The second annual social gathering and .ball of the bachelors in tho Stirling district was held ou Friday evening last week in Mr Cros san's hall, and was very largely attended. Danc ing commenced shortly after eight o'clock, and was kept up with spirit till five next morning. Several songs were sung during the evening by those present, At intervals refreshments were liberally supplied, the caterer being Mr David Wood, of Balclutha. Mr Inglis, in a humor ous speech, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the several guests present that evening — especi ally the benedicts. Mr S. Wright replied, The singing of the National Anthem brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.
During the past week the Matau has been employed removing snags from the river at a number of points where the navigation was thus obstructed. Ooe monster stump and root was removed abreast of the Chicory works. When lifted quantities of gravel remained iv the crevices of the root. The men oat of curiosity washed a shovelful of this gravel and obtained a good specimen of gold. It was very fine but in such quantity as would be regarded as highly satisfactory by those now engaged dredging up the river. It seems not improbable therefore that payable ground exists at several poiutsin tin's locality where the old channel of the river was changed during the flood of 1878.
