BANNOCKBURN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 186, 3 June 1873, Page 6

BANNOCKBURN.

(CROM OUK OWN COBBESI'ONDENT.) June 2, 1873. Owing to tho very wot weather last Monday afternoon, I was unable to send you a short letter I had written ; however, as tho contents were not of a very interesting nature, probably it would not be very much missed. The Queen's Birthday passed off much the same as holidays generally do in this locality, nearly everyone being at work in the earlier part of the day ; but as Saturday afternoon is kept as a half holiday by the majority of the miners, I saw a few—who thought they might as well enjoy themselves —wending their way to your Races, with which I think they could not but be well pleased, The principal topic of the week has been the late heavy rain, and the flood in the gullies which as a matter of course followed it. I regret to say nearly every one engaged in mining in this district has suffered more or Jess from the effects of the "spate." In the majority of cases a couple of days' work sufficed to repair damages ; but in others the task of repairing and rebuilding clams, races, Sic. , will occupy several weeks. Besides the losses sustained in this way, I have heard of two or three parties losing a good few ounces of gold through portions of their tail-races having been washed away. The rain began about 12 o'clock on Monday, and continued to fall incessantly until midnight, long before which time all the main gullies were impassable. Next day the Kawarau had risen to such an extent that the punts were unable to cross ; however, through the kindness of the oontractor, a number of persons were enabled to get over on the bridge. Although I believe more rain has fallen at various periods within the last four years, none of the creeks have ever risen so high within that time as they did on this occasion. I took a turn round Bailey's Gully a few days ago, and saw pretty well on to a dozen men at work there, —all of them doing very well. This gully was named after the prospector, and although a. large number of men bad been working within a few hundred yards of it for years, it was hardly ever tried until about a couple of years ago, when Mr Bailey hit upon a rich patch in it. ' Since then, a deal of gold has been taken orit, and a large extent of ground worked. Chilton and Co.'s claim is especially noticeable, they having worked a very large block of ground. The only available water (the gully being a dry one) is that belonging to Messrs Stewart and 'Menzies, which is derived from Long Gully. This party is also working in Bailey's Gully. A good deal of interest is already apparent in the coming election for an M.P.C. There is some talk of Mr Crombie, of this district, being requested to stand. I. hear that some excellent stone is being got out of the Caledonian claim at present, and that this claim will keep the Standard battery going all winter. This is one of the most promising claims on the Carrick.