THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 381, 6 August 1869, Page 3

THE LAKES.

(from our own correspondent.) Arrowtown, August 2.

The heavy rains on Friday and Friday night last caused a considerable flood in all our rivers and creeks. On Saturday the Shotover Was much flooded, the down coach from Queenstown being unable to cross; the mails Were brought on, on horseback. The frost has however set in again with every promise of its continuing. On Saturday evening last, Mr A. Mowatt, a miner gave a lecture at the Library Hall for the benefit of the Church funds; the subject chosen was an exceedingly attractive one, “ how to find gold ” and had sufficient publicity been given, there is no doubt but that the attendance would have been much larger than what it was. -Mr. Mowatt had evidently spent much pains in getting up his lecture as well

as in the preparation of diagrams, and had it not have been his maiden appearance before a public audience, there is very little to doubt but that his thorough knowledge of the subject, and'his large personal experience in Victoria would have rendered it an unqualified success. In the matter of deep leads, the lecturer argued that 'the deposit of gold depended upon the nature of the gold bearing rocks over which it laid, and when they were not gold bearing, then blank places in the lead would be found. The lecturer then went on to show “ where to sink for gold ” this of course was the most engrossing part of the business, who could not be otherwise than interested in such a subject 1 He then proceeded to elucidate from Victorian and New Zealand experiences how that the precious metal was found in given positions, and that the base of a triangle, drawn from the opposite points of the high banks forming our water courses, or from the summits of high ranges, surrounding what is generally termed in mining parlance, a “ basin ” is the proper place to sink for gold, even supposing that the ascertained base is not the lowest ground. This part of the subject to my mind can only be made clear after a lead has been worked out; in the case of the Canton lead, at Mount Arart as referred to by the lecturer, the calculation would have been correct when measuring between the Mount Cole Ranges and Mount Ararat itself, but the difficulty I see in the matter is, what ranges could be taken as a starting j o'nt in the absence of any gold workings for a guide. This I think is applicable in the case of the jlectnrer himself, as had he been able to calculate with certainty, “ where to stale for gold ”ho would have by this time been rich beyond all comparison. M r Mowatt’s idea of giving to the public the benefit of his experiences is certainly well worth following up, and were every miner of intelligence to do so, there can be no doubt but that much good would arise.

The nomination of Councillors for Queenstown on Wednesdry last passed off very quietly, and a contest is only confined to South Ward On the previous Tuesday evening the friends and supporters of the defeated candidate for the Mayoralty, Mr. George Atkins entertained him to a supper at the Prince of w ales Hotel, the spread was of the most recherche description the tables literally groaning with the good things of this life. About twen-

ty gentlemen were present, Mr, W. G Huff occupied the Chair, Mr. C. Lorimcr acted as croupier; after the usual loyal toasts, the chairman proposed the he dth of Mr. Atkins, who replied in a most suitable manner. Mr Atkins proposed the healths of the mem bevs of his commi'tee and suitporters, which was responded to by Mr. M. Mallaghan who replied for himself and coadjutors.

The Rev. Father Norris is on a tour through the district, he preached twice at Arrowtown on Sunday last.