MAEREWHENUA.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 171, 14 June 1872, Page 6

MAEREWHENUA.

(From our own Correspondent.) \ June 6. The usual sitting of the Warden's C .>urt took place to-day, when a large amount of mining matters were dealt wi;h, the Warden's practical acquaintance with mining matters naturally assisting the progress of business.

Rumor has it that a.township will shortly he surveyed and sold here. A great difference of opinion exists as to the proper and legitimate site for this township. I have my own opinion ; still, as I am, as you are aware, .an interested party, I think it wiser, in your interest, to refrain at the present time from expressing that opinion. I may, however, say this, that the more central the site of the new township the better, and if one could be ■ found which would require neither prospective alteration or removal, so much the better. Humor has it that the site of the present township.is auriferous and must, in the future course cf events, be worked. I am inclined to this opinion, and 1 Jeel also that the position, should it not be auriferous, is an exposed one, and, if auriferous, one that would not be required, at all events, during the present generation, seeing the large extent of golden ground in the neighborhood. "When last I wrote to you there was a plentiful supply of water. The supply, however, passed away almost as quickly and unexpectedly as it came— : a temporary flood with temporary results, and nothing more. Those, however, who were in a position to take advantage of the opportunity took out a good deal of gold—proving, I think, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that were the water supply constant rather than spasmodic, as it has hitherto been, this field would prove second to none in Ot?go, and perhaps in New Zealand. I have no doubt that the really valuable opportunities which this field offers will, ere a few mouths pass, bring botk-mrn and capital into the field. They will find it to their advantage. Many miners from the Kyeburn have been over here, who, after having opened out ground and taken out prospects, declare that they are satisfied with the prospects and that all the district requires is water. Efforts, and good efforts, will, however, be made in this direction and, I fear not, with satisfactory results.

There is some talk of a store being erected and conducted here, on' a large scale, and I feel surprised that some of your .Naseby men, well known to the miners, should have allowed themselves to be forestalled by outsiders. Is aseby capital would assist.very much in developing this district, doing good alike to it and themselves. Go in boys, cut your races, and reap a golden harvest, is the advice I offer you. I fancy that Mount Ida is much indebted to the assistance of the storekeepers for the supply of water she at present "possesses. Our enterprising. Mr. George Taylor is always to be found where a chance is to be had, and has been

a. real benefactor to the place. I trust that all his speculations out remuneratively, for deserves, that, it should be so. ire bought a share in Collins' claim for £6O, and if all tliafcis.said be true, he is the man who is erecting the large store of .which I spoke above. If Mr. Taylor be successful in his present enterprises, he will in a short time become the, miuing king of Maerewhenua.

The'track between this place and the Mogburn I look upon as a good job, though I cannot fail to see,, now that it is completed,- that in some places the gradients are too steep, the culverts imperfect, and a fcw additional drains absolutely necessary. With the.small exceptions to which I have alluded, the track-is well spoken of by those who. know and have used it.

I ani glad to see the Government has decided to have the road between Harris' Hotel and the Maerewhenua Disr"in<*s put in a fit and prop»r .state of repair. Three miles of this track has been untratraversable even for waggons, and much trouble and inconvenience has been-the result to carriers and others, particularly in wet weather. Tins looks like a step in the right direction, and as, though the Government were becoming alive,alike to their own interest and the interest of the Maerewhenua district. Mr. Sumpter, our member, is deservedly popular, and the efforts he has made on behalf of the Maerewhenua Diggings are thoroughly appreciated.

There is, I hear, so:ne prospect of a bridge for pack horsc» made across the west, li;-anch of I lie Maerewhenua L'iver—a work much needed, as in time of flood the crossing is impassable, thus keeping people from obtaining the. actual ncc -ssanes of life.

Another matter which deserves the attention'of the Government is the reservation of aright for mining purposes through the block of land lately granted as an endowment of 2000 acres for the Oaniaru Hospital. Without such a reservation a grant of this description becomes a public nuisance. This is a matter which should be looked not. only after but into. Seeing that the ground set apart for this endowment is doub.-Jessly of an auriferous nature, it might be well to shift the reserve to another locality, otherwise existing water rights from the Otekaike will be seriously affected.

Warden's Court. (Before 11. \V. Robinson, Esq , Warden.) The Warden attended as usual, but there were no eases. The following applications were granted: —Cooper and Smith, water race and extended claim ;...J. Clements, water race ; J. Craig and Others, water race; J. Prater, water race ; 11. dotting, water race; J. Ni-o and oi.hers, dam and : .extension of

water race, also an extended claim; J. Clements and others, tail race; Thps. Cooper, tail race; H. Howe and others, water race and enlargement of another water race ; M* Andrew and another, extended claim/water race, and tail race.

The .following applications were withdrawn :—J. Craig- and others, water race and tail race; Kowe 'and another, water race ; J. Nimo and others, dam ; J: Christopher, water race. .

The following applications were refused:— C. O'Donneli; water race, tail race, and extended claim.

The business' of the Court, although there were no*eases, was very lengthy.