THE LAKES

Dunstan Times, Issue 553, 22 November 1872, Page 2

THE LAKES

(FeoH our Correstosdktt.) Abrowtows, Nov. 17. Our Mining Association here are up and striving in the matter of the Tuapeka Conference. On Saturday evening last a wellattended meeting of members was held in the Library Hall, for the purpose of electing a representative. Mr. John A.. Miller, the President, was the gentleman elected, and upon no more worthy a man could the choice have fallen. Mr. Miller possesses great natural ability aud invention. He is well pested up in most matters, more par* tieularly those pertaining to his calling, and it is almost unnecessary for me to say that he thoroughly understands the business of gold mining, and we may congratulate ourselves that the Arrow distrL-t will be a'.ily and cordially represented. The miners of the Upper Shotover also propose sending a representative, and 1 am glad to notice that everywhere the toilers in the golden line have aroused themselves to the importance of the occasion, an J are exertiug themselves for the mutual benefit of their class, and events forbode that, instead of being dependent, the day is not far distant when the gold miner will become a power in the State. Our next industry, that of agriculture, looks promising, and there is every reason to anticipate a bountiful harvest. The wheat, oat, and barley crops never looked better, and unless something really unfortunate happens, there will be a large yield. The estab isliment of a flour mill in your district is viewed with considerable interest by residents here, each one of course has his own ideas upon the matter. The mill owners and business people apparently look upon it as a rival, but with the farmers themselves they see a more brisk market for their grain looniuig in the distance; All farm produce at the present time is fetching satisfactory prices, and the future piomises well. Labor is exceedingly scarce. Competent working men cannot be procured for love nor money, and much difficulty is expected this coming harvest. In mining there is much activity. The large water race of the Arrow River Company, at Flat, is completed, and this hitherto arid locality is now plentifully supplied with water. This race \\ as a most difficult and costly undertaking on account of the large amount of fluiuing necessary, although only four miles in length, it has cost nearly two thousand pounds. The company some ten months ago applied to the Government and were promised assistance under the Public Works Act, to the extent of SUOV., but they have been terrib y humbugged, and have not got the money yet, notwithstauding.that the work is completed. The administration of this Act is a complete farce, and as soon as any of the miners in your district apply for assistance they will find out to their cost that what they cannot undertake by themselves, they had better leave alone. Perhaps the Mining conference may be able to offer suggestions to make this portion of the gold-fields department workable. Nothing is more clear than that it is beyond the ken of Mr. C. E. Haughton. Some promising groU"d has bejn opened up on the Crown Terrace, and it is intended to increase the supply of water to this place. At the Twelve Mile, and up the valley of th° Arrow Eiver a considerable amount of new ground has been opened, some of the tunnelling claims are giving larger yields, in fact, there are few miners but are profitably employed.

Under tbo head of "A Disappointed Place-hunter," the Nelson Examiner says: —" Among those members who have gone away dissatisfied, perhaps, the most to be pittied is Mr. T. L. Shepherd. He has been nattered and made much of by the Vogel party, till he claimed for himself the position of lead°r, and to expect a seat in the Cabinet as Minister of Mines. Both sides of the Bouse befooled him—the one for amusement, and the other to secure his vote. So certain was he of the office, that latterly he had been talking to various gold-fields members cf how the particular district should be favored above the other, and generally giving an idea of the policy of the Government in the department over which ho would have control. After being so certain of his little game, it must have been desperately galling to be left out i.i the cold, and ho showed that he felt it to hi so.. lUimv siya he ha> written to Mr. Voiel to announce that be considers himself o nce more an iudepeudent member."