COUNTRY NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1032, 9 September 1871, Page 9

COUNTRY NEWS.

(FROM OUR OWN COK.KESPONOENT.S ) EAST TAIEIII. The downpour of rain stopped at daybreak this (Thursday) morning, after continuing steadily for 60 hotirs, and the flood lias begun to fall slowly. As yet, however, there is very little ground to be seen on the flooded farms, and some of the fences are still several feet under water. The West Taieri has escaped this time, and the Owhiro district is again the sufferer. It was through the action of a late resident in that district that the cut in the river bank was made some years ago. Unless some steps are taken in this matter, there will always be danger from flood, and the amount of the losses from this caiise alone would repair the breach in one year. I mentioned yesterday that part of Mr Larnach's cattle had been removed to dry ground. They were all got on to the hill last night. The Silverstream is still largely overflowing its banks. OAMARU. At last rain has fallen in the Oamaru district, a steady downfall taking place on Monday night, and part of Tuesday and Wednesday. This will be an immense boon to the farmers, who were beginning to dread injury to the crops. The rain has just come in time to give both grain crops and grass a good start. A largely increased area of land is under cultivation this year, and along all the main lines of road for miles out of Oamaru the land is nearly all under crop, or being ploughed up, Some oats yet remain to sow, and a good deal of grass seed will be sown next month ; but the wheat was mostly in early, and in many places is well forward, considering the extreme dryness of the season, and there seems now every promise of an abundant yield. The Oamaru Harbour Works have been slowly progressing, and the tramway cutting, which was commenced at both ends, has nearly met in the middle, though the full width has not yet been attained. A large amount of reclamation has been made near the jetty, and a fortnight's work would suffice to bring the stone work out to a level with the piece of the jetty, still standing about 70 feet from the shore, and nearly to the edge of the Bhallow water on the reef of rocks. A shingly beach is already being formed against the slope of the rock work ; and there is not a sign of any movement, except of some loose rubble on the top, where the wall is rather low, and is tipped by some of the heavier seas. Rough tramways are laid down from the edge of the quarry to the outer part of the work, and the heavy stones are lifted on to the trucks by the large crane and conveyed to their destination, four or five men keeping a truck going. The quarry is looking magnificent. A face 100 feet high by 50 feet wide, of splendid quality, is opened out, and each blast brings down or cracks sufficiently to handle a large mass of stone. The reclamation ground has a length of 160 feet by an extreme breadth, at present, of 150 feet. The heavier stones are placed at the bottom of the smaller stones, and nibble on the top, so as to form a good surface. The concrete work will not commence till the reclamation is caiTied 20 feet or 30 feet further out, and from that point 200 feet of wall will be siifficient to extend into 12 feet of water at low tide. Unfortunately the Provincial Government have entirely failed in their payments, to which they are bound by their contact with the Dock Trust, and the contractors have, I understand, given notice that unless they are paid at once the amount of certificates issued by the Engineer — some £1750 — they will be compelled to stop the works. This would result in serious loss, and it is to be hoped that some means will be found to avoid it. MOUNT BEXGEK. For the last 48 hours there has been almost incessant rain, and, as a consequence, the creeks are flooded from bank to brae. The river is rising, but has not as yet attained a very high level. Mining — as my silence for some time might lead yon to judge — is at a standstill in the portion of country more properly known as Mount Benger, but in the outlying gullies and " over the ranges " men are making good wages. I am glad to have to report that the pheasants turned out by Messrs Cargill and Anderson are thriving, They appear to take kindly to their new habitat, and have already commenced nesting. While on the subject of acclimatisation, I wish to call attention to the advantages likely to result from the introduction of the eland into this country. Judging from personal observation of the attempts made in England, I believe Otago to be admirably fitted for the growth of this valuable antelope, much more so, indeed, than for the red deer, which is peculiarly dainty in its food. Our local has by the last fliaij received, Rot}c.e of J»e acceapion to a

fortune variously estimated ( at from £15,000 to £130,000, the latter, I believe, being nearest the mark. The time when "lie fought wild beasts at Roxburgh" will no doubt furnish material to the happy legatee for anything but flattering reminiscences of Otago.

