ARROWTOWN.

Evening Star, Issue 3033, 8 November 1872, Page 2

ARROWTOWN.

In many places in Britain large bodies of persons are pledging themselves to eat no more meat till it is cheaper.

(from our own correspondent.) November 4. The principal event of interest which has occurred lately has been the discovery of what appears to be an extensive deposit of payable wash on the Crown Terrace. The proprietors—Symouds, Evans, and Clarke—inform me that they can get prospects of two or three grains to the dish through a body cf heavy boulder wash five feet thick, with ample fdl for sluicing purposes. The bottom is a hard watenvorn rock, similar to that found in the richest terrace claims on the Arrow. The width of the gutter is about fifty feet, and is one of a number of similar formations which traverse the Crown Terrace from north to south. At present only three sluice heads of water are available, and they arc in the hands of Messrs Walker and party, who have taken up ground next to the prospectors. A number of claims have been applied for, but tiro present water supply wrli only admit of a few parties getting to work at once. Efforts are being made to bring in a larger supply of water from the Roaring Billy and other creeks. According to present appearances, it is fortunate for the miners that they have opposed applications for agricultural leases on the Terrace. It will be a question for the Miners’ Conference to consider the advisability of having special regulations to enable probably auriferous lands to be taken up for agricultural purposes on equitable terms to the miner j and the following suggestions are to be submitted to a public meeting, to be held here on Saturday, 16th instant; —

That in order to promote settlement upon the goldfields, cheapen the cost of the necessaries of life, and increase the revenues of the Province, it is desirable that holders of miners’ rights be permitted to take up lands for homesteads and gardens, to be selected on any portions of the goldfields, except on proved auriferous blocks. Applications to be filed at the Warden’s office, and advertised as in the case of agricultural leases. A substantial fence shall be erected round the land within six months from date of occupation, and rent at the rate of 2s 6d per acre shall be paid. Holders of miners’ rights shall be permitted to enter upon the land to search or mine for gold by payment of compensation for growing crops, fencing, and on one acre for a homestead. Water-races may be cut through such lands without compensation, except for wilful or unnecessary damage. The completion of a large portion of the Arrow River water-race of twenty sluiceheads on to White Chapel Flat is giving a great impetus to mining industry in the locality traversed by the race. It is causing the spurs at the base of the Crown Terrace on the Arrow River to be thoroughly prospected. The results at present are very encouraging, an 1 every head of water in the race c m be readily let at remunerative rates. This company has made application for a subsidy, but has not yet learned the result. The race will coufer immense benefits on this neighborhood, and it is only by such works that our future prosperity can be established and maintained. Three large parties of miners are prospecting for the ancient bed of New Chum Creek, two miles fiom Arrowtown. I visited their claims lately, and found that they have gone to considerable expense iu cutting through the high bar of rock which intervenes between the present and ancient beds of the creek, and that important discoveries are expected as they are getting into the wash. Considerable activity is being displayed by the numerous parties who are re-working the her I of the Arrow River by means of covered tail-races. The great depth of tailings which has accumulated during the last few years is found to be a great drawback on their earnings, and consequently it is only in places which have not been previously worked that they can look for remuneration, as the stripping (twelve to fourteen feet) is too heavy to leave a profit on re-working the old ground. The subject of water supply for sluicing purposes is to be considered by the public ipeeting op tjje 16th. Several very extensive schemes are likely to bp suggested, and fqrwhich Government aid will be invited. The late favorable -weather has caused the crops on the flats of the Wakatip basin to look remarkably promising, except those portions on which the ground has been partially exhausted.