UPPER MANUHERIKIA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 283, 27 September 1867, Page 3

UPPER MANUHERIKIA.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DUX STAX TIMES. Perhaps a few remarks regarding Mining operations about this neighbourhood will not be unacceptable to some of your readers ? on 'that understanding I give them. I visited the other day, for the first time, the works' Of the Mount Ida Quartz Crushing Company, “Limited.” On near approach, I perceived no one about, it being about mid-day, 1 concluded the workmen were dining, but the cause apparently, was the breaking of four cogs or teeth, from a cast iron wheel, weighing about fiOlbs, causing the mill to stop until a new one comes from Dunedin. The stone from the tunnel looks in my opinion to be the wrong colour to hold much gold, but the crust or surface reef looks pretty well, unfortunately for the Company, there is very little of the latter. When the mill will be set agoing again is uncertain; Mr Watson the engineer, deserves great credit, for the able manner he has performed his part, and with a ten head battery, the Company appear to be able to do good work. At the Woolshed diggings, nothing remarkable is doing, there are about thirty sluicers, probably making wages, but for large finds, I have not heard of any; money is scarce, and storekeepers of course complain ; the races are • running full, and the supply of water likely to continue for months, yet the “ Blackstone Hill Eace Company” are fortunate in having in Mr. Johnston, an efficient manager, he may'be seen any day after day light, with long handled shovel, and carpenters’ tools “en route” to mend some-leaky piece. The Forlorn Hill Creek, next deserves some notice, once a flourishing Township, it had its Warden, Banks, Storeepers and others too numerous to mention, besides seventeen Hotels ; anyone who knew it 1 in'those days, might look in wonder at its nothingness, how three Hotels are all that remain, and of these, two could well be spareda “ swagger ’’ probably'going to the Hogburn, usually takes the middle of the road, keeping an eye on each of the publichouses, for fear of being induced to spend his money. There is a pure son of the Emerald 4sle here, who keeps a smithy, but unlike his

predecessor Tubal Cain, does not fashion the sword and spear, but if he has a pick to point, or a horse to shoe, he is all there. VERITAS. Eden Creek, 22nd. Sept. 1867.