THE SHOTOVER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 123, 2 July 1864, Page 3

THE SHOTOVER.

(from our own correspondent.) Maori Point, June 29.

For mining, the weather has been splendid for the last fortnight, and from its settled appearance we may expect a continuance of the same for some time. Although we have had some heavy snow storms, still the nights have been always freezing, which has caused the river to subside considerably—in fact, it is as low as it was two months ago. Many parties are now working ground, with fair results, that was abandoned.

Numbers of miners who left here for the

Picton rush are returning; they state that we may expect to see most of the old faces again should they have the " sinews of war" to bring them back. The Perfect Cure had lost the lead in the last few paddocks they sank, but have now got it again as good as ever. The paddock they are washing up to-day will, I think, give them as good a yield as any of the former ones. Sullivan's party are putting in new crates, which will take about a week. They want to get into the lower end of their ground, where the lead appears to tend. The United Beach Company are still getting good wages. They wanted to erect a powerful water-wheel, but were objected to by the Race Company, because the Race Company had a grant from tne Warden to re-turn the river as soon as Sullivan's party were worked out; and that they had taken up their claim after the Race Company had got their grant. The objection was upheld by the Warden. There is no doubt but that if a powerful wheel were erected, the whole of the beach would be worked to advantage. The New Channel Company (Shellback) is progressing rapidly under the able management of Mr Thackeray. The claims on Stapleton's are at a standstill until the race from the Deep Creek is completed, which will not be for another fortnight. All their wheels and pumps are ready, and the efficient manner in which they have been erected, reflects a great deal of credit upon the parties concerned.

The sluicing party at Pleasant Creek is now in full working order, and from what I can judge I consider this claim will prove to be one of the richest that has been in the district. They have a splendid head of water, which took them many months to bring in. Should any of your readers chance to come this way, it will well repay them to pay this claim a visit, and I am sure they will meet with a warm welcome from the hospitable proprietors. The United Company (Old Butcher's Point) are getting very good yields ; last week they got from 90 to 100 ozs., and expect to realize the same amount this week.

Many of the business men in this district have requested me to ask you to insert a weekly list of prices current. They complain very much of the difference in prices charged by the Queenstown storekeepers.