DUNSTAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 876, 12 September 1868, Page 3

DUNSTAN.

(from our own correspondent.)

Clyde, 7th September. Mr Vincent Pyke commenced his duties as Warden of this Goldfield on Monday last. Though regretting the loss of Mr Robinson's services, the miners and business people are everywhere satisfied with Mr Pyke as Warden and Resident Magistrate, and believe that his knowledge of mining matters will considerably benefit the district. The plan adopted by Mr Pyke of disallowing non-profes-sional persons to appear in Court, either in the conduct or defence of criminal cases, is a vast improvement upon previous arrangements, and delinquents will stand a much better chance of meeting their deserts at the hands of the law than they have done.

The dredging machines are reaping a good harvest. In the very centre of the Molyneux, opposite to the Dunstan Hospital, the Alabama Company have hit upon some splendid ground, the yield for the lasc two weeks being 75ozs and 80ozs respectively. Wherever there is gravel in the middle of the river, there appears to be plenty of gold ; and when the river is sufficiently low — which, upon an average, is fully six months in the year — the occupation of dredging is very lucrative. As a rule, it is the most profitable description of mining for gold ; and the wonder is that it is not more generally followed. The expense of building a dredge is the only drawback. If timber were as cheap here as in Victoria, I fully believe that dredging machines would be as common on the Molyneux as puddling machines are on the Bendigo Flat ; and the extraction of gold from the beds of our rivers would comprise a branch of industry supporting several thousands of men.

The quartz reef at Bendigo Gully will shortly have a good trial, although from the character of the stone laying at grass, success is almost assured. The Company owningthe reef have purchased the Hindon crushing plant, and purpose being ready to commence crushing operations at the commencement of the new year.

The claims at Frenchman's Beach are being worked with considerable energy, and the yields of gold are highly satisfactory. From the Frenchman's claim it is said that there are taken upon an average one hundred ounces per day.

Startling details connected with the escape from the Chatham Islands crop up from time to time. One of the most exciting is recorded by a correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald. He 6ays : — During the late Hanhau panic, an old whaler who has resided on this island for many years was, to his unutterable disgust, metamorphosed into a soldier pro tern, and, as such, was one night posted as sentry on an enclosed, track of land overlooking the western side of Waitangi Harbour. Pacing to and fro in the dim religious light, he heard a strange and mysterious rustling amongst the adjacent bushes, and. perceived, or fancied he perceived, the indistinct outline of a figure advancing towards him. "We will venture to say bis heart began to throb and beat like his old ship in a gale of wind; nevertheless, he called out boldly and in a Btentorian voice, 'Who goes there?' To this interrogatory, however, he received no reply, and still the mysterious figure continued its advance ; whereupon, with musket presented and finger in deadly proximity with the trigger, he was about to let fly, when a most euphonious ' Baa' saluted his ears. *By the holy poker,' said he, 'that pass-word has saved your mutton this time ; pass on, old woolley head.'