TOKOMAIRIRO. NOTES BY A MINING REPORTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 47, 9 January 1862, Page 2

TOKOMAIRIRO. NOTES BY A MINING REPORTER.

Jan. 7,1802. Of " moving accidents by flood," I regret I have to inform you this time. The weather, which for a couple of weeks had been retarding- raining operations on the river, " burst up" last Saturday night with a vengeance, and "the oldest inhabitant." if that mythical indivividual has a location in our neighbourhood, will bear me out in stating that so great a body of water has seldom beeu seen during the mo3t inclement portion of the winter, between the banks of the Tokomairiro, as that which came down with such devastating effect on Sunday morning. The river began to rise above its ordinary flood height about 7 a.m., and in less than half an hour it was bank high, and roaring like " Old Ocean" in his wildest mood; Californian pumps, sluice boxes, and all kinds of mining implements, were running away at the rate of 8 or 9 knots; the two water wheels situate in the river bed were removed with considerable difficulty, though not till one of them had received almost irreparable damage, and the races on both sides of the stream were so far destroyed as to necessitate, the construction of almost entirely new ones in all instances. The claims were entirely iuundated, and when the flood began to subside about 2 or 3 p.m., all the old workings were choked up with the accumulated debris of weeks of labor. A great deal of loss has been entailed on the miners, and damage done that cannot be made goodwithouteonsiderable expenditure of time and capital. The river was at least six feet above the general flood point. However, energy, perseverance, and the certainty of bsing remunerated eventually, have exercised their wonted influence, and now everyone is busy repairing losses and preparing for the summer campaign. It is to be hoped that we shall yet get a blink of " cloudless skies/ else I fear your Otagonian clime will not find much favour amongst Australia-Felicians, and indeed to the working miner here, a hot "nor'-easter" would be preferable to the continual "down-pour" that cripples his capital and limits his industry. It anything could impress on the Provincial Government the' necessity of at once granting larger claims to the miners, particularly those engaged in river workings, the injury the late bad weather has done would be the most pertinent"; for if men believed that the antiquatedly absurd 24 feet claims was all the ground that could he held in this place by one man, there would not have been anything like the population settled down, nor would they have invested much capital in the pursuit of the "yellow got-." Stewart's parly and others are building an overshot water-wheel, 0 feet 0 inches in diameter, and when it is fnirly in harness, we shall have three of them at work on the river.' The race which I spoke of in my last communication, is intended to supply the wheel, as well as to convey water for sluicing to the claims. It is an arduous undertaking for the poor miners, and I am sorry to say that the flood did not leave it scatheless. The harm done was fortunately not of great moment, and it is progressing with rapidity to completion. One little obstacle to harmonious arrangement has developed itself in reference to this race—that is. that a Mr. Murray complains it is on his private property. Be this as it may, it is also certain that a Government reserve exists along the 1 river, and whether it ceases where Mr. Murray's pro, 1 pcriy impinges on the stream, is a question which the Government Survey Office can casilv decide. The race commences on the main branch of the Tokomairiro, and follows the sinuosities of the river to its destination. Beyond complaining of pecuniary loss owing to the ground being torn up, he has not made further interference with the men; and though at first he was requesting that a deposit should be given as aguarautee that the race would be filled in when no longer required, ho now has foregone that idea, and. says the Government will have to compensate him for any loss he has suffered. We are fast .getting round us all the essentials of a civilised people; we have.a bakery, three stores, and a public house ; but our supply of butchers' meat is very irregular, and the sight of a bit of beef a view unknown. Some enterprising man wilL no doubt attend to our wants in this way. The road—and the shortest one, too—for foot passengers runs through our diggings : and during the last week and this one, some hundreds have passed by, bound for the more_ renowned regions of " Gabriel's," " Wetherston's," or " Waitahuna." As continuous stream is also seen on their backward route, and it has often surprised me that they have not tried their hand on the river, or in some of the numerous gullies that furrow and divide the mountains. I know that a good living is a certainty here, and I can also vouch that the industrious, fru-

gal man makes fair wages—from £3 a week upwards. To place oneself in this position does not require a great expenditure—£lo would cover it all among a party of four—and I think it would bo realized by three parties out of five. There is plenty of auriferous ground in the Hundreds, as yet Crown Laud. And now, to leave mundane matters behind, and look to the most important business of life—the preservation of souls. Wo were visited by a rev. gentleman last Sunday—a Presbyterian clergyman—who, nothing fearing the angry waters, forded the river, and delivered an edifying sermon to the tented people round about. His congregation was grouped on both sides of the water, and seemed very attentive to the subject on which he dilated. A few pious females also were aiiTOngst the auditors, and there was something very impressive in the circumstances connected with the service, and the furious river rushing to the great sea, like man from time to eternity ; the tall mountains looking above the clouds, as if directing our aspirations from the earth beneath to the heavens on high; our Church, the great fane of nature, nnd our altar the green sward. It is time the Catholics were manifesting their usual zeal, as a good many of that persuasion are settling down here. No doubt though but that the pastors of that faith will not forget the spiritual wants of the too often neglected miner.