THE SHOTOVER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 8, 27 May 1863, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE SHOTOVER.

(tbox oub own correspondent.) May 26, 1863. Mention haying been made last week of the various extensive works now being carried out in the vicinity of Arthur's Point, I will endeavour to give some idea of the many busy seenes of similar operation on the Upper Shotover. Turning the river appears almost the only work that is going on, for there is scarcely a beach big enough to cut a race through but is fast assuming a complete transformation, beneath the combined efforts of those holding rlm'ma upon it; the most extensive work of the kind being about Wilson's Beach and Maori Point. The cutting of Sullivan and party, which is just complete, is the most perfect work of the kind that I have yet seen. The entire length is 700 feet, and the width at the bottom 30 feet, the wall on the side next the river being of solid stonework, and that opposite of timber, backed with brushwood ; the expense of construction has been very great, but there is little doubt that the undertaking will prove highly remunerative. Sullivan's claim adjoins that of the Maories, from which the Point derives its name, the original party in which, after dividing LSOOO, sold to the present party for L 650. The first day's washing after the sale produced four pounds weight of gold; it has since proved extremely rich, as I was shewn a tin billy nearly full of the precious metal, which I was Informed was taken from eight square feet of ground in a few days; the bottom has not yet been reached on account of the quantity of water which flows in from the river, the turning of which will be of great assistance to the shareholders.

The United Miners' Company are continuing Sullivan's race, upwards, and are also far advanced in their work. It is gratifying to witness the well directed efforts of these men, forty-seven in number, as each takes his place amongst the rest, and carry on the work with the regularity of a machine. The length of cutting when all complete will be about a quarter of a mile, the depth in places as much as fifteen feet, the workmanship bearing the same character as that of Sullivan's. The owners intend adopting a precaution against damage by floods, which will prove highly advantageous: a number of bags will be kept filled with sand ready to place at the head of the race when there is any appearance of the water rising. This will divert the river into its original channel, and keep the works from being destroyed. The cost, allowing L 6 per week per man, will amount to over L2OOO. Between these and Wilson's Beach, there are seven or eight companies, and several between Maori Point and Skipper's, who are at similar works, more or less extensive, consequently very little (Jtod is being obtained. Mr. Bergen, an enterprising Frenchman, resident at Butcher's Point, is about to construct a rather costly timber bridge across the Shotover at that place to admit of horse traffic. All the timber required for the work will have to be conveyed a distance of two miles over disgustingly rough ridges and gullies by manual labor, some of the logs taking as many as tventy-five men to carry them to their destination.

Several cases of rowdyism have occurred about this quarter of late. A most respectable man residing near the Junction, was brutally maltreated, through some misunderstanding relative to a mining dispute; and a storekeeper who refused to let a party of ruffians have drink, was beaten and deliberately turned out of his own store. A disgraceful affray also occurred between two parties of Irishmen, hailing respectively from Connaught and Tipperary —it appeared the result of an old grudge which they revived when in their cups; they went at it with sticks and stones in real earnest. One man was most brutally treated, he ran across the bridge to obtain shelter, when he slipped and was obliged to cling on to keep himself from drowning, the cowardly ruffians pelting him the while, and not leaving off till he was half dead and barely able to crawl; of course the distance and the terrific condition of the roads prevents any one seeking redress, but it is high time that such a lawless state of affairs should be put a stop to, as neither life nor property is safe. The German, Jarvis, who met with an accident on Tuesday week by means of a rock fidling on him whilst at work, was removed to his hut, where he has since died: the stone penetrated four inches below the ribs, causing death the following day. He was decently buried by his mates on the rugged banks of the Shotover, where a stone slab marks the spot of his solitary grave. Another accident occurred by means of a stone from a blast, which struck one of the workmen and broke his leg. I understand he is in a precarious 6tate, there being no medical aid nearer than the Arrow. I have to chronicle an interesting event which took place at Maori Point on Tuesday

last—that of the birth of a child. The parents who are named Jones, have been some time residing at this place. I think I may venture to assert that this is the first birth that has taken place in this dismal quarter. Accidents amongst horses are so common here that they are thought little of; but one that might have been of serious consequence occurred during the week. A horse which had been left to graze on a terrace above the Point fell during the night- (owing to the slippery state of the ground from frost), down a steep precipice into a tent beneath, but it fortunately happened that the owner was out at the time.

A man the other day very foolishly attempted to scale a rock which juts out into the river, dividing the west beach in two—it is supposed for the purpose of avoiding the double ferry. When some sixty feet up he found his progress stayed by a rather more than perpendicular face on the other side, on which our hero, not wishing to risk his neck, cautiously retraced his steps, when to his chagrin he found the task of getting down not quite so easy as he anticipated, and after several vain attempts, gave up in despair, and sat himself down to take stock of his difficulties. He sat there like " Patience on a monument" a considerable time, before the men, returning to their dinners, descried him in his awkward predicament, when they instantly Bet to work to release him by cutting steps up to where he was.