Fawaran Notes. (From Oub Owh" Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2503, 12 March 1902, Page 23

Fawaran Notes. (From Oub Owh" Correspondent.)

March 5

The weather is anything but settled yet, as it has been showery for a couple of days, with very high temperature; but the river -was steadily loweiing to former level and the drift bettlmg nicely. This morning, however, while this is being penned, a- heavy, steady rain has set in, and, from appearances, is likely to continue for so^no time. As the atmosphere is decidedly cooler it is to be hoped it will be snowing on the higher levels and minimise the risk of a flood. Mr Payne will arrive here on Thursday to have an "official trial of the Gentle Annie's machinery and to pass the dredge from the contractors. Mr D. M'Lean (the dredgemaster) is busy getting her into working order. Most of tho necessary gear and tools have just arrived from "b'rankton. The tailings and drift from the Upper Magnetic still continue to affect the Meg and Annie's returns, and under the present circumstances the dredgemaster cannot get over the same amount of bottom as formerly. But as it is high time the river ceased its vagaries and allowed the drift to settle, a great increase in her returns may be looked for before long. The handsome return of 240z 7dwt from the Upper Magnetic last w<>pk. got while opening out, and doing a Ptepdy battle with the travelling drift, amply demonstiates the richness of the Anuie Queen claim, and rich returns may be looked for in the near future. As this will be a busy dredging centre for many years, a telephone office at our local post office will be an absolute necessity. We are equidistant fiom Cron?woll Post Office and the KawaTau bridge telephone office — 14 mites.- to either. All telegrams to or from herp have to be posted — a loss of time connected with important business or other accidental matters that -can -be imagined. Steps are being taken to have a, telephone liurrau opened here, and our local M.H.R., Mr Fraser, has promised Ins heartiest support.