THE ARROW.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 28, 5 August 1863, Page 5

THE ARROW.

(from, our own correspondent.) August 3, 1863. Mining operations are yet at a standstill in this immediate neighbourhood. The Arrow has not yet gone down sufficiently to admit of work being resumed upon the races and dams along the course of the river. In the course of the last two days snow has again melted on the ranges, and we seem as far off as ever from having the water within manageable limits. Every exertion is being made by the miners and others interested to overcome the great difficulties which the mildness of the winter has placed in the way of successful enterprise. A track is being cut, and is nearly completed to open communication with the fiist two or three miles of the river and the township. The expense has been met by subscription, the greater proportion of which has been raised by the residents. To give an idea of the temporary stagnation in digging matters, no less than fortyfive protections have been granted this last week, and in every direction these notices, or the ominous " Protected" stare one in the face. Hogan has sold out of his claim—certainly the best in or near the Flat—for £4O. This must not, however, be taken as a just estimate of the value, for the other shareholders would decline, they say, even £l5O, and from all experience of the ground and probability of its future yield, they are right. To-day a share in the Hit or-Miss is to be sold by public auction, under a warrant of distress, and the amount realized will in some measure justly test the public feeling with regard to the value of this sort of property. The Drainage Committee met on Friday; they came to the conclusion that water in sufficient quantity to work the wheels necessary for clearing the Flat could not be

obtained except from the Arrow River itself; and a sub-committee was appointed to survey the ground and to examine the question of the practicability and probable expense of adopting this plan Great natural difficulties, no doubt, are presented to a successful drainage of the whole Flat; but still we may hope, with a little assistance from the Government, to overcome them, and to wrest the hidden treasures from their present watery bed. The whole interest of the Arrow Sluicing Company in their race and right of water from the Bush Creek, is announced for sale by private contract. As it will require large funds to complete the work, it is not to be expected that speculators will go in heavily. The prospecting shafts sunk on the upper terrace above the township, have been sunk to the depth of 70 feet without bottoming. As the windlasses, &c., are removed, it is to be presumed that the work is abandoned for j the present. The bridle-track to the Dunstan is reported to be in a most dangerous state; the sidelings are altogether gone, and the precipitous cuttings of the various gullies have to be ascended and descended with considerable risk. The Roaring Meg stopped all communications for some days after the last flood; even Mr. Rowley had to turn back, and retrace his steps to the Dunstan. The Gentle Annie diggings are not turning out very well, though a few parties have been very successful. A fine sample of gold was seen there on Friday—lo ozs. from one paddock. The sinking is from 3to 9 feet; tunneling is being carried on in several places. There are about 50 tents scattered along the gully, with the usual allowance of storekeepers and licensed or unlicensed purveyors of liquor. Great damage was done to the workings in the Cardrona Valley by the last flood. As on the Arrow and Shotover, there was a clean sweep of all mining material; many huts were washed away, and races and dams have to be constructed anew.

The notice that a meeting would be held for the purpose of forming a Provisional Committee to collect funds for the Hospital, drew a large concourse of people to the Golden Age Concert-room. The proceedings went off very satisfactorily, and the committee at once commenced filling up their subscription lists. Several very handsome amounts were announced in the room. It would be invidious to name individuals where all are so anxious to do their utmost; but I may mention that Sergeant Lynch expressed, on behalf of the police force at the Arrow, their intention to subscribe £1 a-year each —in all £6; and Mr. Tom Fawcett stated he would give half of the gross proceeds of one evening's performance. An inquest was held here on Saturday, on the body of the sawyer, Fred., who was killed with two others on the 28th ult., by a sudden rush of water down the Bush Creek. The evidence was substantially the same as given in the late inquest, and the Jury returned a verdict that " The deceased met his death by drowning by the sudden rise of the Bush Creek."

Mr Tom Fawcett, with a small but talented company, give their first performance on Saturday evening next at the Prince of Wales Theatre. We really want something to enliven the dead monotony of existence in these parts, and are fortunate in having to look forward to a dramatic treat of no mean order. It is to be hoped they will meet with such support as may induce them to prolong their stay amongst us, and postpone for a few weeks their intended visit to Queenstown.