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Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 133, 6 August 1864, Page 2

A correspondent, writing on 3rd inst, says : "The locality of Sutherland's Beach is again looking up. Water wheels are all the rasjc—as crinoline to the ladies so are water wheels to the miners—quite indispensable. M'Master and party are in splendid working trim. This fine claim has been repeatedly commented upon when worked under the disadvantage of hand pumps ; the difficulty of bottoming and the immense expense attending it necessitated the erection of an undershot water wheel. This is now at work, and adds another proof to the skill and energy of this company. The yield of gold from a very small paddock previously worked was 70 ozs. Their next stripping promises immense results. Messrs Pearco and Thicle have speculated to great advantage—having no less than four shares in this claim. Hunter and party are going deep, but are next below M'Masters', and are sanguine of striking it heavy. Eva and party are getting splendid prospects, but like Hunter and party, . they are deficient of the indispensable water wheel. Gill and party and Wright and party 5 are having water wheels erected, and all are very • singuine of success."

THE SHOTOVER. (from our own CORRESPONDENT.) Maori Point, August 4. Lone Star Fluming Company.—The christening of this flume came off with great eclat last Saturday. A number of the residents of this district were present at the ceremony. The shareholders invited Mrs M'Lean to perform the 4 ceremony of christen iug. This lady, after turning on the water, broke a bottle of wine amidst the acclamations of the assembled miners. The party then adjourned to a marquee, where a firstrate luncheon was provided. After discussing the good things of this life " The Prosperity aad Success of the Lone Star Fluming Company" was proposed and drunk with applause. Mr Barrett proposed the health of Mrs M'Lean in a highly complimentary manner, and thanked her for gracing with her presence this auspicious event. Drunk in a bumper. Mr M'Lean returned thanks. The health of Mr James Crease Brown (architect), was next proposed by Mr Glancey, on behalf of the shareholders, who said that, but for the invaluable services of Mr Brown the undertaking could not have been gone through with, as they had almost insurmountable difficulties to contend with. The health was enthusiastically drunk. Mr Brown, in responding, said he was highly gratified at the compliment that had been paid to him, but he could not take all the credit to himself, for if it had not been for the able assistance rendered to him by the shareholders he would not have been able to have carried out the enterprise. Mr Rimmer next proposed the health of the visitors. Mr Burr proposed the Press. Responded to by Mr Welsh. The day's proceedings were enlivened by several songs and glees, aud terminated about 10 o'clock, with many hearty good wishes for the success of the Lone Star Fluming Company. I forward you a slight description of the flume : —The flume was erected to sluice the main sand hill. The distance timber had to be brought was over twenty-five miles, and had to be floated down the river by the aid of casks. This is most laborious and dangerous work for the men employed. Extreme height, 77 feet; length, 490 feet; number of poles used, 1,2.50, averaging from 12 to 35 feet long; 1,200 feet of sawn timber, and 380 lbs of nails were used. If the work had been contracted for it would have cost £1,500. The erection is composed of four distinct frames-lst, 24 ft; 2nd, 19 ft; 3rd, 12 ft; 4th, 10 ft. This great undertaking was completed in forty-one days, under the able management of Mr J. C. Brown, who has now the credit of having succeeded in carrying through the greatest enterprise that has been attempted in the Province. I regret to learn that Mr Brown is about to return to Victoria. Many such companies would be formed in this district, were a larger supply of water in proportion to the amount of labor and capital invested. It is a continual source of dissatisfaction even with individual miners, at the inadequate supply allowed, when the cost of labor and capital in bringing in waterraces is taken into consideration. The petition in favor of Mr Warden Williamson's return is being numerously signed, and will be forwarded to Dunedin by next mail. . ♦- After a fine long frosty spell of weather a change took place on Wednesday night; and Thursday afternoon ushered in rain, which continued all night and a great part of Friday morning, during a portion of which time it thundered very heavy accompanied by vivid flashes of lightning. The effect has been a sudden flood, causing considerable damage throughout the district far and wide. On the Shotover the river rose 9 feet, sweeping away water wheels, sluice-boxes, tools, &c. From up the Lake accounts of damage done are rife, though in this quarter not so easily ascertained. No accounts have reached us from the Arrow. The greatest loss is on the Shotover. The terrace men are jubilant and look to the change in the weather as the best advocate they could have secured in the great trial question of Terrace v. River. The effects of the flood to the claim-holders on this river are really disastrous, aud valuable waterwheels costing from £6O to £IOO have been tossed about upon the angry roll of this tempestuous river as wooden toys of little value. Races have been destroyed, and in several places valuable heaps of wash-airt that would gladden the eyes of a Molyneux miner are under water. The river rose suddenly and rapidly, and swept 11 away before it. As first accounts are generally extravagant in regard to damage done ; we hope our next issue will dispel some of these gloomy tidings. Up the Lake they manage now-a-days to secure themselves from the effects of a sudden flood, by forming covered-in tail-races, and this is one of the means by which the Shotover must eventually be worked. We shall be able to give further particulars in our next. The weather has again taken up, and it is to be hoped that it will continue fair for a few weeks longer, so as to give those miners who have expended so much labor and capital in the river workings an opportunity of reaping their due reward. The usual Resident Magistrate's Court was I not held vesterday in consequence of the severe illness of Mr Beetham, who has been confined to his house for the last few days by the prevailing epidemic, influenza The court will be held next Monday and Tuesday. Those of our readers fond of amusement and comicalities, will notice with pleasure the announcement in our advertising columns of the celebrated vocalist, Miss Annie Hall, and the clever comic singer, Mr E. F. Morris, who are expected to arrive in a few days, and give nightly entertainments at Bracken's Commercial Hall.