KAWARAU.

Dunstan Times, Issue 285, 11 October 1867, Page 2

KAWARAU.

(From our own Correspondent.) Cromwell, 9th Oct. 1807. Although the Cardrona diggings are properly speaking in the Arrow district, a few remarks relative to them may not be out of place in my Cromwell correspondence, by reason of a number of miners and storekeepers of this district being located at Cardrona.. The news from that Goldfield is most satisfactory; many of our readers are aware that the Cardrona diggings have been opened these several years past, but the ground could not be effectively worked, owing to the depth of sinking, and the large quantity of water' to contend against; however within the last few months, a most successful mode of mastering the water has been devised and adopted ; large paddocks are sunk about twenty feet deep, and forty or more feet square ; at the bottom of which, a water wdiecl of large dimensions is fixed, and which pumps the water out of the workings, the miners being enabled to work below with i all the comfort they could reasonably desire. A stream of water to work the wheel is in most instances conveyed to the edge of the paddock at a very trilling expense, and the pumps do considerable execution in a short space of time. A tunnel is driven from the bottom of the paddock into the Cardrona Creek, which serves as an outlet for the water after it has left the wheel and pumps. The new system of dealing with the ground is very simple, but a considerable amount of determination is necessary to deal with the immense boulders, which are to be met with in every claim, but however great the perseverance necessary, the exercisers of it are well paid for their labor. The week bofore Mast the proprietors of the Pirate Claim washed -eighty-two ounces of gold, it being the produce of one week's work ; the Homo-ward bound claim, which has only just been bottomed, have had sufficient proofs already that their claim will prove equally rich. Other valuable claims have lately been bottomed through this new system of draining the ground, and as the number of miners has increased within the last few weeks from one hundred to one hundred and fifty, many other claims will soon be opened, consequently the Cardrona diggings will probably become the most flourishing in the Province. The proprietors of the Great Westmoreland Canal, which Leviathan Race has just been completed to Cromwell have commenced sluicing operations by opening three claims on the banks of the Kawarau, a short distance above the town, and to all appearances they have every reason to hope that their undertaking will prove a profitable one. The dredge belonging to Schultz brothers, was about three weeks ago removed down the Kawarau from Cornish beach near the Gorge, to a spot within a mile and a half of Cromwell, and the new ground is turning out well. The leading article in the " Dunstan Times " of the 27th ult. relating to the slow travelling of our Mail conveyances, has given much satisfaction through this district; the fact of the Mail which leaves Duncdin on Friday morning not being delivered at Cromwell until nine or ten o' clock on Monday morning, argues strongly in favor of the sentiments expressed in the Article refered to ; not only this point is to bo agitated here, but also the disadvantage of only two Mails being dispatched weekly, one on Thursday afternoon, andthe other on Saturday. The coach which conveys the Mails, passes through hero on Tuesday, and the reason for not sending a Mail by it, is a mystery not easily explained. Thj Town Council have already memorialized the Post Master General on the subject, but with what result will not be ascertained for at least three weeks to come. A formal opening and christening of the Bannockburn and Kawarau punt is to take place on Friday next, and Mr. Stuart the proprietor has invited all the School-children, and other members of the rising generation of this Town to the celebration, where they will be regaled

with the good things of this life ; a considerable number of invitations have also been issued to adults. A ball for the sole benefit of the Dunstan Hospital in a pavilion in front of Mr. Stuarts Hotel will be held in about a fortnight hence, a formal notice of which will most probably be forwarded for your Advertising columns'. The ball at the Sluicers' Arms, Kawarau Gorge, for the benefit of the Dunstan Hospital, was a great success. Dancing commenced at half-past nine o'clock, and activity in that health creating exercise was incessant until one a.m., when supper was announced. The company at once left the Assembly room, and took their seats at the loaded tables. Ample justice having been done to the choice viands, dancing was resumed with renewed vigor, and kept up until lovely day had long dawned. Messrs. Whetter and Guthrie played a choice selection of dance music in their usual admirable style, and the Stewards discharged their duties in a most creditable manners. I have, in conclusion, to mention that the inhabitants of Gorgetown did their utmost to make the ball a benefit to the Hospital.