LAKE WAKATIP DISTRICT.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 45, 29 December 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

LAKE WAKATIP DISTRICT.

The "Mail" says : — "The progress of the district was for a day or two threatened by a rush to a gold-field known as the Grey, in the neighboring Province of Canterbury. The effect was, however, temporary, and though a few of our successful miners went that way, they have not generally parted with their interests, but put on wages men to represent and work their shares in their several claims. Under these circumstances the apprehensions of the timid have died away, and we are happy in being able to announce that we have increased materially in permanent progress. Our crops, whether of the soil, of gold, or of wool, are either very promising or have answered and satisfied expectations. Without a single acre of agricultural land sold, there are yet some 2000 acres tinder crop in the district, and the various farms and market gardens are gladdening the hearts of their cultivators. A flour mill has already been ordered from Europe, and this feature is far more satisfactory than dilating upon crops of gold alone. As regards this precious metal our production of it seems satisfactory, and the mining interest collectively is in a more satisfactory position than ever it was before in this district. The large water-race companies are busy at work, and are proving remunerative to their proprietors for the many months they have taken to construct, and the immense capital invested. Shares are already valuable, and will increase in value. Extensive river workings are again in operation ; quartz reefing is an established feature, and altogether the unhealthy flush of a first rush has died away, and capital and permanent works exist in the place of casual and desultory efforts. Sheep shearing is briskly progressing on the stations, and W. G. Rees, Es., our sheep farmer par excellence in every sense of the word, speaks most satisfactorily of the wool crop. These are the assurances upon which we remark that we have increased naturally iu permanent progress. A district possessing so many elements of success must eventually become a grand, and we hope a happy one also." Accounts from the Arrow district are very satisfactory ; the late escort took down 957 ozs , exclusive of the Cardrona returns, which usually go to the Dunstan, and may probably be set down at 200 ozs. Some claims at the Twelve-Mile are paying as much as L40 a week ; and on the Arrow River, not far from the township, we hear of L14 and L10 as last week's dividend. The quartz miners, 400 or 500 yards from the township, are steadily going on with their work sinking a shaft. A good deal of blasting is required, and the progress necessarily slow. The stone "brought to gras«j" is a 'very superior quality, and proves clearly and without reasonable doubt the value of the reef. — Ibid.