ST. BATHANS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 14, 16 February 1870, Page 5

ST. BATHANS.

(From onr own Correspondent.) February 5, 1870,

The damages to races and dams caused by the late floods here have been repaired, mil mining operations recommenced. By the long cessation, of labour, you can well imagine tha extent of damage done. Including labour and loss of time, I should think it has caused an expenditure of £IOOO, among 200 people, in a month ; and for all this I cannot see what precaution can bo taken to protect head-races rush for money in all quarters. Large against the annual floods, except flaming over storm channels, which would be a most expensive undertaking in such a mountainous country as Now Zealand. As a proof that our old workings will bear re-working, I will mention one instance alone of the good-fortune of two old St. Bathanites, who, after 1 six months’ sluicing of abandoned ground at Surface Hill, have divided between them nearly 2200z5. Their success has caused very general rejoicing, and given fresh impetus to mining in tho Surface Hill direction, which had previously been almost deserted. Daring tho week, Mr Gilmore, who is well known hereabouts, narrowly escaped losing his life. He has just bought into a claim at Blue Gully, and was standing with his back to the stripping, when his mate, observing that a largo quantity of earth was about to fall, called out to Gilmore, who jumped aside, and thus escaped being buried in many tons of earth. He did not escape unscathed as it was, however, for he was knocked down and terribly bruised and lamed. Tho work about this locality is getting more dangerous every month, as the height of the stripping is increasing and the ground becoming more rotten from race leakage and exposure to the weather on tho face. We have, however, less dread of accidents now, as most of the slnicers are old stagers at the work, and are quite familiar with the nature of the ground. We hear occasional whispers of prospectors having been seen burrowing here and there on the Dimstan Ranges, and miniature tents are to be seen in different places, presenting a contrast to tho sombre schistos with which the ranges are covered, and disclosing the whereabouts of the supposed reefers. Let us hope that they may be successful, and bo tho means of more closely connecting Cromwell with St. Bathans by sundry little townships’ roads and approaches. This reminds me of some remarks I read in the Otago iVitness about the short track to Bendigo Gully from tho Dunedin road at Blacks. Having tried it, I am prepared to say that a man who is merciful to his horse would prefer travelling through Clyde, for the climbing of the Dunstan Range is a tedious and dangerous task, and I scarcely think any time is saved, so rough is the track that way. We have endured a week’s very warm weather—like the hot winds of Victoria

passing over us. Springs and pools of water dried up, flowers and vegetables withered, and the gardens, recently looking so flourishing, are now quite barren and parched up. Our storekeepers have changed their prices very much of late, and most articles are now quoted at Dunedin prices—saving always the 4db-loaf, which remains at Is 6d. The only breaks in the monotony of this place lately were a foot-race between Mackay, the jockey, and a miner of this place, which the former won easily; and last night we had a concert in aid of the Dunstan Hospital funds, on which occasion Messrs James Grierson, who is going to Cromwell, and Mr John Malvin, the eminent violinist, who is about to return to Scotland, made their farewell bows. In Mr Grierson, we lose, and you gain, an acquisition ; for he has been for years past the leader at all concerts and entertainments, and on Sundays always led the choir in the church. Wo shall indeed miss him very much. Talking about the church, wo are going to lose our ministers—the Messrs Holland, who for a year past have, turn about (once a fortnight regularly), preached in our little church They are going to Great Britain for a year, very much to our regret, so much have they won our regard by their earnest lives and preaching. They bear most deservedly an excellent name in this district, and we shall bo glad to welcome them back next Christmas. The amount of money sent from this district to augment hospital funds during the last month has been, I think, about £25. This amount includes the funds derived from last night’s entertainment We never hear anything about Local Committees now, and perhaps wo get on as well without them.

A Wellington telegram in the Tinuxru Herald of the sth iust. states that a man named Billwell has lodged a claim for the Government reward for thediscovery of a payable gold-field, ho having discovered such on his property at Ngawhanga, five miles from town. He declares ho has had the quartz analysed in Melbourne, and it has been found highly remunerative. He says he is willing to produce any day from a hundredweight to a- ton of highly auriferous