ST. BATHANS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 164, 26 April 1872, Page 3

ST. BATHANS.

April 14. The Messrs. Halley have organised a company for the construction of the new water race, and intend to commence operations in a few days. This company is to be called "The Otago Gold Mining. Water Race Company (limited)." lam informed that it consists of twelve shares, in the hands of ten shareholders. The shareholders are all known to be men of experience and perseverence in mining industry ; and although the proposed line of race is, according to Mr. Barron's survey, over thirty miles in length, they are -sanguine of success, and intend completing the work in little over twelve months from the present time, providing the winter turns out fine. About twelve heads is the quantity of water which the party have applied for, all of which they intend using on their own ground; but, instead of doing so, were they to rent that quantity.it would be all needed by the public, in addition to that now being used, for many years to come. Some time ago men thought they would be losing gold if they were to use more than a single head of water on their claim, but they gradually awoke to the fallacy of that opinion, a"nd to the additional valuable knowledge that two heads of water-working together will send away more dirt than three heads having au equal fall will do working singly. It is for this reason that, with a diminished population, there is now a better demand for water and more of it "used than there was five years ago ; and it is for the same reason that miners are now. rushingground in acres and tens of acres as of great value, that would not be looked at a few years ago, and will doubtless cause the profitable working, twenty years hence, of countless acres more not thought of at present. The race then, when it comes in, while having a strong tendency to keep up and even increaseour population, will have none whatever to depreciate the value of. preexisting water property. The Bunstau, St. Bathans,and Ma\vkdun ranges are covered with snow, which fell'on Friday night, and all the races are now. delivering a large increase of water.

The crossing at Muddy ? Creek had lately'be» but on the proroige.of £5 from the Government, the progress Committee raised other £5 and repaired it. Mr. M'Phail, of Hawkdun Station, kindly contributed tbn>e days' work of a horse and dray towards this very essential improvement •-