ARROWTOWN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 466, 24 March 1871, Page 3

ARROWTOWN.

(FROM OUR COIIBESrOSDENT.) A most fortunate change in the weather took place on Thursday morning the 16 th inst, when happily the long drought broke up and heavy rain set in, which lasted, almost without cessation, until midnight on the following day. , This is a most fortunate circumstance for the root crops which the drought promised to utterly annihilate. As it is they are very short and quite insufficient for local wants.

The grain crops are mostly all gathered in and as a rule the yield has been satisfactory. On light lands, such as the flats between Arrowtown and the Kawarau Rivers, the yield is light in some instances. The wheat will not go more than between fifteen and twenty bushels to the acre. The two steam thrashing machines are hard at it while a deal of the grain has already been converted into flour. The Chinese throughout the district appear to be getting plenty of, gold and it is said that a whole shipload of these gentry are on their way, direct from the Flowery Land to the Arrow. It is to be hoped that such is really not the case, or all the Europeans will have to clear out and leave the place to th.ese queer eyed strangers. St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated with much spirit. A large number of diggers came in from the outlying gullies to honor the day devoted to Ireland’s patron Saint. Mr. Welsh, of the New Orleans Hotel gave a free ball and supper which was largely patronised. The turn out was first class, nothing being spared to make the affair a success and which it happily proved.