MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3597, 2 September 1874, Page 3

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

ARROW. (From our own Correspondent.) August 26. Op visiting the Cardrona during the last few days, I was surprised to find, after crossing the Crown range, that the country on the Cardrona side had not experienced the late fall of snow to anything like the extent of its close neighbor, the Wakatip. The Cardrona valley was almost free from snow on the fiats, although the mountains rejoiced in a substantial, deep, and well-frozen coat of it. Only a few parlies of miners are at this season to be found between the head of the creek and the township—about seven or eight miles. Cf these, very few can work their claims, only such claims as are favorably situated for sunshine being even partially workable. In cold countries, the position of claims as the amount of sunshine they command is a point to be considered : pot only in regard of convenience in working, but even as regards the gold deposits experience has proved that the sunny side is always—other conditions being equal—the beat side for gold; and anyone who has had much to do with -sluicing can understand at once what an effect the rays of the sun exercise in thawing the stuff operated upon, and thus favoring the depodt of the metallic particles. On the rivers and creeks, as a rule, it is found that while on the shady portions nothing but land-slides appear, on the sunny places made terraces and regular deposits of water-worn quartz and schist are found. It can easily be supposed what a mighty influence the sun must have had upon every spot commanded by its rays during the burning summers of its glacial period, and how this influence would favor the disentegration of rocks and deposit of metals. Be this as it may, the conditions under which gold is found at the Cardrona are not hostile to this theory. Near the township, some small surface seams of coal have been found, bat no systematic search baa been made, although the quantity fossicked out ought to encourage further efforts. At present it is worth L 5 per ton to get, but from the indications further prospecting may show Up something really valuable in this line. The township consists of three hotels, one store, a branch of the National Bank, police station, Bchoolhou.se, and several small but neat residences. The population of the field is about seventy or eighty Europeans, and abqut thrice that number of Chinese. The latter are bringing out more of their countrymen from the West Coast. The yield of gold averages something like 100 ounces per week. This is a moderate estimate, as it is difficult to arrive at the actual yield, this being such an out-of-the-way place. Some of the gold goes to Cromwell, and some to the Arrow. The public bodies consist of the local miners’ association and a progress committee of the business people. The latter, with (he aid o{ the Qhfrenittent, have dohe

much in improving roads, bridges, and tracks in the district, and in opening communication with Cromwell by an excellent track, of which all but the last section is completed. About the neighborhood of the township the lead was a v o t 200 yards wide, and very rich, bat this portion of it is nearly : vorked out, and the principal claims are ow within a mile below it. The payable ground is very wide, and the claims in full work :i;o paying from L3to L 6 or L 7 per -leek, whi e they will take many years to work out. Timber for driving is sold at 4d per running foot; it is brought from the Lakes Hawea and Wanaka. Already a small township is springing up about a mile below the present one, including Le Franchi’s hotel and Cotter’s store. The sinking is about forty feet, on a false bottom, and the flow of water is not considerable. The claims are drained by tail-races and water wheels. The Chinese have hitherto been engaged in re working tho old ground and shallow portions of the flit, but as this is nearly done, they will probably prospect for the lead further down. But little agriculture has yet been started, except a few potato paddocks and gardens. It would, however, be well if more attention were paid to this bi’anch, as good prices are realised for produce, owing to the distance of the Cardrona from producing localities. About twenty children attend the Government school, in charge of Mrs Cummins, the wife of the constable in charge. The Cardrona is under the charge of the Arrow Warden—Mr Stratford, now at ftaseby. In his absence, attendance devolves upon the Queenstown Warden, and, as that officer has a heavy charge without it, it will be better for all parties when Mr Stratford is permitted to resume his proper station, which, it is hoped, will be very shortly. About three miles below the townsnip is the prospecting claim of Austin and paity. .< hey are down about 16ft, and, should they strike the lead, will give a great impetus to the progress of the wo l kings. The Messrs Austin (two brothers) are old residents, who have always beec foremost in every good work for the public benefit ; and the (. ardrona owes much gain in comfort and reputation to their efforts. A Lttle lower uown is the celebrated sluicing country at Bi anch Creek. The miners are unable to work it at this season, but the washings up are very good. A race of ten heads from the Cardrona Creek has been brought m, and a prosperous future lies before the owners. Ten mihs below the township is the special Haim of oae mile in length of the flat of Messrs MacMn and Bond, who have not been able to raise the capital required to test it. They endeavored to float a company of 1.5,000 capital, but as only 800 shares were applied for, they returned the deposits, and intend to try to raise the capital by means of a company on a novel principle, which I am not prepared to disclose just now. There is every probability that the lead of gold will continue down the flat, through this grant, and ontotLe jnne tion of the Cardrona Creek with the Olutha, sixteen miles below the township. There is considerable fall all the way, aud it would be a feasible project to sluice the flat rich up from the Olutha. The tributary gullies all the way have proved auriferous, which is good evidence in favor of the continuation of the lead down the flat, and 1 firmly believe that this field will be the best piece of allurial country in the Province, and consequently command more attention than has aver yet been bestowed upon it. At present there is much depression, and. j° “ Se a common phrase, “things are dull, at the Cardrona, owing partly to the severity of the winter and the length of time occupied in opening and testing c aims by small parties ; but the departure of winter, and the probable introduction of one or two companies with capital to prospect the lead further, together with the settlement of an agricultural community at Mount Barker, about, four miles up from the Ulutha—which is, I believe, decided upon - should tell favorably upon the pro-perity aud progress of this valuable portion of the Provincial estate.

- case wai dealt with before the Queenstown R.M., which shows reprehen ible neglect ou the part of the Queenstown municipal authorities, who had summoned a resident to enforce compliance with the byelaws. As the Corporation could not show that they had taken the necessary steps to give their byedaws the force of law, they bad to withdraw the case. These up-country Municipalities sadly require some guiding friendly hand to place them upon a proper legal footmg. The resident lawyers—who profit by these blunders—cannot be expected to do it. Could not the Corporations be made to pass an examination, after the manner of Civil Service candidates, before obtaining their degree of incorporation ? or why should not every Mayor have to pass before an expert m Municipal law before being let loose upon unfortunate ratepayers ? Owing to the prompt attention of the District Engineer, the tracks damaged by flood Lave been again restored, and tho snow has been cleared from the tracks over the big hill to Macetown, and the saddle of the Crown Kange on the Cardrona track.