LAKES' DISTRICT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 250, 8 February 1867, Page 3

LAKES' DISTRICT.

-The effects of the continued hot weather ■to the agricultural interest has been disastrous, in many instances the grain is very light, having ripened too quickly; there are exceptional cases where the yield per acre will be good but they are few and far between ; it is feared the oaten-crop generally will have to be cut for hay. 11 ining operations, for want of the motive power—water, are suspended, both sluici.ig a:id crushing.

The prospects of the reefs in the district are decidedly looking well; 1 'erry and Co., in their new shaft, have struck the reef and the stone to all appearances is equal, it not better than any yet obtained. Upon good authority, i may state, the trial crushing gives a yield of about 20 oz. to the ton. The Scandinavian Company 'cleared up their boxes during the past week, anil from about ltjl) ions of stoue crushed, the yield w.;s 1"24 ozs. The machinery of this company is now working well. It is to be regretted that the works are stopped through the scarcity of water, as they have been to considerable expense in the erection of new machinery. The new turbine-wheel cast in Dunedin for this Company is a piece of work of which all concerned deserve the highest meed of praise. The task of conveying it over the perilous mountain tracks was no easy one, aud the suec.-ssful completion stamps the contractor, as being a man of decision and great strength of nerve. The Criterion Company. Arrow, are in full swing, raising stone and crushing as fast as their small battery will permit. The stone looks weii gold being easily discerned, but on account of the quantity of slate and rubbish that gets mixed with it, the yield is not great, being about 12 dwts. Had this Company the number of stamp-heads in the work of disintegration their available.mo •live power would drive, and the necessary number of hands breaking down the stone, the opinion of your correspondent is, the manager would have the satisfaction of declaring a dividend, the which, under the present system, cannot be expected If 3 dwts. to the ton is made to pay a dividend in Victoria, where the motive power together with the engineers' staff has to be paid for, surely with a proper system—--12 dwts to the ton should pay in iNew ■Zealand where those expenses do not exist. I again express an opinion, and say ■with the true system of economy in exjjecse aacl labor, once established in the working of the Quartz-Reefs of Otago, the shareholders will have no cause to regret their original outlay.

Iu election affairs there is no great stir; a requisition has been numerously signed in favor ot Mr Haughton, for the Lakes ; and I believe another is being prepared in favor of M r Fuller, for the Goldfields. Mr Bradsbaw has intimated his intention to contest the Goldfields. For the Superintendency, Mr Dick is the favorite, and let whoever comes into the field, 5r Pick will be supported. With the action taken by the ''overnmeut in advertising for tenders' for the Main Trunk Road we aro all pleased, and begin to think that we shall at length be able to travel with comfort and safe'y.

The escorl for the past week was iftnaS'l, only 570 ozj. Thermometer en the 2nd inst., at 2 p.m 132, midnight 56.