THE SHOTOVER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 50, 21 October 1863, Page 4

THE SHOTOVER.

(from our own correspondent.) Big Beach, Lower Shotover,

October 20th. My report this time will be gloomy in the extreme. Again have we been visited by a most disastrous flood, —for the sixth time the miners on this beach have had the labor of weeks torn from their grasp by the remorseless elements.

For the last three weeks they have been employed in again bringing up their tail-race. One hundred and thirty men bound together ijy the powerful tjes of self-interest, had, with Steady perseverance, just completed this great work, whenr-presto!—in six hours all was totally destroyed. I don't think this part of the Shotover is duly appreciated by the community in general of this district, because the claims, taken separately, have not given such astounding yields as some situated in more favorable localities, such as Maori Point, &c, &c.; but, let me assure you, its importance can hardly be overrated, from the large extent of payable if not rich ground. Unlike most parts of the Shotover, the miners here are not bound up between precipitous ranges. Operations are carried on in the centre of a large basin, comprising an area of many hundreds of I have no hesitation in saying, that the greater part is more or less payable; and could the miners only succeed in overcoming those almost fortnightly visitations, remunerative and permanent employment could be found here for hundreds of men. I think I may prophecy that in a short time a method will be adopted to work this beach that will bid defiance to ordinary floods. At present, however, all wear long faces. Many, I am sorry to say, are completely ruined, and meditate trying their luck in places where mining can be carried on with less inconvenience. Don't, however, imagine that the place is getting depopulated. No sooner does on£ disappear from the scene, than another takes his place, and like tried soldiers they rush to the breach, determined, at all hazards, to carry the enemy's position, and there is ho doubt of their ultimate success.

On Wednesday evening last, the flood came down after two days of slight but steady rain, which brought down off the hills an immense quantity of snow, and the river since that time has continued high, so as to put a stop to all mining "operations, and from the present unsettled state of the weather I don't

think they will be resumed, excepting in very favored localities, for some days. The company employed in side-fluming the river between this place and Arthur's Point, have suffered equally with the Big Beach Company. The United Beach-holders, who are turning the river through Arthur's Point proper, have received no damage, not being far enougli advanced with their work. The undertaking is a mighty one, and I trust it will be attended with the success it merits. I am afraid much injury has been inflicted on the unfortunates higher up the river, from the quantity of crates that have been washed down. Poor fellows! with unprecedented perseverance do they struggle against the natural disadvantages of this extraordinary river, and they struggle unassisted. Shut up amidst snow and gloomy solitude, hope, bright hope! alone marshals the way, and by her beacon light alone is he cheered. But much might be done to ameliorate his condition, but the subject has been so well handled by a far abler pen than mine in the columns of this paper, that I am almost afraid to touch upon it for fear of being thought guilty of plagiarism. I allude to the disgraceful manner in which our moderate and just demands have been attended to by the Council in Dunedin. They are battening on the heart's blood of the miners—their trump card, the goose that lays the golden eggs; and now with insane folly, like the fool in the fable, they are doing all they can to kiH the goose herself. But let me assure them that the aforesaid goose is much more tenacious of life than they have any idea of, and she is 'taking such action in the matter as will in a short time make the venerables in Dunedin open both eyes, and (who knows) perhaps their pockets too. All classes suffer more or less. The merchants and storekeepers sell at the lowest possible figure; the packer packs for ditto, of course. I don't give them credit for any extraordinary abnegation of self—it is thorough competition; and yet the storekeepers would be able to sell at a lower figure, and still realize a larger profit, and the packer would save his unfortunate horses if our roads, or rather tracks, were only passable. Let any one visit Elliot's auction mart in Queenstown, and observe the frightful state of some of the horses brought in for sale, and he may form a pretty just estimate of what Shotover packing is- Martin's Act should be brought to bear upon the powers in Dunedin. I believe the result would be most beneficial.