MAEREWHENUA.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 184, 13 September 1872, Page 3

MAEREWHENUA.

(From, our own Correspondent.)

. Since my last communication we have had a visit from a party of experienced miners from the Kyeburn, who have been, engaged in viewing the country with the intention, I believe, of bringing in another water race to these-diggings. This party visited the different claims and prospected various localities with the view of satisfying themselves of the auriferous character or otherwise of the country generally. So far as I have been able to discover, the result of these prospects have been highly satisfactory, and an opinion was expressed that were there a plentiful supply of water this field would be second to none in the Province—perhaps in New Zealand. The greater part of the claims are being busily worked at present, and I expect- that between this time and Christmas a good amount of gold will he obtained, the weather be in any degree favorable.*. The party on the west side ef the Maerewhenua will, it is expected, wash up in about three weeks. The water is fast falling short, and unless there be rain shortly, the supply will- become extremely scarce; The ' track between this place and the Hogburn is becoming once more passable. It is a most fortunate circumstance that the track was made, otherwise I feel sure, that severe if not fatal accidents would have occurred this winter, so slippery are the steep sidlings in frosty weather. I hear that only very lately a traveller had his horse fall and slide down some twenty or more feet, fortunately without any ill result, though death m more shapes than one was actually staring him in

the- face.. .Your . c.or respondent. has been subjected to ino end of i abuse"for having had the audacity to expressman, opinion that the gradients were; too steep, the culverts imperfect, and a few additional drains necessary. Notwithstanding, however, yo>ur correspoindent's abuse, I still adbere to ihe opinions I expressed, and maintain that they were and are substantially correct. I can only - opine that-he spoke or wrote from hearsay : —not from personal knowledge, as I did. The township is looking up, and from what can . be- judged from ;:the skeleton of the new hotel, it.promises to be a well constructed and commo- r dious building. The proprietor- stands well in public estimation, and I prophecy for, as well as wish, him a successful career. Fault, I observe, is found with me for having stated .my opinion that the erection of this hotel was premature; I said so because I thought so, aud shall be only too happy to find that my impression was an in-, correct one. .

There <are five carpenters engaged-in the enlargement of the Commercial Hotel, and when completed this house will possess a large amount of accommodation. y] ' ■

Mr. Cooper, of Nasebv, has nearly got his stone, house up,, which, bids fair to be the best in the place. He has an acre of ground fenced in and planted with a variety of trees and shrubs. Mr Cooper's, energy and enterprise exhibit an example worthy of imitation. ~ ; I haye more than once told you, that all this field requires for its development is a much larger water supply, and that, unless the main races are completed, the whole field will faUintq the hands of a few miners, who will only be able to work the few months in the year in which water is plentiful. Were, the Government wise, they would at once cause a report to be made as to; the payable nature and prospects of this field, and what the cost of completing the works already initiated would be likely to be. "Were these races completed, not only would there be employment for hundreds, but a large amount of wealth would necessarily accrue ta.the district the Provinee ; , and> the country generally. The Mosquito-race-is in at last, but I am unable; to state :the number of heads r of water, it; J suj#)}ies, ftfxnp asserting, two a,nd other? five, G-overn-ment heads to be the quantity, perhaps an amount between the two might be near the mark, but knowing nothing for certain, I forbear to express any opinion. Botting is taking water from this company and his claim-is, I hear, still keeping- up its former good reputation with regard to gold yield.