We are all pretty unanimous — a rarity — in praying for the success of Mr Maeandrew's resolutions in the Assembly, which nre generally regarded as the most statesmanlike solution of a very difficult q\iestion yet brought forward. A very successful ball and supper in aid of the Tuapeka Hospital came off in Ormond's Hotel, on the 20th August. Mr Ormond very generously paid all the expenses out of his own pocket, so that the tickets sold went to the Hospital without any deduction. Such liberality, it is to be hoped, will find numerous imitators. CROMWELL. The Colclough Quartz Reef Company cleaned up a crushing of about 130 tons, with the astonishing result of about 00 ounces of gold. I say "astonishing," because it was confidently expected up till, I might say, the last moment, that at least 250 ounces would have been realised. Possibly the stone is really poor, but I am sure it would be impossible to convince any one who saw the stone before being crushed that such was the case. It presented all the outward appearances of considerable richness. The men on the claim are busy taking up twenty tons more from the same part of the reef from which the 130 tons were taken, with a view to a further trial of the same stone. The portion of the twenty tons now taken up is said to present the same appearance i of richness as before.

The Cromwell Spring Meeting comes off on Tuesday, sth September, and followed as it is by a similar meeting on the Dunstan racecourse on the Friday following, it ought to attract a considerable number of the sporting fraternity from far and near. The meetings on both courses "will, I believe, be very good. Indeed, I understand that the Cromwell and Dunstan Jockey Clubs have arranged the races so that the one meeting should, as it were, fit into the other. The interval between the Cromwell day (Tuesday) and the Dunstan meeting will be filled up by a series of pigeon matches, and probably a second day's racing. A most ill-advised and unjustifiable arrangement in the shape of a memorial addressed to His Honour the Superintendent, and purporting to come from the Mayor and Council of Cromwell, came to light last week. It reflected in a most uncalled for manner on the conduct of Mr Pyke as 11. M. and Warden for the district, and to aggravate the offence, was got up in that stealthy, keep-it-dark sort of fashion, which I sincerely trust will not be taken as an example by the present or any future Mayor and Council. The present Mayor and Council very properly refuse to endorse the thing.

Another memorial (one of the right sort this time) has been prepared in the matter of the mail service. It is desired to change the second day's terminus from Clyde to Cromwell ; and many good reasons are shewn for doing so. When we remember that eight years ago the coach I (Cobb and Co.) proposed to run from Clyde to Dunedin, and vice row in one day, we may dismiss the childish notion of the impossibility of running a coach from Dunedin to Cromwell, and rice rerun, in two days. j Thomas Carpenter, who was charged before Mr Pyke, R.M., with stealing amalgam from the Pwoyal Standard Company, was on Friday last committed to stand his trial at the next Criminal Sessions in Dunedin. The prisoner was very ably defended by Mr Wilson, solicitor, who took advantage of every point to avert committal, but without avail. The case will be one of great interest to the I mining community. [ blacks. I The weather since my last continued '■ beautiful up to last night, when we had the i heaviest fall of snow that has taken place this winter. It continued till about ten o'clock to-day, when we had two or three fine hours, and then it commenced to rain, and still contimies to do so. Mining matters are pretty dull and quiet at present, with nothing of any importance to report, although I am glad to state there is over lOOOozs. of gold ready for next Monday's escort, so that Blacks is not the insignificant place some people, especially the Government, seem to think. Is it not hard to tliink that this district has not had a Wardens' Court held in it now for over four months, more especially considering the immense amount of revenue the Government derive from it ? The Try Again Company met on Saturday last at Blacks No. 3, to christen and turn the first sod of the new shaft. It Avas christened, and the sod duly turned by one of the lady residents of the place. After the ground had been wetted with champagne, the Company adjourned to ono of the hotels, and spent a pleasant ■ Hour, when all returned to their respec* I

tive homes, well satisfied with the starting of the "Try Again." A great and pleasing excitement has 'been created in tho township by the report that Mr Carew h;^ been appointed Warden for Blacks. fn his occasional official visits during the last three months to our Court Hoxiso, he has proved himself an efficient officer, and has gained the respect and good-will of the people by his courteotis and gentlemanly address.

It is my painful duty to have to report the death of an old and respected resident of o\ir district, after a lingering and pain ful illness of some sixteen months. 1 allude to Mr Beck, of the White Horse Hotel.

