MOUNT IDA.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2056, 7 December 1869, Page 2

MOUNT IDA.

[tfROSl OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Compared with the stormy events which have recently taken place and the dady discoveries which arc being made in the Cromwell locality, any news from this district must appear “ weary, stale, fiat, and unprofitable.” It cannot, however, he inferred that this place is retrograding or becoming in any way less important as a gold producing district than heretofore Tuc honorable position which Mount Ida has assumed, and has now for some mouths past maintained at the head of the fortnightly escort, prohibits any such unfavorable conclusion. Still it must be admitted, as I have just stated, that there is nothing particularly stirring or sensational taking place in our midst. No fresh discoveries have been reported, though it has now become fully established that the whole country hereabouts, is more or less auriferous, and mining operations by sluicing are being conducted in the same jog-trot manner and with the same favorable results. Nor, should the water supply hold out can I see any prospect of a diminution in the quantity of the precious metal likely to be forwarded from this district. Clark’s, the Kyehurn, Surface Hill. Spec Gully, and other workings, possess each their own particular attractions, and each and all are yielding fair and encouraging returns. One complaint, and a very general one, is the high price charged for water, namely, 50s per week for each Hogburn head of sixteen inches by one, for eight hours. High though this price undoubtedly is, so long as tne companies find purchasers at the present rates, and the demand continues equal to the supply, it would bo unreasonable to expect any re» duction.

Though rich in gold, this district has at present ma le hut a very poor show with regard to agriculture ; iu fact, with the exception of a few gardens, and a few patches cf oats, here and at the Kyeburn. nothing in that way has been attempted. This may Le accounted for from the fact of there being no land obtainable under the agricultural lease system. That root crops and oats will grow here, the former to profusion, is undoubtedly true ; yet I cannot believe that we shall ever shine as a wheat or grain producing district. In the first place the climate i?s too dry, and the summer too short to justify such a belief. Still were suitable land obtainable under the leasing system, I feel sure that wheat and oats would be raised in sufficient quantity to supply this town and district, and thus save the heavy cost which is yearly incurred in cartage for these articles. The subject of land for commonage, about which there was considerable agitation some time since, appears to have lost something of its interest; this may be from a general fee’ing that nothing can be done in the matter until the Provincial Council shall next meet, and some decided line of action be laid down for the Provincial Government.

You are, of course, aware that after along contest with the postal authorities, the great boon of the mail coach passing through this town has been conceded. Believing, as I do that quick and regular communication is one of the greatest civilizers, J anticipate the best results from what has be: n in this district, the first step in that direction. The greatest danger to which the town cf Naseby has been hitherto exposed, is both from fire arid disease in consequence of possessing no regular or sufficient supply of water for domestic and other purposes, would appear now to be in a fair way of being lessened, if not entirely overcome. A water works company has been established on the joint stock principle, and the number of shares already allocated, added to the spirit and energy which have been exhibited iu thjj matter, leave bttle doubt that in a few mouths we shall be able to congratulate ourselves upon the possession of the fine element, and that in unlimited quantity and at an almost nominal cost.

During the past week we have had two very serious accidents from earthfalls, and though in neither attended with fatal results, one qf the sufferers is still lying in a very precarious state. I cannot say whether thjj ground had become more brittle from the recent heavy rain, but I fear that a long immunity from accident had made people forget their usual caution, thereby in some degree inviting as it were the fate whdi has overtaken them. Race meetings appear now to be occupying a large amount of attention here. The programme of the Mount Ida Jockey Club, as also that of the St. Batbau's annual race me.ting were contained in the columns of our local journal to-day. The former races are to take place on the 13th and 14th January next, the latter on the 27th arid 28th of the present month. In either case large gatherings arc expected ancj the prizes off red would justify belief that there will be good horses entered to compete for the stakes. In my next I shall be able to tell you som thing of what is intended to be done to keep up Old Christmas and to give the new year 1870 a fit and becoming welcome.