MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 125, 9 July 1864, Page 3

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

We have been favored with the following items of intelligence from a gentleman thoroughly qualified to judge, who has just returned from visiting the upper portions of the Shotover district.

I consider this district at the present time to be in a healthier state than what it was some months back, for this simple reason that the parties who are now at work are all obtaining remunerative returns, and are likely to continue to do so for a long time to come. The greatest evil hitherto has been the system of credit which is now out of date. It has proved the curse of this district, as it has been much abused. Men going into a river claim ought to have funds of their own, and not rely solely upon storekeepers to support them while prospecting the river. The idle and surplus population is now weeded out, and everything promises well for the future.

Maori Point.—Sullivan's claim is still working, and giving good returns. Bob Millen and Patsy Burke are obtaining handsome wages. Several other claims about the spot are doing very fairly. Tyree and party, Shellback Beach, are progressing favorably in their work of cutting the rock, and there is not the slightest doubt that when the work is finished it will pay handsomely; shares are held very firm, and at £l2O I could find no sellers. It will take from two to three months more to complete. The sluicing claims are partly idle in consequence of the frosts and some disputes about running tailings into the river. Pleasant Creek.—The hydraulic sluicing works at this place are in full operation, and nothing can surpass the admirable system upon which they are worked. The race and works have been executed by Gladding and party, and has occupied them some six months in completing. They are of the most workmanlike description. They have a good face upon their work, and would be unable to work at this steep precipice but for this system of hydraulic washing. It will well repay a visit, and I am glad to say that they are being well remunerated for their labor. I anticipate this will be the universal plan for working all our terraces up and down the river in future.

Skipper's.—This is without exception the healthiest part of the district. The Mammoth Race Company, Savage and Company, and Grogan and Company, are all progressing favorably with their work of bringing in their races, notwithstanding the severe frosts that have for some time ruled in these mountain elevations. The races are expected to be completed in two months, and all the parties have had to overcome insurmountable difficulties. A rich and lasting harvest is in store for these various companies. The tunnels are being still worked energetically, and are paying well. The crushing machine on the quartz reef is stopped in consequence of the water wheel ceasing to work through frost, which has frozen the supply of water that turned it. The party are still getting out magnificent stone, and the reef is becoming more developed, and assuming at the depth reached the appearance of a fixed and regular lode. Enough stone is uncovered to last over a twelvemonth. Crushing operations will be suspended until spring. This portion of the district has lately lost the presence of Mr James Kelly, a storekeeper, universally esteemed and respected throughout the district, who has left for a few months on a visit to Victoria.

Butcher's Point—-The boatman's claim is paying the best here, but there are several other good claims. Packer's Point—Power's claim is still yielding very excellent returns. Sandhills —Litigation still rages here in reference to the river claims. The Fluming Company for sluicing the sandhills will have their works finished in about a fortnight. A great space is crossed at a high altitude by them, and the works altogether reflect great credit upon those engaged upon them. It is reported that they will be handsomely rewarded for their enterprise. Above the Sandhills several parties are doing exceedingly well, and the hitherto neglected portion of this district is springing into importance.

The road engineers are surveying a road to Moke Creek and Moonlight. We must express on behalf of those interested, the gratification they feel at the promptitude shown by the present government in attending to the reasonable representations made in our columns. V contract has been entered into for the erection of snow poles on the same line.