A Magisterial enquiry took place at Ida Valley, yesterday, on the death of a second child in the same family within the last three weeks. It seems both children had been ailing for some time, and the parents had called in no medical advice, although there were very efficient M.D.'s within reach. The Acting Magistrate severely reprimanded the parents for their inhuman neglect : and it is at present uncertain whether the Resident Magistrate may not order the body of the last child to be exhumed, and a po*t-mw-tem examination held. SWITZERS. The Escort, under charge of Mr SubInspector Moore, took down to-day 1000 ozs., within a pennyweight or two; and though it is the best Escort return for .some time past, yet it does not represent the whole of the gold that has left the district this month, if I am informed correctly. The figures speak for theniseh es as to the gold yielding capabilities of this district.

Mining affairs here are reported generally as dull, but in some of the surrounding .spots they are statod to be healthy. When fine weather comes, one will be able to get about to gather fuller particulars, but just at present it is almost impossible to stir about much on account of the mud.

The entertainment on behalf of the Hospital came off, as announced, on the 25th, and the night being tine, there was a crammed house — one of the best ever seen in the place. The entertainment was divided into three parts ; a selection of glees, songs, it a, fi farce, and an amateur Christys performance. The performers mustered very strongly — there being twenty lady and gentlemen vocalists, ac companied by two pianists, two violinists, one flautist, one cornet, and a clarionet player. The farce was performed by six gentlemen, two taking female characters, and there were nine in the Christy Company. Such an array has not been seen since S withers became Switzers. Everything went off well, except the Christys, which went flat, owing to the pianist refusing at the last moment to accompany. Mr Cooper's balloon, while being inflated, met with an accident, but as it is reparable Mr C. will try to guard against a similar occurrence at the next entertainment. After the performances were over, dancing was indulged in till near daylight. Everybody was pleased with the success of the affair, and the amount to be handed to the Hospital Committee, with the pound for pound added, ought to be something good. The Hospital Committee held its usual monthly meeting last night, when an attempt was made to re-obtain the services of Dr Lake, and if the Government would only come up to the mark with respect to paying up promptly the subsidy due, so that all outstanding liabilities may be cleared off, I do not doubt that that gentleman would re-undertake the duties at the Committee's request, and the Institution be prevented from being closed.

I do not know positively whether we arc entitled to a clean bill of health yet, but no new cases of scarlatina have been reported, and it is to bo hoped it is now thoroughly defunct. The weather has been exceedingly variable of late, many very sudden changes having been experienced. On Tuesday last, shortly after noon, the temperature dropped at a very rapid rate, and was followed by rain intermingled with snow. The rain was heavy and continuous, and has damaged one or two of the races and been productive of a landslip or two. The hills all around are covered with snow, and there is every appearance at the present time of frost. The entrance to Switzers from Invercargill is getting worse and worse, and I have heard it discussed that shortly a fresh track must be made, or there will be no getting in or out for vehicles. Raceholdeis who have cut races across the road, ought, I tliink, to be made to put plank crossings over the wittings, or at least to make them more substantial than they are at present, as accidents to oattle are likely to be the result. If s<>, owners say they will make the raceholders pay up for damages, and the verdict will likely bo "served him right." NOKOMAI. Since my last there has been a regular rush of. Chines^ mostly new hands in,

the country, and from them we learn large numbers are to follow. At this rate we shall soon be overrun with them ; but 1 do not see what injury they can do to a half-tried iield like this, and the storekeepers certainly don't object to their coming.

I cannot report any large finds, and sil though some of the claims are doing very \\ ell, and the spiirs round Paddy's Alley are shewing rich ; but to work this ground races are required, and these it seems would cotit more money than our miners have to spare. There is no doubt the heavy gold of the district is lodged in the Hat, and with a little assistance from capitalists, 1 am sure the miners would give it a trial.

Mr Wood, the Warden, is here on his usual official visit, but there are no cases of any public interest. We have no resident officials of any sort, but if our population increases, I suppose the Government will give some police protection.

The inhabitants are hoping that the proposed new land lav,' will enable them to purchase land in this locality. Would it not be a wise expenditure on the part of the Government to print the resolutions in the weekly papers, and allow the public to judge of them before they are finally- passed i T wonder if the Chinese will ever be allowed to enter the Legislature, and so take part in governing the country. lam sure they are as intelgent as the Maoris, and certainly quieter.