NOKOMAI.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 17

NOKOMAI.

January 2.— The Christinas and New Year's holidays of 1886-7 passed off in a very quiet and orderly manuer, in fact it was without exception the quietest one I have seen in the colony. The weather was all that could be desired— hot, calm days, and cool nights. Fibb — A party of Celestials at Black Ball Gully had their camp destroyed by fire, by which they lost all their personal effects, stores, and some £80 in money, the total loss being estimated at £150. The party have the best claim among the Chinese, and have been making good money for some time past. The Goldbn Aoh.— The shareholders in this claim have been, and will for some time to come be, engaged in getting out timber from a bush situated on the Upper NokomaL They will, with the first flood, float it dowu to their claims. They are doing a very sensible thing in taking advantage of the dry weather to get a good supply, so that when they'do* start to block out they won't be stopped for the want of it. Triumph No. 1. — Mr Soper,thenew manager, is hard at work getting a place for the water* wheel. Some b'ix weeks will have to elapse before the claim will be in working order, as they have to. box some six chains of tho tailrace, and put up a flume some chains in length. .The wheel will be 12Ffc by sffc, and will work two Bin pumps. The sawmillers are slow in executing the erder.

The Gorge. — Thompson and party's pump is too small to cope with the water, and they therefore Intend to replace it with a larger one. M'Kay, Young, and party intend pushing on the work in their claim.

The PoiNEEft Company. — Under the present manager, Mr Francis, things are looking more shipshape, aud there is every likelihood of the claim being now carried on and thoroughly proved. The company always have a good practical man at the head of affairs. After dropping some hundreds they have thrown over steam and taken to water for their motive power. The contractors for the fluming, 36 chains, by 4ft by lft, have made a good strong job of it. The pump, 14in in the clear, ought to keep the claim f roe of water. The wheel is well and strongly built, and should run smootly. Its dimensions are 16ft by 6ft, The contractor seems to understand his work. Mr Francis expects to have it going in a few days, and I hope the shareholders will be found wide awake when the time comes for them to receive their dividends.

Miscellaneous.— The Triumph No. 2, Hopeful, ami Success shareholders, are having a race cut, in fact it is nearly finished, to work their respective wheels. Mr Padden, the manager of the latter company, states that so soon as the race is iv, they will start working right away. The size of the wheel will be 16ft by 6tt, to work two 10io pumps. Both Palmer aad Smallwood, at the Point, are stopped for the want of water. Various Itksis.— l suppose that shortly the "steam coffee mills" will be put up for sale, for there is no further use for them hero. They have already proved too costly a toy; they might, however, come in handy for turning a coffee roaster or mill, or for ' some light work, but for keeping down the water iv tho claims they have proved an utter failure. — Mr Ben. Tall has put up an unco-nmonly nice cottage, ami has been joined by his wife aud family. — Mr and Mrs Sangster gave a dance on the 20 Ui ult. in the old schoolhouse, the room being decorated for tho occasion. All present appeared to enjoy themselves, and everything went smoothly. — The manager of the Pioneer gave the wheel a trial 6pin. It runs smoothly so ar. New Yeae's Eve. — The parents of some 14 children ar© desirom that their offspring should receive some kind of instruction. I understand if all tho youngsters were mustered the tally would oome up to the number required by the Board of Education for openiug a school, but so far as their ages go, some would be found too young. The parents have, however, Bent in a petition to see if anything can be done for their 6mall fry — either to get a teacher or have a sum of money granted to them. They also have agreed among themselves to contribute so much per week towards paying for the needed instruction. The mothers, after putting their heads together, hit upon the idea of giving a dance to increase the funds. The old schoolhouse was re-decorated, and the music was kindly supplied by Mrs A. gangster, Mr W. Sangster, and other volunteers. Tho refreshments were prepared by Mr 6W. Middloton, and were Al. The affair would, however, have been more enjoyable had more ladies been present.