THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 398, 3 December 1869, Page 3

THE LAKES.

(from our own correspondent.) Nov. 31.

It will not be long before wo are in a position to make another sensation in tho

quartz-mining world. The “Nugget” claim, at the San I Hills, Shotover, was brought to tho hammer on Stauvday last, and knocked down by Mr. Denis Powell for £6OO. The purchaser was Mr. I’oskruge, acting on behalf of himself and a company of others, who intend erecting machinery upon the ground at once, likewise to work the mine in an efficient manner. "Hie reefs at tlie Sand Mills have turned out exceedingly well, and, had they possessed tho advantages of machinery instea I of having to pack the quartz eight miles, they would lung since have had much attention dr iwn town -'s them. However, a beginning has been made, an I there seems little doubt but that tho most favorable results will follow.

A number of quartz-miners from Cromwell paid us a visit on Saturday last. It was thought that they desired to invest in the purchase, especially as they had been to see the reef, but no bid was made on their behalf.

His Honor Mr. Wilson Grey had a long sitting of his Court on the last occasion. He was kept fully occupied for two days. On Tuesday week last, the second day of the sitting, tho Court was kept busily engaged for fourteen hours. Four actions for wages wore decided against the “British and American” Company, at Skippers,— generally known as Fei'ry’s- and the result will bo that a valuable crushing plant wi 1 be submitted to public competion by that uncompromising wiuder-up of companies—the Bailiff, then will be a fine chance for some of your specxxlators in quartz reefs requiring nlaehiiicry. It will not be anything like so costly to remove Ferry’s plant as it was to place it in its present position; everything is much cheaper now, and appliances arc more perfect. The “ Phoenix ” Company, at Skipper’s Creek, have splendid prospects before them. The untiring perseverance of tho manager, Mi'. Evans, has succeeded in striking the cap of a very promising reef, at a depth of some hundred Anri fifty feet from the sm'faoe. Tenders for driving a tunnel two hundred and fifty feet in length, so as to work the reef at a lower and more convenient level, are called for.

So well please! are the public at the late performance of the members of the Queenstown Amateur Dramatic Chib that they have been prevailed upon to give another representation about Christmas, wLiah, it is proposed, shall come olf on Cbristmas-ove. This will doubtless prove a great treat to many visitors who will seek, during the holidays, to enjoy the nragnilicent scenery of the lakes.

The building of the Shotover bridge is proceeding very rapidly. The pile-driving machine is now able to drive a pile a day, and ero another week foot passengers will be enabled to walk over on the staging The fording-p ace for vehicles has been very bad lately, but, when the present unsettled state of the weather ceases it will soon becom ■ right again. The Shotover has, certainly, got a bad name, but I really do think the river is not quite so ba' as said to be. “ Give the devil a bad name and it will be sure to stick to him” is a thoroughly established truism, and this most certainly holds good with respect to the Shotover crossing-places, and I must tell you this, that a great many vehicles stick fast in the sand because the horses drawing them are net fit to pull them out. I hear that arrangements are being made to start a brewery on a large scale here. It is to bo un er the management of a firstclass brewer direct from Burtou-on-Trent Tina will materially assist the district, • • ■