THE SHOTOVER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 168, 7 December 1864, Page 2

THE SHOTOVER.

(from oub own cobeespondent.) December 2. All mining affairs at, and near Maori Point wear a most cheering aspect, the shareholders in every claim, as if some new life had been infused into them, seem to work with a charming vigor. Visit whichever claim one may, the same activity abounds, and the same knowing smiles meet one, which seem to say "Ah, master Shotover, we have learnt how to conquer you at last, and intend to enjoy a merry Christmas and a happy new year from the spoils of thy ancient channel.'' And such is likely to be the case ; for the numerous enterprises now near completion are of a character most creditable to the intelligence, and unswerving patience of the miners in prosecuting their operations on the only system suitable for properly working the liver thoroughly, and who seem determined if possible to get the wherewith to enjoy themselves at the forthcoming festivities. I visited the Perfect Cure Beach, where 1000 feet moie of ground is crated off, below Maori Point bridge. The Diligence Wheel is now in full working order. This wheel and pumping gear belong to that veteran river-neptune, K. Millan and his party, who may be seen daily, during this fine weather, up to his middle in water, active as a kitten and strong as a lion, steering or hauling a huge punt load of stones from the head of an adjoining claim to its destination at the tail end of the race. This kind of work, I am glad to say, is nearly done with, and after sticking to it through all difficulties for nearly two years, the party are just sinking their first paddock since the completion of their wall. An accident occurred whilst I was there, which shows how thoroughly the miners and the Shotover understands each other. Whilst Millan and two of his mates were hauling their punt along and passing her through the mill race which drives the undershot wheel the current carried off punt and painter, and away she went down the stream at the rate of ten knots an hour, when —helter skelter—some half dozen of the party rushed into the current as if it were merely a plunge bath, and quickly seized the the wayward punt and hauled her safely to shore. The owners of the Inglewood claim, on the same beach, with Mr Dyer, as engineer and manager, at their head, and with whom also are Messrs Anderson and La Rue—are just completing their well-built wheel, and in the course of a week this valuable ma* hine with its accompanying pumping gear will grace the well-protected mill race and beach, performing the work of fifty men at every revolution. The Inglewood company have have been at their work as long or longer than the Diligence company, and have had the same battles to fight against the terrace sluicers and suffered the same disappointments in attempting to work thtir ground without first providing the necessary strong and suitable embankments and machinery. They have stopped at nothing; their wheel is provided with the latest improvements in cog, instead of the fly wheel and rope, as in the Perseverance and Barrett's. By the cog-wheel being attached to the driving wheel the pumping gear can be detached in a moment, without the danger of an accident occurring by the rope becoming foul of the works and twisting the axle off, as has been the case on several occasions in other works. But what is of the utmost consequence in this claim is, that no man will be required to watch the machinery ail night, as at the Barrett's, and the Perseverance. I note these things that miners, who may be preparing new appliances, may reap the benefit of inspecting such improvements. The Inglewood claim is some 900 feet in length, and the whole of it crated off; whereas Millan and party's claim, although crating theirs in two, is only some 150 feet. Both claims have been proved, and very little of them ever worked on account of the large amount of water to contend against. In one or two paddocks, however, about twelve feet square, as much as 90 ounces of gold were taken out, although, at the time, it was necessary to lift the washdirt up in two or three feet of water. It is those first prospects which caused all hands to enter into the large and costly undertaking, now so near completion, and in a fortnight the Inglewood party will be on gold, the first time for eight months. The iron work for their axles and pumps wa3 made in Queenstown, and the wood—called ironwood—used for the cogs, was obtained at the Head of the Lake, and packed to this place, and are used in preference to iron ones, because, if broken or destroyed, they can be easily replaced on the spot. As these two parties, 20 in all, have accomplished all the work among themselves, without the aid of " furnishers," the reward to the individual miner will be all the greater. Next in order comes that justly celebrated claim of Stuart and party (Sullivan's) which—through any amount of litigation—has been regularly worked (under the able guidance of Mr John Moflat, the engineer), with the aid of the Defiance wheel, and necessary crating and pumping gear. This party, after working all the available ground near them, are now actively engaged in shifting their wheel and works to the opposite side of their late claim, which operation will be complete in a few days. All the owners of river and beach claims have to build a head-dam acrcsa the present river course which will occupy about ten days, and then some 1000 leet of new ground will be opened up and about forty men engaged thereon. The crating for the wall being already in its place, the head-dam only is required to enable the parties to work a very large extent of proved ground. Lastly I will just allude to Barrett and party who have been for more than six weeks crating off new ground, and put in their last crate yesterday. The wheel only has to be shifted to the lower end of their claim, when this company will also be on gold. This work will occupy about ten days, after which the party will proceed face on, with a tail-race, instead of, as be* fore, having to dam back the low water, and pump the whole out of their paddock. Taking everything into consideration, I am warranted in predicting large yields from all these claims by Christmas, ana a heavy escort for

