however snug and secluded, anything but agreeable. la. some of the river gorges the gusts were peculiarly violent ; horses would not face it, and for a time either came to a stand still or turned in an opposite direction.. The Molyneux went down considerably,, the high wind keeping the water back in the lakes. To all appearances, we are going to have a very 6evere winter* Residents who have been for a long time, in the district, are strongly of opinion that we shall have such a season of frostyweather that has not been experienced for many years. Should such be the case, we have much cause for congratulation, as the Molyneux will become a field of considerable attraction. Last season there was but little work done on the beaches.. The gold is still there, waiting the going, down of the waterp, and whoever may be lucky enough to be on the spot when the Molyneux shall attain an unusually lowlevel, which at intervals it certainly does do, will be able to realise something handsome in an extraordinary short space* of time.

On Thursday evening, an accident happened to M'Dougall's mail coach from.. Queen stown, as it was passing EockyPoint, about 9 p.m., on its way to Clyde* The light from the lamps caused one of the horses to ?hy and swerve to one side ; the off fore wheel coming into contact with one of the rocks which here line the. road on both sides, capsized the vehicle The driver, fortunately, was able to retain his hold of the reins, so that the vehicle was soon righted, without having suffered much damage. The passengers— seven in, number, one of them being Mr M'Glashan, member of the Provincial Council — were all more or less hurt-. A female who was on her way to Dunedin was compelled to re-» main atCiyde, being so very much bruised. This portion of the Lakes road is extremely dangerous ; it is scarcely twelve feet in width— in fact, it is nothing more than a Barrow ledge cut round a rocky precipice. The occupants of the vehicle, instead of regretting the disaster, ought really ta congratulate themselves that they were not precipitated into the Mblyneux. The attention of the road engineers should be directed towards this place before some serious casualty does occur. A few poundslaid out in cutting down some bad pinche3 and in removing rocks, may probably be the means of saving life. The notification from the Government requiring holders of water rights to register under the Guldfields Amendment Act of 1865, has created considerable disgust. The payment of 53 per head as registration, fee is considered nothing more than what is colonialiy known as " making a rise." However, as it is very clear that there is in law no valid title to water rights unless registered under the new Act, the grants not having been sanctioned by the General Government, the best course is to register, and submit to being mulcted in the sum of 5s for every head of water held. Two cases, which excited considerable interest, respecting the proprietors of water races not letting a sufficient quantity of water iun down the natural channel of creeks, were heard at Alexandra, •before Warden Robinson and assessors. Verdicts were, however, given in both cases for the defendants.

The water race interest is gradually becoming a very important one, and races that command a large extent of country, and are situated so that they cannot be opposed, are rapidly increasing in value. This kind of property is a sure investment; it may not be so immediately remunerative as quartz reefing, but it is inexhaustible, and time will increase its value.