DUNSTAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 802, 13 April 1867, Page 16

DUNSTAN.

(PKOM OVR OWN CORRESPONDENT }

Donstan, sth April, 1867.

The long continued drought is daily becoming more and more injurious to the mining interests ; and if we do not get some rain before lonpr, more than two thirds of the miners will at least be in a state of idleness. Creeks which previously always carried a good supply of water, are now quite dry, and never Bince the gold discoveries has tbe precious fluid been so scarce. The weather, instead of being wintry, is excessively warm and sultry, and most unseasonable. The Molyneux is gradually goiug down to a very low level ; and the Chinese ar<? reaping a rare jubilee harvest from its banks.

The Clyde Municipal Council held their usual fortnightly meeting on Tuesday last, but the business transacted was not of general importance. That bad portion of the Dunedin road which leads to the top of the terraces from the Dunstan Flat is being at last made good. Mr Walter Greenlaw, the District Road Engineer, upon receiving instructions to do so, set about the work energetically, and now it is well nigh completed.

CROMWELL.

! On Tuesday last, the children attending the Day and Sunday Schools were treated by th- School Committee and their friends to aPic-nic, which wa9 held upon one of the pleasant grassy slopes of the Mount Pisa Ranges, about three miles from Ch de. Every available vehicle in the township was specially engaged for the occasion, and thither the youngsters were conveyed in procession, cheering lustily as they went along. The sports on the ground were entered into lußtily, and what with dancing, kiss in the rinp, and blind man's buff, the afternoon was spent most pleasantly. Of the good things of this life, both in liquids and solids, there was ample provision, and each one, both old and young, enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content. Mr Whitter's band much enlivened the proceedings with some capital music. The members of the band, with great frankness, contributed their services gratuitously. In the evening there was a goodly gathering at the School-room of the adult portion of Cromwell ; and dancing once again, to the enlivening strains of Mr Whitter's band, was carried on till the small hours of night ban long passed away. The subject of regular visits of the Warden to the Nevis has again been taken up b) the miners there, and an indignation meeting on the subject was held on the 25th ult. at the Nevis Hotel, Lower Nevis. Mr F. Woolley occupied the chair. Resolutions condemnatory of the conduct of the district Warden were un- i aniniuualy carried. j

ALEXANDRA.

The subject of municipal institutions is engaging tne people here, and there is a strong desire to secure a Corporation for the town of Alexandra. A public meeting on the subject his been held, when it was unaninously carried that the Government should be petitioned to incorporate the town of Alexandra.

On Sunday la9t, a little boy of ten years old, the son of Mr Robert Finlay, of this town, lost his life by drowning in a water race which runs near his father's dwelling, on the west bank of the Molyneux. How the poor little Jellow got in, it iB hard to S3y, nevertheless the melancholy fact is greatly to be deplored. The want of water is seriously impeding mining operations. The sluicing claims are by no means being worked to advantage ; in many of them operations have ceased altogether. The Frenchman's party have just commenced paddocking, and should the season prove favorable, the lucky shareholders ought to clear something like L2OOO per man. The same lead of gold has been found to run through the terraced bank at the back of the Police Camp ; but the main bottom will not be reached there for the next twelve months to come, as the machinery required will take a long time to prepare, let alone the expense to be incurred.