HEAD OF THE LAKE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 90, 9 March 1864, Page 4

HEAD OF THE LAKE.

(from a correspondent.) March 8. The very agreeable change in the weather with which we have been favored during the last three weeks has given a healthy stimulus to all mining operations in this locality, and likewise to every other branch of business in proportion. The working of the Bucklerburn river is now being entered upon with much spirit, not only by those who had suspended operations in consequence of the injuries received from the last heavy fall of rain, buc by several new parties who have come to court the fickle goddeis in this remote quarter. Wolfe and party have conquered the greater portion of their trouble, and I should presume from the appearance of the progress they have made that they will be washing during the ensuing week. Roche and party, notwithstanding the many reverses and disappointments with which they have had to contend, have once more got into thorough operation, and the ground already washed gives the most flattering assurance of repaying them handsomely fjr their labor. Lewis and Co will commence washing in a few days. The Greek Company are doing remarkably well. From good authority I learn that this party have averaged not less than ten ounces per day since they first occupied their claim. Merant and several other parties have taken up the ground above the aforesaid, and will probably be washing next week. Bank sluicing here is very limited, only three parties in active operation, namely : —the Firebrand Company, Councillor Grey and Company, and the Clare hiovs are all working upon the terraces, in close proximity to the formerly occupied by the original prospectors. The celebrated claim at the mouth of Precipice Creek, (which there has been so much talk of) and known as " Potato's Claim," has proved a complete failure. Messis. Colly and Barrett have erected a new weatherboarded store; it is very commodious, well built, and adds greatly to the appearance of this part of the neighborhood. Mrs. Hartley is likewise building an extensive dwelling, which I believe is intended for an hotel. A great want is frequently experienced by travellers for a house of public accommodation, and I am sure, should the above lady carry out her design and succeed in obtaining a license, that every one having occasion t3 call will meet with a civil and kind hearted hostess, who, in her own maternal way will endeavour to make them feel as much at home as lays in her power. Nothing has occurred worth recording in connection with the new rush. Should anything occur calculated to enhance the prospects of the mining population in your district vou may rely upon receiving the earliest information. The body of that unfortunate individual who was drowned in the Lake, and named McDonald, has not been recovered. Too much praise cannot be awarded to Sergeants Bryant and Winter for the indefatigable exertions they used in endeavouring to appease public anxiety in this case, for the deceased was a man highly respected, and one of the first prospectors on this river.

MAORI POINT.

(from our own correspondent.) March 3, 1864. The weather continues fine and the river very low; a good escort is expected. Anderson's claim is turning out splendidly, but have not yet washed up; as large a yield as has ever been on the river is expected ; two nuggets, one above an ounce and the other 16 dwts., were found in the bottom now being taken off. Milieu's claim is not doing so well as usual, still good gold is being got. Callery's party have bottomed a duffer, and Sullivan's have not obtained much out of their paddocks. They are now at work near the boundary of Campbell's claim, and are sanguine of a good find. Campbell and party have washed up, having over 16 lbs. weight. They have since disposed of their claim to the men working for them. Scott's claim has turned out well; they have a tremendous heap of wash-dirt, but do not intend to sluice until they have taken off a few more paddocks. Owen's party sunk a duff-r, but have again struck the gold lower down the river. The spare ground taken up between the crates and Milieu's claim has turned out some gold, but not very rich. Baker's party sunk outside the crates, but did not get gold. The " Perfect Cure" claim

on J.B.B's Beach is turning out very we*', while the claim above are as much as gerang expenses ; they are in expectation of getting some large finds on this beach in the ensuing week. Business is progressing favorably.

THE ARROW.

(from our own correspondent.) March 5, 1864. Our neighbours at the Twelve-Mile diggings are getting impatient by reason of the still continued delay in the commencement of work on the long talked of bridle track to this township, and at a meeting held there a few days ago, of the principal inhabitants, it was decided that a letter should be forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent, containing a gentle reminder that they anxiously await the fulfilment of the promise embodied in his late after dinner oration, that a track to the TwelveMile should be immediately constructed. No sign even of a stray surveyor has yet been seen in the district, and much disappointment is experienced, that although the summer season is so far advanced, not a single stroke has yet been struck towards a public work so urgently needed. The quiet, easy going people of the Arrow also begin to wonder when any definite information may be expected as to the route which will be adopted for the Main Trunk Road. At present the subject seems to be left an open question, the decision depending on the report of the Government road surveyor ; the result of this report and the probable action that will be taken by the Government thereon is a theme of much earnest discussion, as either for good or bad, it must materially effect the interests of this township. Meanwhile, it is only just to note that our Superintendent has not been utterly unmindful of the interests of this district, although the benefit to arise from the action he has taken is at present somewhat problematical, as unfortunately, a doubt exists as to whether we are in a position to accept the gift now offered us. A letter has been received by Dr Douglas, chairman of the Arrow Township Committee, from John Hislop, Esq., secretary to the Board of Education, communicating the fact that at a meeting of the Board, held on the 25th ult., his Honor the Superintendent on behalf of the inhabitants of the Arrow and vicinity, made application for aid towards the maintenance of the proposed pubiic school to be established on this township, and that the Board authorised the payment of a sum not exceeding £65 per annumn towards that object, on condition that the promoters of the school contribute at least a sum equal to that paid by the Government, and that a competent teacher be appointed. It therefore behoves the heads of families and all other residents here to consider whether they will avail themselves of the proferred subsidy, or allow it to lapse. The withholding of promises of support when the subject was under discussion here some short time since, on the ground that the number of pupils likely to attend a school when established, would be too limited to render the school fees collected from them worthy the acceptance of a competent teacher may perhaps be reconsidered now a governmental subsidy is actually guaranteed, ani for the information of those who may wish to bring the matter to a practical issue, I may state that the secretary of the Board has forwarded a copy of the Education Ordinance, 1862, from which full instructions may be gained as to the necessary mode of procedure. The promoters of the movement will have first to guarantee a certain sum of money, to be collected in this case by voluntary subscriptions, equal, if possible, to the profferred Government subsidy, as a proportion of the annual expenses of the district. They will then have to elect a school committee, holding office for twelve months, the majority of whom must be parents of families, and in this committee will be vested, subject to the general superintendence and control of the Educational Board, the appointment of a teacher, the determining of the rates of school fees to be paid weekly by the parents of each pupil, in addition to the teacher's yearly salary accruing from the subscriptions and Government grant, and the entire management of educational matters in the district. Nothing stirring has occurred here of late in mining affairs. A report that the Jersey party, working above the Arrow Falls, had bottomed their paddock is incorrect, the latest news stating that the men were working up to their waists in water and unable to keep it down with their present pumping machinery. The Alabama Company, who lately lost the run of gold in their claim, are reported to have again struck the lead and obtaining a good yield therefrom. From Bracken's gully a considerable exodus is about to take place, many men who have been working there for some time past and quietly potting their gold week by week, being now about to clear out en route for Victoria.