FOURTEENMILE BEACH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 179, 13 July 1871, Page 6

FOURTEENMILE BEACH.

(From our own Correspondent.)

The intense frosts that have prevailed for the last fortnight, Have had the effect of stopping all sluicing operations in this neighbouihood. Quayle's fluming is completelp blocked with ice; our water wheels, &c, are completely clogged, and unfit for work, from the same cause ; and the head races are so blocked that the water cannot flow in its usual channels. What renders it more annoying is, that the Molyneux is low enough to be worked to advantage, so that the above-mentioned drawback will have a serious effect upon all sluicing operations, and the result up to the present time is disastrous to all sections of the community — barring fosßickers. In looking over and contemplating the resolutions arrived at, and recommended by the late Mining Conference, Old Pumpernickle was struck with the clause that advocates the removal of district wardens periodically. Whatever motive the Conference may have had for recommending such a course, is not in any way shown in the report. " Some of them," said he, "may have had sufficient reasons for propounding such a measure ; but, taking an abstract view of the subject, I think it will be an extremely unwise one, for the following reasons : — Firstly. Wardens who have resided for a lengthened time in their different districts are supposed to be thoroughly conversant with the peculiarities, of the workings under their official supervision; and as there are many conflicting interests that have to be closely watched, and adjudicated upon occasionally, it is not to be supposed the desired information that has to be gained respecting them can be obt-iined without careful watchfulness and a very lengthened residence. Secondly, ft would be obviously unfair to remove any warden who is thoroughly up to his work, and who may have the confidence of the whole mining community under his eh >rge, to a locality altogether new and strange to him, and where he would have to undergo a course of mining education (if I may so term it) of the same, if not of greater, difficulty than that which he has already gone through, to fit him for his new sphere. Thirdly. It is impugning the integrity of any officer of the goldfields to remove hiui without showing some just reason for doing so ; and shows a want of confidence in the honesty of a public servant, by following out the courae advocated by the Conference, merely because it has been suggested by that body. Lastly. It is manifestly unfair to expect any gentleman to break up his home at, perhaps, a serious pecuniary loss to himself, for no earthly use or good than because it has been suggested, without the late Mining Conference being able to show what good can possibly result therefrom. These are my objections," continued my friend ; " but the suggestion is quite in keeping with a number of other blunders perpetrated by that body, assisted by some of our mining members, at the recommendation of as £reat noodles as themselves ; and as they keep meddling with things they don't understand, they will neve* be taught to leave well alone. No," he went on, " some of our rulers, like the celebrated Mr. Toots, evince an aptito 'blow early,' and unless they can have their fingers in everybody's pie, they think they are not doing their duty to themselves (never mind their constituencies) ; and when they have completely muddled existing arrangements, they presume, like the butcher who so artistically cut Tom Pinch's beefsteak, that they have completely shown the 'triumph of mind over matter.' One's ideis," said Pumpernickle, " receive a colouring from their surroundings ; and no matter how we may evoke the memories of past times and places, one's thoughts are apt to take a bright or sombre hue, according to the lights and shades of the circumstances in which we may be placed. The Bruce, from seeing a spider (after a number of failures), sneceeded in his aspirations — wove, a web that completely entangled the English Neddy, at Bannockjburn ; another of his countrymen, from the state of his larder and culinary surroundings, is indebted to ' The Kitchen ' for his emanations — all tending to show that if he had a cow or two, instead of a stomach, to keep, he would be more in favour of the Mount Benger run being thrown open for settlement. Again," continued Old P., " look at the terrible and manifest injustice that was about boing perpetrated upon an entire community by Mr. Rons Marten (but we know who pulled the wires in that case), whom the Waikaia will some day take the opportunity of thanking in their own way. So serious had the matter become, that two of Britain's brightest jewels, Ireland and Scotland, was jeopardised by the dastardly attempt to erase the names of two of our leading citizens and coi'd-wainers from the electoral roll ; but Rous Marten's move was frustrated for this time, and unanimity one more prevails in Roxburgh." "Well, never mind Rous Marten and the electoral roll ; tell us how you enjoyed yourself at the Oddfellows' ball," said I. " Gloriously ! " returned Pumpernickle ; only there were some parts of the proceedings I could not" understand — I mean the foolscaps, the speeches, and the leather aprons— not that I think the foolscaps were out of place ; in fact, I thought them quite becoming

—but the speeches of the Tuapeka men were all that could be desired, only they were rather obscure. One gentleman told the company how he had bowlegs, though there was no necessity for mentioning the matter, because they were plainly to be seen; and then another 'gentleman' told us how the Tuapeka Lodge had spent 12s. 9d. more than its income, and was not in difficulties, but had any amount of members, and £300 out at interest ; and there was another gentleman who sang about the sexton gathering them in, though what anybody wanted to know about a sexton gathering them in at that particular time, I am at a loss to understand ; and then the tables were cleared, and we had some nips, and dancing commenced and was kept up unceasingly till morning." " And did you dance much ? " I enquired ; " and with whom 1 " " Yes," answered he, " I did nearly all night, and with a great many ladies." " Now I have you, " returned Wittles, who was a listener to our conversation. " What an old deluder you are becoming, Pump ; why, I saw you leave the ballroom at eleven o'clock, and Delph Gherkins watched your proceedings from the time you left until you returned. Did you not visit the neighbourhood of your old cliere ctme — the lady with the lemon-coloured eyebrows and shepherd-plaid countenance ? and is not this a correct copy of your verses upon the occasion of your serenade, which Gherkins took down on the spot, after pulling you out of a water race, into which you had been pitched by Bob Shavings, the lady's fiance? — •