Northern Territory Times and Gazette (Darwin, NT : 1873 - 1927), Saturday 1 June 1889, page 2


NEWS AND NOTES.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MAIL.-The s..s. "Flinders" arrived from Wyndham, Cam bridge Gulf, on Tuesday last, bringing 19 passengers, and sailed for Western Austra-lian ports on the following day.

MORE LEPERS-It is reported that two more Chinese lepers have been found in the Town-ship, and that the Government intend to ship them back to their native land directly an opportunity occurs.

MINERAL REGULATIONS,-We have now ready for issue, the new mineral regulations, in handy pamphlet form ; price, one shilling. No miner or prospector should be without this useful little work, which contains all the regulations in reference to taking up claims, pegging, working, leasing, forfeit-

ure, etc.

HOWLEY GOLD MINE.-The Port Darwin Gold Mining Co.'s Battery has been en-gaged about one shift a day, crushing stone for the public, and several parcels have been put through. One lot of quartz (of 48 tons) yielded 101 ozs. of s-nelted gold. The mineowners of the district have determined to put through trial parcels of stone from their claims, and Messrs. Knott, Barrett, and Button, are all raising parcels of stone.

SOUTHERN STEAMER.-The s.s. "Guthrie " arrived from southern ports on Tuesday last, bringing three passengers and 70 tons general cargo. We notice that our old friend Capt. Green has become sick of a shore life, and once more taken command of his old vessel. The " Tannadice " will next voyage be taken by Captain H. Craig, and Captain Shannon will once again take the position of chief officer, we trust only temporarily, pending an opening to take command of another of the Company's steamers.

WYNDHAM NEWS.-A recent arrival from Wyndham informs us that most of the alluvial diggers have been forced to abandon the field« owing to want of water for wash-ing purposes, the season having been an extremely dry one. The reefs are spoken well of, especially the Ruby Queen, and although the actual returns from the crushings at this mine have not been made public, they are believed to have been thoroughly satisfactory. Mr.. La Monte is proceeding south by the first steamer to procure new machinery for another claim, the Saint Lawrence, which is said to be highly promising. The Ruby Queen is turning out quite equal to expectations. Two shafts have been sunk 160 ft. apart on the reef, which is almost vertical, to a depth of 142 ft., and at that depth a level along the course of the reef connects these shafts. This level is extended north and south to » total length of 300 ft., and the reef from the surface down to the 142 level in both shafts, aud throughout the whole length of the level in the back, under foot and in the face, averages from 4 to 5 ft, of solid blue and white mottled quartz. The quartz is of good quality, showing gold freely, and the returns now being given by the crushing plant are highly satisfactory. The course of the reef is about N.E. and S.W., and the formation of the country is well defined and settled. The battery consists of 10-hd. of - stampers and a powerful engine, and Mr. La Monte intends to purchase another 10-hd. so as to increase the crushing power to about 200 tons per week. The mine is known as the original prospector's property, and was floated in Melbourne with a capital of £100,000. It is impossible to obtain particu-lars of the quantity of stone crushed, as the information has first to be supplied to the Directors in Melbourne, but from all we eau learn the Ruby Queen is being legitimately worked, and will do much to restore the confidence of investors in the prospects of Kimberley mining.

