WARDEN'S REPORT.

Evening Star, Issue 3405, 20 January 1874, Page 3

WARDEN'S REPORT.

j The following is the report 'of MrWardon j Stratford (Arrow) for the quarter ended |3liitHeceipW ; iash':— “"/rV ‘, ! Hunnc, tbe ( paont]b18, l 8, of November apd ...Jje* jeember frequent storm's of wind', rSin7 and ;anow prevailed. The t snow. lay Ipw pn the jmountaiKb fdr ( Several- days; |dis?pp.eared, blip wing, the, sluicera, rtb'uudant water;jto > work'-the; ;t err aces, ,but-tXe \ rivers, :and creeks swelled so continuously, that’ all,’ {progress in mining therein whs retarded, Ji; i oii jthrt!;B7th,,ol i thfti'-ifotatapu /and? ( than in; May last, i jeausing quite a flood,; which left,many, pf-the : jriver dismay.: <Their, qlaims (besides loss;, of .plSrtt)>WereuP.ntirelyidestrpyed' tand Bsrsptu«.Tf:ay,r. f?l«iojmg for, irtanyif years, jpast has been thepredomibabti qharaqter.istip''. jof the Upper Arrow, and is now being proseicptPjd with great Vigor an<jjtqual rsuccess, in ! a Mplaits.- ; of/ ;thi« tdistrict,] j-jA? r of/ fln tbe terraces and banks of' the Eawaruu river are all being actively <and> jßystematically worked, and are paying tolerpood) wggea. .Shares in>clpinjß. at <the lately dhapged; hands Atisatisl^dtpry^prio^.; indicating tho . valtxe sot ;ou {ground unworked. On the , north-vyest ter.- s {races, between Arrowtown and Macetown, jtnnneliing r claims arO|tur!iing ; opt wplh"paypng from L 3 to Ll4 per man a week. Amongst |thp Alluvial workings ;bii> tho ranged recent .discoveries were made of/4uartz specimeni. |aud hbayy!Cortrse gold.' Glaiois ib Neufchum, ! Bracken s> * ’ Eighfcmile, Twelve-mile',- and {Bush Greeks,!likewise the Cardionaj Motajtapn, and Arrow rivers are-still-producing Haring this' quarter in'dividual parties nt the aboye-meutioned places have done well, trtore 'especially those (employed on the terraces and spurs. At the •Sons of Forturlh claim, Arrow River Valley, operations are shortly tobe commenced. /The ; (original owners are. sanguine as td theJ snc(cess of their undertaking*, e and? hayrt good {reason to believe; their iexpectations will be The valuable auriferousness of the i cO i-U/JJ.i {

river above and .bclowfth® falls, which is in-5 eluded within -the -peg3..of. this .company,, is; well known. Another part of the river bed,! that has hitherto overpowered all trials, being successfully worked at a great depth! by means of a shaft and orivea. This speaks well for the perseverance of those engaged thereat, and evinces to others the practical bility of developing the bidden treasure (so frequently wrought for in the neighborhood,; but not yet obtained, through floods amt various impediments). The United Company,l Arrowton, have completed their water-race,' and erected dams, and are busy sinking a* shaft preparatory to the arrival of machinery; from Dunedin. The Universal claim, ad-| joining the above, at the confluence of Arrow! .River and Bush Creek, lies dormant. The: three companies referred to are expected tobe in full work during the summer, and will' necessarily cause a change from the present! dullness of business at the Arrow. j This season is most favorable for agricul-j ture, and it is pleasing to notice the farmers; are already busy preparing for harvest. The; crops are splendid, especially the wheat,; which is more abundant than any grown in the district. As so large a quantity! of wheat will be ready for harvesting at one; time, and labor here is not adequate to the{ requirements, doubts are entertained as to; the result. I learn a number of laborers mayj get employment at 10s per day and found; in provisions. j At Whitechapel Flat, since my last report, j there has not been much doing except by j Mathieson and party, who have obtained! 440z of gold for about one month’s works, j Walker and M‘Whir ter are still working on! the Crown Terrace; the ground is heavy, j and containing large stones. They only 1 make small wages. The miners have a good supply of water, and are able to work the | ground to a better advantage than hereto ! fore. Rough gold has been found on the! Crown Terrace. !

I have to notice the great improvements made in the principal streets at A rrowtown. Wear the Camp Reserve pathways have been formed and covered with gravel. The roads have been levelled and metalled, which affords the residents a convenience, and enhances the value of town property. The Catholic Church and other stone buildings are approaching completion. 'I he erection of some shops and dwelling-houses at Arrow* town is prolonged in consequence of the scarcity of laborers and high wages de* manded; also the probable reduction in the price of material. At recent sales of freehold property high figures have been realized, which elicits the confidence of the inhabitants, and is a good sign of the stability and resources of this place. The new town from Arrowtowa to Macetown is an invaluable benefit to the residents an I a very considerable advantage to the packers and others who have business along the river and at Macetown. The main roadway and tracks adjacent to Macetown have for a long period rt quired attention, and are now undergoing a thorough drainage and metalling. 200 Chinese have left the district daring the present quaiter; most of them have gone to Hokitika. Miners’ wages, L2 10s to L 3 10s per week; laborers’ wages, LI to LI 15s per week and found ; nurse gi. Is, domestic and general servants’ wages, 13s to 25s per week, or L3O to LOO a year ; married couples, from L6st° LB6 per year,, board -anfl, residence. Beef, 4d to Cd per lb to 54d per lb. Flour, Ll2 per ton. Breach 7dper 4lb lojfo A VVU-f '■ -