THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3464, 30 March 1874, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

TlfJ’lrtl Shotoveb.—After an absence of some .weeks, I am glad to forward the few items of interest obtainable. St. Patrick’s Day was marked by the bulk of the residents as a high holiday, and a ball at Goodwin’s Hotel, Maori Point, in the evening attracted a large number, ihe rather limited population on this river is actively, employed at present, both in the river bed and terraces. The' New Channel Co. are trying to bottom a paddock at Maori Point; a sluicing party are tracing payable geld back in the terrace. The Wash is well defined, and about sft deep. Above the Point w the Hibernian Elver claim, worked hy sik mefi, with a fine wheel and every appliance requisite. This party expect to be lifting wash-dirk in about three Weekb. They have turned the river for a distance' of 1,000 feet. The Shotover Terrace Co. have all but completed the 1,700 feet tunnel po Pleasant Creek, to supply water for the sluice. 1 his drive has involved a heavy outlay as difficulties of various kinds attended it; the first ahd greatest being the absence of a reliable chart of the workings already made in that part pf the ground, and of the probable love! of wash. It is satisfactory, however, to the Co, to know that now it is in a thoroughly effective ponditiop, both as regards .correctness of level and durability of construction, and will prove Of immense value in reference to the economical working of the mine. The satpe remarks will apply to the extensive works in other parts of thetgrouncl, where mechanical appliances of the best description have been introduced, and in a few days the Company wall be able to raise and sluice the quantity of dirt at the cost which it mu 8 tvt °hj ec t of the late alterations to effect. Ibe Nugget Beef Co. are raising some good stone, and as the development of the mine has been retarded hitherto from lack of capital, the pronts of the mine have been expended on oapi--60 fc hat an increased yield would enable the proprietors tp open up the mine in such a manner as to enable it to take the high position to which its resources entitle it. At .ipper s reefs some extensive improvements in water supply and crushing power are in contemplation, as it is considered that from the abundance of stone and the average of past qmshmgs, a large field exists for the profitable emdloyraent of capital in cheapening the cost of extraction. One of the principal alluvial olaimholdcra is prospecting for a reef in Heasant Creek. Higher up the river above the sandhills, Cotter, Bateman, and party have commenced to lift very payable wash, after great labor and expense fora long period; but 1 am sorry to say that their claim has been sold by a creditor in the first moment of their success, which is a hard case for them. A large Extent of payable river flats here would be worked if the requisite capital for the erection

°f machinery could be obtained. The result of the sale of runs seems to give general satisfaction, and the action of the Government in the of the matter is commended. The Rev. Father Mackay, from the Arrow, held mass at the Shotover Terrace on Sunday last, which was well attended. Residents on the Shotover are awkwardly situated as regards education for thenchildren, as no school of any kind is to he found on the river. From the scattered position of the families and the difficult nature of the country, a visiting schoolmaster might organise a system of, at any rate, periodical lessons which would lie preferable to none, as it is a pity to see children of a Province possessing a good educational system debarred from participating in its benefits. A private letter from the Palmer rush received by a resident here, speaks so favorably of its prospects that a few miners are leaving for that field. A miner named Harney met with a severe accident in going up Stoney Creek. He fell over a cliff and was much cut about the head, besides biting through his tongue; the injuries caused great loss of blood, and he is slowly recovering.