MAORI POINT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 23, 18 July 1863, Page 5

MAORI POINT.

(from our own correspondent.) NEW RUSH. July 17, 1863. Two men have been smothered on Skipper's Creek, in a tent, adjacent to the original prospectors' claim. An inquest has been held by Mr Warden Williamson, and the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death." I have just heard of seven men being killed on the Big Beach, two miles above Moa Creek. The cause assigned for this fearful catastrophe was as follows:—At the commencement of the flood, the falling of the rocks in the Gorge, together with the loose shrub and debris formed a complete dam. The unconscious sufferers were camped below, and after a considerable time the dam burst, descending with fearful velocity, crushing and carrying everything before it. Up to this time, I have only heard of two of the bodies being discovered. No other casualties have transpired as yet, as far as I can learn. At Wilson's Beach, I may mention that Bracken and party have lost provisions amounting to the value of £2OO, besides the total destruction of their claims; and I am sorry to learn that a great many others have suffered severely. A new rush has taken place on the righthand branch of Skipper's, and is affording employment to upwards of 400 miners. All appear to be doing well, and are in high spirits. Gold is plentiful enough on the Shotover, if men would only look for it, instead of wasting their time shepherding river claims. The bridge at Packer's Point has also been carried away, and is now being reconstructed. The store of Mr. Bergen has also decamped, as likewise many other huts, tents, &c, and the miners are actively employed in repairing the ravages done by the flood. At Maori Point, everything appears to be at a stand-still, and it will require months of hard labor to put everything in the same condition I as it was previous to the flood. The new ferry boat has been completed, and is now plying under the skilful management of " Bob," and is answering admirably. The canoes have gone the way of ail flesh, after the last hazardous trip down Sullivan's race; and I expect ere new are furnishing firewood for some of the inhabitants of Maori Point or elsewhere.

Notwithstanding the glum-looking aspect of affairs on this Point, a few of our most enterprising business men are rapidly putting up places of accommodation: amongst whom are Messrs. Bracken and Wilson, who have already in course of erection refreshment-rooms, adjoining their store. Other stores, &c, are in course of construction, but at present the dreadful state of the weather prevents their completion. The river is rapidly falling, and would soon be at its ordinary level; but the weather looks gloomy and threatening overhead, as if a snow-storm was impending. I regret that my details are so meagre, but the means of communication are extremely difficult from here to the adjoining localities, owing to the execrable state of the roads. Indeed, if it were not for Fox's Express, which arrives and departs with miraculous regularity, whatever the weather, we should be entirely cut off from the outer world. I will be enabled to give you more ample particulars in my next.