MACARTHUR RIVER NOTES.-Our corres-pondent at Borroloola, writes under date April 27th :-" It is reported here that the reputed horse thief, Davis, has been mur-dered by the blacks, somewhere near Chris-tian's Station, on the Tablelands, * * It is stated that Mr. O. Wates, of McLeod, Hunt & Co., intends to open a general store at Anthony's Lagoon. * * Messrs. Traine and Scott, who started from Borroloola for Newcastle Waters, with the object of finding a practicable stock route and dray road, are expected to return daily. If their attempt is successful, all stores for the use of the overland telegraph stations should go by way of Borroloola. There is a good opening for a thorough good blacksmith at Borro-loola, and I believe he would get as much work as he could manage. * * Our settlers here ave very dissatisfied at the way in which they arc treated by the Government. Noth-ing much has been done to push the place on. The river should be surveyed properly, and some portion of the money contributed by the people of the district should be spent on our roads, especially to the Tablelands, where we have some good country. Perhaps the most urgent necessity is a branch tele-graph line, from say Daly Waters to Borro-loola. I need not point out to you how such a line would, to a great extent, enable Port Darwin to command the trade of this dis-trict, much of which until now has gone to Queensland, I made a calculation a short time ago, and from the data at hand, I made the revenue of the district, from pasto-ral leases, sale of Borroloola allotments, mineral leases, etc, to be a sum total of about £20,000 for 1888, and I am not saying too much when stating that the Government does not expend £4000 of that sum for salaries, mail service, etc. Our most im-portant industry is the pastoral at present, and I have it on good authority that the N. T. has, on the Tableland, country equal to anything in Queensland. We have also (speaking from report) a considerable mine-ral country, which wants proper legislation to develop it, With the revenue which is raised in this district, and a judicious expen-diture of the same, on the part of the Government, there is no doubt that things might be put on a more prosperous footing for all of us, and whilst this eastern portion of the N. T. was making progress, so would the western portion benefit by the increase of trade and population."

ww-w^www»

THURSDAY ISLAND CABLE.-This cable« which has been interrupted for the past ten days, is now undergoing repair by the É.È.A. and C. T. Co'ssteamer "Sherrard Osborne,'* which vessel happened very fortunately to

visit the Island.

MORE GOLD FOR CHINA. - During the past month, Chinese passengers have taken to Hongkong, 600 ounces of gold. It would be interesting to ascertain how much the country has gained in exchange for this £2,250 worth of precious metal, taken from mother earth, to enrich the trading Hongs

of China.

SOUTH UNION GOLD MINE.-At No. 10 South,, the work of development is still being pushed on steadily. The pump shaft is now down .206 ft., and the manager intends to put a drive into the lode at the 200 ft. level. The inflow of water has not increased much, but it will probably be greater when the lode is struck. ~ Work on other portions of the mine is being carried on in a very satis-factory manner.

H.M.S. RAMBLER.-This vessel under, the command of Captain Dawson, left Thursday Island on Saturday morning last, for this port, and was to take soundings en route, and endeavour to discover the reef reported by the Captain of the " Taiyuan "; this probably delayed her arrival here for a few days, and she was not signalled until Thurs-day afternoon. The " Rambler " will proba-bly remain in our port for a week or ten days, after which she will proceed to La-crosse Island, Cambridge Gulf, where some survey work has to be completed.

MR. W. E. ADCOCK'S INSOLVENCY.-Our telegrams this week state-that Mr. Adcock, who is evidently sick of Bowell's Hotel, is endeavouring to effect a compromise with his creditors. The Commissioner of Insol-vency refused to grant an adjournment for a fortnight to enable the settlement to be Arrived at, and merely adjourned the hearing for Mr. Adcock's examination on the subject of his affidavit in reference to his wife's separate estate. It ?s to be hoped, for the sake of Mr. Adcock's family, that some satisfactory and amicable settlement will he arranged, [Since the above was in. type, our latest telegrams state that Mr. Adcock has been released on bail, in order to facili-tate the negotiations for a compromise with his creditors. It is evident from this, that a settlement will probably be arrived at. J

UNION REEF MAIL. - With the usual apathy, and disregard for the convenience of the public, which characterizes the de-partment under the management of Mr. j¿ A. G. Little, this important matter has not yet received any attention. A respectable storekeeper at the Union, has offered to con-duct the Post-office for the moderate sura of £25 per annum, but Mr. Little prefers to force each of the residents to pay two pounds a year for a private mail bag, which amount we believe.is one of the Postmaster's perquisites, With a Postmaster receiving a good salary, nothing to do but keep sweet with Mr. Todd and the Government Resi-dent; a Government buggy and horses, and Government forage for horses, and cows, house rent, lights and wood, and water, at. the taxpayers expense, surely the public have a right to expect a little courtesy,

energy, and intelligence in the conduct of. this department, A daily train now runs to. the Union, yet there is no provision for, sending letters or telegrams to that Town-ship, except by the courtesy of a Chinese storekeeper, who allows them to be placed in his private bag, for which he pays two pounds per annum. How long is this sort of foolery to last? The Press cannot do everything, and the public whose battles we are fighting, should join together to enforce necessary reforms, or get rid of use-less encumbrances, whose departments are, not conducted with a due regard to the rights and convenience of the taxpayers.