the new year. The above statements being the result of ray gleanings for the past week, I am justified in asking for our Shotover miners a proper and varied programme of sports in Queenstown for the Christmas and New Year's holidays ; every man who has £b to spare is almost sure to pay you a visit. The recollections of last Christmas day, when some 2000 persons were assembled in your streets, is in the memory of most miners, and I therefore trust that your townsfolks will " come down" handsomely in providing funds for prizes, and do their best to give ail the up-country people a few days of such genuine pleasure, the recollections of which will remain imprinted on their memories for many a year to come. f The Perseverance party, Stapleton's Beach, divided close on £4OO amongst them last week, after paying ten wages men ; and but for the rise in the river on Friday would have had a much larger sum. They commenced to strip again on Saturday, and have still gold on hand. The Aylmer Race Company, instead of washing up from their ground sluice, wash out their boxes every now and then. The proceeds from these last week amounted to about 115 ozs. The Mountain sluicers are on better ground than they expected to find, and their prospects are therefore pleasing. ? Spence and party—Mr Netherwood's old river claim—got some good gold earlv last week. I have not ascertained the quantity, but three or four ounces per man nras obtained in a few days. The whole party came down to the Point on Saturday last for new pumps, and then hastened back. The Terrace party—Davy and Co.—which gained the disputed ground case, have driven through washdirt that will pay £1 per day per man, and left it there, being determined to reach the deep ground in the terrace where the previous party, Jones and company obtained their large pieces of gold. For this purpose they have to blast away the reef at the mouth of their tunnel for drainage purposes, and which will be finished in a few days, when they will ascertain if their "]>iles" lie in that direction ; and if not they will work the ground previously mentioned. Some excellent accounts reach here from the other side of the river concerning a river claim being worked by M'Lean and party, but as I am not in possession of full particulars I will leave it till my next. _ ? Mr Truman, who won the case in the Warden's Court (reported in another' column) has secured for himself the whole of the Stony ('reek Race. He has taken out miners' rights, and intends at once to put on six men to bring in the water. I am informed this valuable race has already cost £I4OO at the current rate of wages. Some six months' work remains yet to be done before the water can be brought in. The Wire-rope Sluicing Company, which hrd lately fixed their hose across to German Hill and the water turned on, have been delayed a little. Just as the water in the hose had reached the opposite side of the river one of the 6trands of the rope broke, and consequently stopped the works. The manager, Mr Spratt, informs me that the rope severed at a joint which ought not to have been there, as strict orders were given that each of the wires was to be in one length. They will only be hindered for a week, however, as three-qnarter inch wire rope has been obtained in Quetn>town. This party, also, will be getting gold from the proved terrace, German Hill, long before Christmas.

The last news I have, and the most welcome to horsemen, is contained in the fact that the new track is at last opened for traffic right through from M 4 Arthur's to Maori Poiut; so that equestrians may now have a glorious and uninterrupted ride amidst mountain scenery and along a well formed road from Queenstowu to that, until now, almost inaccessible Maori Point settlement known as Charlestown.

The times of arrival and departure of the eseort have been altered in order, it is said, to prevent Sunday travelling. The 'Provincial Gazette' notifies that the main escort leaves Dunedin every alternate Monday, commencing on the sth inst, meeting the various branch escorts, and ar-

riving at Queenstown the following Saturday. On the down trip the main escort will leave Queenstown every alternate Monday, commencing on the 12th inst. (Monday next) passing through the Arrow, Cromwell, Dunstan and so on, again meeting the branch escorts and arriving at Dunedin on the following Friday. We regret to observe the following notice in the' Molyneux Mail' of the death of one who was much respected, and well known in this district in the heyday of its existence, in connection with Rowley's Express" Mr Curie, formerly news agent at Dunstan and Hill's Creek, died suddenly a few days ago. It appeare that the unfortunate man caught a severe cold, which being neglected, has terminated fatally. An inquest was appointed to be held yesterday at Hill's Creek, but we have not yet received a report of the proceedings." In the Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday the cases were Webster v. Wells—£lo 18s. No appearance. Jenkins v. Johnston—£lo 10s. No appearance. M'Gregor v. Pearce—£3 10s. Verdict for plaintiff; £2 16s and costs. Rice v. Mulloy—£6 4s. Case dismissed.

An advertisement in another column informs the public that the Masons of the Lake Lodge of Ophir intend holding a Ball on the 12th proximo. It is being got up on an extensive scale, and under able management The arrangements, we understand, are very complete, and the ball promises to be one of the greatest successes of the kind ever held in Queenstown. The original quartz reef party at Skipper's have struck a very clearly defined and rich reef, which they are sanguine about. Four reefs, not one of which—under the rudest test and crushed by hand and water machinery—has failed to yield less than 3 ozs to the ton, are now known in this celebrated gully. The meeting of the Wakatip Hospital which was to have taken place on Saturday, lapsed for want of a quorum.