WARDEN’S REPORT.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2108, 7 February 1870, Page 2

WARDEN’S REPORT.

Mr Warden Robinson, writing from Mount Ida, under date January 31, reports ; This district ha* been visited with extraordinarily heavy rains, which had the effect of causing all the rivers and streams to be flooded. The rain began on the night of January Ist, and continued without intermission for nearly three days. On the second the flood came down the Hogburn Gully, carrying away all the works of the two “Dead Level” companies, which consisted of long and expensive tail-races, constructed up the middle of the gully. Other mining companies also suffered severely, especially Cooper’s party, in Enterprise Gully, whose tunnel tail-race was in great part destroyed. Even the smallest creeks became roaring torrents, and were for a while absolutely impassable. The Taieri River could not be crossed for about ten days. The mail from Dunedin was delayed for four days, and that from Dunstan for the like period. At St. Bathans, some injury was done to the flushing channels, but that was about the extent of the mischief.

Since the flood, a great deal of time has been lost in repairing damages. As regards the “Dead Level” races, it seems scarcely possible to restore them, for they are in most places absolutely obliterated or carried out of sight with tailings brought down from above by the rush of the water. Considerable excitement at present prevails at Naseby in consequence of a “ strike” of the miners, who have resolved to pay no longer the rate exacted by the water companies—viz., L2 10s per Hogburn head for water. There have been several meetings, at width the miners have come to the resolution to pay no more than 30a per head for water. It is understood that the water-race owners have declined to supply water at that price, and hence the cessation of work. The “ Hogburn head ” is a stream flowing for eight hours through an aperture of 16 square inches sectional measurement. The Govercment head is 40 inches for 24 hours, so that the Government head may bo roughly stated as equal to seven and a half Hogburn heads. Both parties to the dispute appear very confident and determined, but the utmost good order has prevailed. It is not improbable that a compromise will be come to. A thick reef has been discovered at the Otekaike, on a spur between that river and the Marewhenua. It is said to show a prospect of over 2oz. to the ton. A prospecting claim has been applied for, and several other claims are taken up. The reef appears to be about five feet thick, but little gold is to be seen in the stone.