ARROWTOWN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 811, 2 November 1877, Page 3

ARROWTOWN.

(PROM our correspondent.) There has not been anything particularly exciting of late. The favorable weather permitting mining operations to be carried on briskly, coupled with the rise in oats, has apparently satisfied both branches of onr principal industrial pursuits, and those interested have cease 1 to grumble, while the business people perceive the a Ivent of better times to come. However, this latter class never are, and never will be, satisfied, and when they do enjoy good times we never hoar of them until after they have passed. As a rule, all old goldfields towns whether in New Zealand or Australia, never appear to be in a flourishing condition when once the excitement of the first rush of miners is over, from that time forth a sort of ch'-onic state decay appears to set in, and the place continues to present a -species of blighted existence, the inhabitants ever hoping on for better times which never come. Considering that agriculture and mining are about equally represented at Arrowtown, I think the inhabitants have less cause to grumble at their prospects for the future than many similar communities less fortunately situated. We had a visitor last week in the person of a Mr Mollwoo, a gentleman from the Teviot, who lectured at the Library Hall on the subject of the Eastern Questior, past and present. Mr Mollwoo remesents h:-ra-self as a Russian nobleman by birth, but exiled for some political offence. He appears to he a man of very -superior attainments, and delivered a very interesting and instructive lecture, and which he has been askel to repeat. I dare say your Roxburgh readers know Mr Mollwoo. The Reefs. Things at Macetown appear to be progressing as could either be desired or expected, and work of all descriptions seems to be gone legitimately into. 1 do not think there will be anything in the shape of returns before Christmas, as the mining companies purpose keeping their batteries running until that time. The stone now being reduced at the mills of tho Homeward Bound and AH Nations companies should yield an average of something like two ounces to the ton, and as this is taken from the reefs as it comes, it should be sufficient to satisfy the desires of any reasonable person. I hear that three full shares and two half shares have changed, or are to change, hands in the All Nations for something like a LIOOO each full share, at which price they should prove an excellent investment. The Hue of reef is undoubtedly a very g ml one, and it possesses the advantage of improving by being worked. In the shape of new discoveries there is nothing fresh so far as any fresh lodes being opened up, hut the older companies seem very successful on exploring their respective mines. The Ladye-Payee and M’Ardcl’s leases have struck a run of first rate stone on the boundary of their respective claims. The Maryborough have also come upon a new run in their tunnel commenced some five weeks since ; the gold shows very well, and the reef is evidently widening out. This find should make the All Nations look up as it is in their direction. Mr Samuel Williams, of the Car rick, h- s struck upon what appears to he a payable reef on the line of the Victor Emanuel, and between that and Finn’s lease. Gold has also been struck in the latter in a fine breadth of stone averaging three feet. The übiquitous Captain Barry has left his domicile at Whaletown and removed to Sawyer’s Gully, where ho is engaged planting a gardm, the weather being rather severe to tackle the hLh ranges. The Captain is about to show ns something new in the shape of providing huts for the miners, a matter of great moment in this timberlcss country. It appears that the Captain whi'e cruising among the undiscovered islan's of tho New Ho-Bride. landed upon one of them, and while exploring the interior came upon some enormous gnuards or pumpkins. These were so largo that even one o f the ■smallest size could not he got into the ’boat and taken off into the shin. Tho Captain not to ho done, secured some seeds by cutting open one of the largest, a few cf which seeds he has with him at Macetown. From what I can learn Captain Barry purposes raising a plant or two in his garden at Sawyer’s Gully, and should he fortunately succeed in bringing only one of these enormous pumpkins to perfection, the miners need trouble themselves no more about tho difficulties of. hut building, ns, being supplied with a b «I, they have cn l y to plant it in a suitable position, when in a very few days tho pumpkin will have grown to auch a size that' upon .being hollowed out there will bo ‘found a lint Buffidient to accommodate two men. If tay

information is only correct this wonderful introduction of tho vegetable kingdom will prove immensely valuable, By-tho-l>y, I hear that the Captain has hit it right at Scanlon’s Gully, and it is to bo hoped that ho has, as they call it at Cromwell, “ struck the juggler," for a morn enterprising, hardworking man than Captain Barry docs not exist at Macotown, so much pluck and perseverance at his age is positively wonderful and deserves a rich reward. Tho public crushing mill at Scanlon’s Gully I hear is likely to prove a success, the company being now properly floated. As soon as this pets to work it will give a consi Ici-able impetus to mining matters. I learn that the main lole mine at Advance Peak is likely to get into the hands of a large public company in Dunedin, and that preparations are now being made for the erection of a twenty-head battery, and the necessary wire tramways to transport the quartz from the claim to the machine.