HARBOUR LIGHTS.-We are glad to see that at last the Government purpose making., a start with the light-bouses. The first lights are to be placed upon Point Emery at the mouth of the Harbour, and at Point Charles, the western extremity of the land, situated about 16 miles to the westward of the Harbour. On Wednesday last, the Government Resident, accompanied by Mr. James' Survey party, Captain Ellis of the s.s. "Airlie," the Harbour - master, and several others interested in nautical matters, proceeded to Charles Point in the s.S. " Ade-laide." Mr. James and party obtained the necessary levels, and the benefit of -Captain Ellis' experience was also called into requis-ition in selecting a suitable spot The work was completed in a short time, and the "Adelaide" returned to port the same evening. Opinions vary as to the best position for the western lighthouse. The commanders of the China steamers, whose ' opinions have been asked for, naturally prefer Cape Fourcroy on Bathurst Island to Poiut Charles j the former being the first point of land sighted on coming from the northward, but no doubt the Government have in view the possibility of an advance in the coasting trade between this port and the Western Australian ports, and this consider-ation 'has led them to the conclusion that Point Charles should be the spot selected. This light will prove of great benefit to our coasting steamers, as it will effectually do away with* any possibility of a vessel ap-proaching too near to the dangers of Fish Reef, and the numerous shoals in the neigh-bourhood of Quail Island. It is abo the point that sailing ships bound from England have to steer for, on approaching the land Cape Fourcroy being too far to the north-ward. Now that the Government has awakened to the necessity for making the approaches to Port Darwin safe for calling vessels, we would like to draw their at-tention to the advisability of extending the work a little further, by placing a few buoys and beacons ou many dangerous spots in the neighbourhood of Van Dieman's Gulf, and other suitable places on the, coast. While upon this subject our attention has been drawn to the urgent need of a good light house on Cape Don, which is the point made for by steamers approaching Port Darwin from the eastward, and is without doubt of equal if net greater importance than the proposed light upon Point Charles. A wellknown Captain of one of the regular steamers trading to this port, states that Cape Don is usually approached as night is drawing on, and it is absolutely necessary to push on past the Cape, so as to reach a good anchorage for the night, and proceed at daylight next morning through the Ver-non passage to the harbour. He says that the run to Cape Don, is one portion of the coast where great care should be exercised, and a light on that Cape would be of immense value to navigators

-SOUTHERN MAU-.-The 9.8. "Chingtu" (Captain Hunt) arrived from Southern ports on Thursday last, bringing 19 fassen¿era, and 100 tons of cargo.

FLORIDA STATION.-By the s.s. " Ching-tu," Mr. J. Watson arrived, who is to take the management of Mr. J. A. Macartney's Florida Station, Castlereagh Bay.

TERRITORIAL IN SYDNEY. - Mr. Adam Johns intended to return to Port Darwin by ¿he s.S. " Chingtu," but was detained owing co the illness of Mr. J. B. Robinson.

STEAMER FROM EAST.-The s.s. Afghan arrived from Hongkong, via Singapore and Java, on Friday afternoon last, aud sailed .gain tins morning for southern ports.

STEAMER TOR SOUTH.-The s.s. " Tanna-dice" sailed for Southern ports on May 2:th, taking l8 passengers, and one box

Ad valued at £3,380, shipped by the E. S.

ad A. C. Bank.

PINE CREEK MINING.-A correspondent informs us that another rich leader has been discovered on Mr. Olaf Jensen's claim at I ine Creek. The prospectus of a local pros>; eating and mining company will be found

¿a another column.

