DRYBREAD AND TINKERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1674, 22 December 1883, Page 16

DRYBREAD AND TINKERS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT) December 12. Christmas.— Preparations are going on for Christmas. As a rule we are not a very migratory lot up here, for we like to enjoy our roast beef and plurnpudding, or lamb and green peas, with new potatoes of our own growth, at home. Mining. — Christmas-time hero ia a busy time for the miners, as it is then they, or at any rate a good many of them, learn the result of their ycar'a work. Already Messrs Read and party have washed up, and have netted a good result, the out-turn being something over 700oz, which is far from uusatisfactory. I have been informed that a change has taken placo in the personnel of this claim, Mr James Tbotnp-on, an old resident in the district, who is desirous of visiting the Old Country, having disposed of his sbaie in the claim to two local gentlemen for £500. I hope the new shareholders will have as good a "divey"next washing-up as the seller had this. I am informed that the Undaunted Company are on good gold, and that the Blue Buck Company are getting their bottom well blown in with their elevator, so that by New Year both companies expect to get their usual large parcel of gold. The Bluo Duck has for the last year or two held the premier position among the claims, and it is hoped their expectations as to a good yield this washing-up will be realised. — The Matakanui Race Company have got their new race finished to Thomson's Gorge. This race belongs to a party at_ present working in Drybread, and ia intended to bring over the water they are now using at ground they possess at Sugar Pot, which I believe, it is their intention shortly to open up. The water is brought from the Lauder Creek, whioh is a constant source of supply. It is probable that they will have more water than they can use_, and will bo able to soil aotue, thuo turning tho race into a secondary fiourco of profit. Tho contract for cutting tho race waa undertaken by Mr D. Moian, and I beliovo he has 6atipfactorily carried it out. The only remaining po^-

tion to be done la to carry it aoros9 thb TiiiS it is likely will be done by pipes, as were they td carry it round the gorgo the expellee of cutting and blasting would bo very great. However, it is not yet decided in wh .t manner it will be taken across.

Racing —The Vincent Jockey Club are preparing for their meeting next month. 'The course is now being clipped and made ready, and the booth privileges have been bought by Mr Martin Gavin, of Blacks, as a ridiculously low figure, so low that he will make a good thing of ia provided that good weather be experienced! It is expected that thero will be a good muster of horses, aq our meeting follows immediately after the Cromwell Races, for which I am informed some very good horses are entered. Stakes amounting to £180 will be run for, and this, I think, is a very fair start for a new club. Should the meeting prove a success this yoar, doubtless better stakes will be given next year.

Scholastic.— Last week Sir Inspector Goyen visited and ex i mined this school, with the result that 22 out of 38 presented ' passed, giving a percentage of 68. The Inspector expressed himself as fairly satisfied with the result. I believe that roost of the failures, however, were attributable to frequent absences, especially so in the Fourth Standard, which I am informed was the weakest in the school, and here one word may be Urged in favour of the pupils with regard to frequent absence ; those who go from Tinkers have to cross the Spottis Creek, which, after a heavy rain, comes down in a flood, and overruns a good part of the fiat between the school and the station ; another thing, if it is likely to be a bad day many parents will not send their children to school, the distance being about two miles. lam aleo informed that there are about 70 on the school roll, and could the school be more favourably situated the attendance would be greatly augmented. While Mf Goyen was here a deputation from the Committee waited upon him to urge the necessity of removing tho teacher's rei-idence from its presetit site to the school reserve, which is securely fenced in ; they also informed the inspector that they had received notice from tho proprietors of the station to remove the pre sent building, as it was in the way of sheep driven and from the fetation. Mr Goyen promised to lay the matter before the Education Board, and it is to be hoped the result will be favourable.