THE LAKES DISTRICT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 607, 5 December 1873, Page 3

THE LAKES DISTRICT.

—o—(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. Arp.owtown, Dec. 2. The favorable season we have experienced those last few months has given a great impetus to mining operations ; and, were it not that that the population has been so reduced by migration to the railway works, coupled with the great scarcity of labor, tbe coming Christmas would be a most promising one. As it is, we have reason to he thankful that what miners are employed are profitably go. The harvest promises a magnificent yield, and should we be only fortunate enough to obtain sufficient hands to gather it in, with a corresponding amount of consumption, none need complain. The joint-stock companies recently started are pushing a-head, so far as labor is available ; but 'heir operations arc sadly imp iled by its scarcity. Great expectation are formed of tbe Shotover Terrace Company since tbe appointmciit of a competent, mining manager in the person of Mr. F. A. Evans. Flie Arrow lliver United are getting eady to snk their shaft, while the Falls Company are already driving forthe bed of the river, and the probably rich deposits .it gold buried there by a vast, land-slip, oceurrel, perhaps, in ages past. In the ultimate success of this latter Company here is great faith. Gold lias bien found •n considerable quantities, both above and below the slip or falls, so that speculators have only the two alternatives to look forward to—failure to reach the golden deposit, or a rich reward. So far as human ingenuity can accomplish, everything will be done towards reaching the coveted treasure. The ground commanded by tbe Arrow lliver Water-race Company, at Whitechapel Flat, is yielding splendidly. Some of the renters of water are on very rich ground, and it is thought that, when the land now leasedforagricultural purposes, is thrown open to the miner, the permanent prosperity of this Company will be assured, while the population and yield of gold in the, district will be very considerably increased. Athletic sports and horse-racing are to become established amusements for Christmas. The Arrow folks have at last come out of their shell in this respect, and have resolved not to he outdone elsewhere. At ' 'ibbstown there are also to be horseracing and averts, and a very liberal proprnmme will be provided. The population about (here has very much increased within the last two years, and some extensive water-races have been constructed. That of the Cambrian Company is a gigantic affair, and took some three years to complete. It is scarcely in working order yet. The Company expect to have their first washing up by luistmas. Mr. M ‘CorinackiS pushing on rapidly the works of the new midge as the Nevis Ferry. ■The' fifsHgirder is fix'pewed to be placed in position by the end of the present week. This vil be a most difficult undertaking, ns (be spin across the Kawarailis si me o- e hr ml iff and eighty feet, ami the weight ii the girjer thirty- tons.