BANNOCKBURN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 37, 27 July 1870, Page 6

BANNOCKBURN.

fFrom an Occasional Correspondent,) Mining matters in this district are in a highly satisfactory condition. There is plenty of water for the sluicing claims, and all connected with that branch of mining are busily and profitably employed. In Pipeclay Gully several parties are tunnelling, and, so far as I can learn, their average returns are satisfactory. A miner working there mot with a rich patch two or throe weeks ago. Ho is one of three brothers who have boon for some time engaged bringing in a race, and who only recently started sluicing. They have had the name of being lucky in their mining speculations, and the find I have mentioned was no exception, for they netted the splendid return of eighty ounces for one week’s the Deep Load, Messrs Riutoul and party have got their shaft down ninety-six feet, and have met with a very good prospect in four feet of washdirt. The party are getting timber placed on the ground for a whim, which it is expected will shortly be ready for working. Should the projected race be brought in from Coal Creek, it will be a great and permanent benefit to the district. There is in this locality an unlimited extent of auriferous ground, and water is only required in order to make it highly remunerative ; but the water must be taken from a much higher level than the present sources of supply. This is a field the Government ought to subsidise with a grant of money for the construction of a large water-race. Such an undertaking would, if properly carried out, amply repay any outlay incurred. A more promising field for the investment of capital, or one that would give speedier and more remunerative returns, does not exist in Otago ; but I am sorry to aaf"Uat it has always been passed over, and with the exception of a few hundred pounds spent in making the Nevis road, nothing has been done by the Government: all has been left to private enterprise. Speaking of the road, I may state that it is in very bad condition, being id most impassable for waggons, and it stands in need of thorough repair. Mr Simpson has done h'is best for the roads in the district, but without funds it is impossible to carry out the improvements so much required. It is the duty of our representatives in the Provincial Council to see that a sufficient sum is placed on the Estimates annually for the maintenance of this road. One storekeeper here buys as much as 1500 ozs. of gold annually, the duty on which would be amply sufficient to keep the road in good repair. The same person has himself worked for days together, with his own horses and dray, repairing the approaches to his own place, in order to enable waggons to unload at the store. I was much astonished the other day to learn that this thriving gold-field has never yet been officially proclaimed, and that, consequently, the minors have no protection, but are at the mei'cy of the runholder. They cannot run a horse, or even a goat, without first obtaining permission. This is a state of things that ought not to exist.