FOUNTAIN HEAD BATTERY-T-AÍ this mill :ae box has been for the past three weeks .voted to crushing stone for the public, and ;.l.e results have been moderately good, one

. reel of 102 tons of stone yielding 64ozs. tarted gold, and another trial orushiugof .v;'J tons of stone, yielded 40 ozs, of retorted

i-v'd.

DEATH OF AN OLD RESIDENT. - Marcus Buker, better known as -" Yankee " Baker, dio.l in the Palmerston Hospital on Satur-.Hy last. He was a very old colonist, having

:"lved here nearly 17 years ago. For many years Baker was engaged prospecting and ¿iJvODg, but latterly was employed as a v a ter, in Palmerston.

ABSENT FRIENDS.-From a private letter ve learn that Mr. N. F. Christo«, who was fer many years manager of the local branch cf the English and Scottish Rank, has now tiio management of the Richmond (Vic.) branch. Mr. Newman, late teller of the Commercial Bank of Australia, is appointed to the Broken Hill branch gf the same in-

stitution.

MACHINERY FOR THE EXTENDED UNION. -We understand that a Tangye steam pump and boiler has arrived by the s.S.. " Airlie " to the order of Major Wilson, which he intends erecting 04 his property at the Extended Union.. The boiler is a 6-hqrse power vertical, and the pump has a drawing capacity of 3,200 gallons per hour. We are glad to see ¿hat Major Wilson has gone in for what should be a good aud economical system of developing his mine, and trust that other private mine-holders wUl follow his example.

GOVERNMENT TENDERS.-Intending ten« derers are reminded that tenders for the supply of bread, meat, stores, etc., for the Government departments, must be sent in pu or before June the 10th. These Govern-ment requirements, have not as yet been privately arranged for with the Government tyrl so as to prevent any disappointnïnt we would suggest to intending con;riptors, the wisdom of keeping their views ipon public questions, temperance, etc.,

?At themselves..

BUTTERFLY HUNT,-Mr. W. H. Adcock, Que of the alleged partners in the firm of alcock Bros., now occupying the time of the insolvency Court, took the trouble a few ?yeoks ago, to send a handsome collection of nitterflies to his sister in Melbourne. A smart representative of the Bank Liquid-ators, gat a notion that tVe case contained valuable papers in reference to the Insol-

vency case, and telegraphed to Adelaide to j that effect. The messenger of the Court will | bli somewhat surprised when he effects this valuable capture, and examines it.

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE WoRK.^We noti-fied a few weeks ago that the Government Resident and Minister for the Territory had removed the Gazette work from this paper, in which it has been published for over 15 years, and entered into a private contract with the Iforth Australian, without even in coturno? fairness calling for tenders, and in spite of tiie fact, which they well know, that the circulation of the Aorthern Territory Times and Gazette, is nearly double that of the Nor A Austratian, Being determined not to be outdone by the Government, we witt con-tinue to publish all Gazette notices such as land sales, rents, leases, courts, etc., which are of value to our readers.

OUR NATURAL DOCK.-The E. ft A. Co.'s s.a. ." Airlie " .00 her voyage from Sydney to Port Darwin, lost three blades of her pro-peller. After discharging about 900 tons of cargo at the Ship Jetty, the " Airlie," still haviug over 1000 tons of-coal and cargo on hoard, was put on the beach near Cook's Jutty, and in 24 hours was fitted with new propeller blades, and. floated off in perfect safety. There are very few, if any, harbours ia Australia with equal facilities to Port Darwin for effecting-shipping repairs, the great rise and fall of tide, and the firm yet yielding beach, are advantages which cannot be too highly valued by all who are interested in shipping matters. Port Darwin, in our opinion, ranks only next to Port Jackson as the finest harbour in Australia.

