ROXBURGH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 35

ROXBURGH.

April 22.— The weather is again beautiful, though the first two days were stormy, and much rain fell on Friday last, but it was acceptable. The river rose considerab'y on Saturday, showing that the downpour was general.

Mining. — There is not much to chronicle in this industry. Mie raising of the Jubilee dredge is not yet accomplished, and it is doubtful if the workers will be so successful as they anticipated. When giving her a pull two of the wire ropes out of three broke, demonstrating the great strain that must have been imposed upon them. I -am informed that on effort is to be made to take eff the upper pontoon from the lower one by dividing them. The- Molyneux Kohinoor is ready for a fresh start, after a thorough overhaul. I hear that a night watchman is going to be placed on this dredge from Saturday night to Sunday morning, which is a cominehdab'e departure in view of the loss of the Jubilee and tho Junction Electric at Cromwell by sinking. Not much is heard of the King, the Endeavour, cr the New Teviot, these being private companies. The Lady Roxburgh works steadily, barring repairs, and should give a fair account of herself to shareholders this season. The alluvial hydraulic claims are steadily working, and giving fair return?. Manuel Bros, have made ready to start their elevating plant, which, I hear, is a good property.

Amusements. — Our people have not been backward with holiday-making. St. Patrick's Day was the beginning of the holidays, and it proved a beautiful day. Races and picnics were the order of the day, the former being held on the Roxburgh racecourse. The meting was well attended, and a goodly numbsi of horses contested the different events. Most of the prizes went to outsiders. There was cause for dissatisfaction in the mannei in which some of the contestants managed their horses.

Picnic. — The Presbyterian Church choir picnic, which was held at the Teviot Station, some seven miles fTom Roxburgh, proved a grsat success. Mt M'Farland. the owner of the station, kindly allowed the use of the grounds, and otherwise rendered valuable assistance. The refreshtnentg were all that could be desired. The picnickers were driven to and from the grounds in Mr A. H. Tamblyn's and Mr R. Wilson's drags, and returned to the town about 7 o'clock in the evening, well satisfied with their outing. Many rode on bicycles and in traps. Some good photographic views were taken of the party by Mr Beck and Mr Morgan.

Easter Holidays. — Eastei Monday proved a. peasant day. The Roman Catholic picnic, which was held in the reserve, was a very enjoyable affair. There were other smaller gatherings in the nature of picnics, and many young ladies were to be seen with their pretty little baskets dangling on their arms, accompanied by a merry ringing laxigh and an elastic step.

Valedictory. — Mr and Mrs John Moodie have left this district. Mr Moodie fiist come here 43 years ago in the capacity of a teamster, and, taking a fancy to the district, settled down as a miner, at which calling he was fairly successful. Shortly after sstthug, he took to himself a wife, and built a neat little cottage in which to live. Mr John Tarnblyn (wow deceased) purchased the house and garden, which is now a portion of Mount Hope Gardens. Mr Moodie then, with many others of the old school, took up a section of ground on Mount Benger Flat, and made it a good property in course of time, planting a large portion of it with fruit trees. The property bas, I am informed, been sold to Mr Bennetts at a gcod round figure. A farewell was given to Mr and Mrs Moodie in the Coal Creek Schoolroom. A large number turned up, when songs, recitations, and little speeches were indu'ged in. There are but three of the old setters of <hat period now remaining at Coal Creek. Our two old friends were presented with a very nice silver teapot, suitably inpcribed and Mr Moody was presented with a hardsom© silver-mounted pipe also They go to the Bluff to make a new home. May happiness gc with them. Obituary. — Another of the pioneer? of Otapo — Mr Edward Tubman, of Mere Fl.it — passed away at tho beginning of this month. Mr Tubman came to Teviot in the early sixties, and associated himself with mining— Tubman brothers holding a. large interest in the claim known as the Teviot Point, clofe to the old punt site. It was very rich in gold. The Tubman brothers, of whom there were three — Edward, Robert, and Frank— with the Tamblyn brothers, purchased the Teviot punt, which waa run oa partnership lines for some time.

Eventually, Tubman Bros, bought out the whole interest in the punt themselves. In the meantime, Edward and Bobert took up farms on the Moa Flat, Dumbarton Rock end, and settled Sown. After some years Mr E. Tubman married, and he leaves a wife and six children — three sons and three daughters — who will carry on the working of the ferry, which is one of the best in Otago Central.