MOUNT SHOOBRIDGE TIN MINES. -Our correspondent writes :-Work on the Mount Shoobridge Tin Mine is progressing satis-factorily, the machinesy working well, and ¿umingouta good sample of oxide of tinTimber for making the poppet heads over the shaft has just been brought in, and when tïiia is fixed the two winding drums will be uced, which will mate considerable difference h¡ the quantity of ore raised from below. Splendid ore is being raised from the stope? north and south of the shaft, and the man-aor {Captain Dunstan) is about to engage nTore hands, so as to push on the develop-ment of the mine. At the Howley Creek Syndicate Mme (late Saunders') the con-tractors are pushing ahead with their work, the tunnel has been driven between forty ¡ant fifty feet, and the shaft has been sunk about forty feet. The manager (Mr. Trab .'dt) is expected back from Melbourne in the course of a few week«, when, no doubt, greater progress will be made in opening np thia very promising property. Mr. garrett has a few Chinamen employed on Cruikshank and Barrett's claim, and they are raising very good ore. It is to be hoped that Mr. Monday's report will be favourable, and that we shall soon see this claim in full swing. The weather is cool and agreeable just now. Tua blacks are pretty well employed burning //raas for miks around, and tfce illuminations at iiight amongst the auls, are something

gri&ud.

FLORA BELL SILVER MINE.-We are glad to hear that everything on this mine is look-ing extremely promising. The lode in the

new shaft at the 86 ft. level is over 3 ft. in width, of solid galena. The work of develop-ment is being pushed on vigorously.

OUR USELESS SHIP JETTV.-It is now quite evident that the Ship Jetty was only built |or the convenience of the railway contractors, first because there is no safe approach to it, even for foot passengers, second because everything to be shipped on any vessel laying beside the Jetty, has to be taken to the old Gulnare causeway, and sent by boat across to the Ship Jetty. Goods, or ore for shipment from up-country can only reach the Jetty by paying the railway contractors to truck it down from the station-yard, and then even, it is a favour to get a truck when it is wanted. This is the way this country is pushed ahead under South Australian Ad-ministration. While writing about the Jetty, we may as well mention that our attention has been called to the fact, that although it cost over £40,000, itis being allowed to rot and become useless for the want of a few gallons of tar, and a little labour being expended upon it. The crevices between the decking are filled with straw, coal-dust, chips of wood, and other inflammable rubbish, which is never cleaned out, or attended to, and the first strolling smoker who accidentally drops a lighted match between the .cracks, will probably start a fire which will cost the Government a few thousands jin Jetty re-pairs. Surely these trivial matters can be remedied at the cost of a few pounds with-out referring to Adelaide for authority, or is it necessary to try the effect of another deputation?

WARDEN'S OFFICE MUDDLE.-We have

frequently called .the attention of the Gov-ernment, to the absolute necessity for pro-viding the Warden's Office with a plan of each line of reef, showing all the leased ground, ¡and it would be no difficult matter for the Warden to add .on any new claims, asthey are taken up, upon receiving a tracing of their position from the Land Office. At present it is impossible for any miner to ascertain at the Warden's Office, which claims are taken up, and what ground it is worth his while to prospect. We heard of an instance a few day's ago, where what was supposed to be a block of spare ground, on the Union, was applied for under miners' right, and granted, although ii was at the

time held under a lease. We do not for one moment blame the Warden for this, such errors are solely due to the apathy, stupidity, Resident, who should see the urgent ne-cessity for maps being provided for the Warden's Office, when it is pointed out, and and obstinate ignorance of the Government give orders to the Land Office officials to supply them, without waiting for any depu-tation upon the subject. Every Warden's Office in every other country is provided with maps, by the officials who are paid to over-look such matters, but in the Territory it is necessary to organise deputations upon every paltry subject, which should be attended to without any such formality. The requests of these deputations are sent on to the Minister, as the Government Resident has not discretionary power to the extent of a five pound note, and it is becoming a serious .question whether the two thousand per an-num or thereabouts, which we expend upon a not very useful representative of viceroyalty, might not be expended to much better advantage in other ways. If no simple matter of administration receives attention, until the " toy king " has been deputationized upon the subject, the sooner the settlers here let their voices he heard upon this question, the better it will be for the future of the Territory. This country has paid over £15,000 in the past five or six years for useless officials, and official picnics, which are a standing disgrace to the colony.