THE ARROW.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 79, 7 August 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE ARROW.

(From the Wahatip Mail, 25 ih July.) • Mining intelligence from up the river is almost confined to the attempts of some parties to remedy the disasters of the flood , and to the giving up of their claims by others from want of means to carry on the work. Very little gold has been obtained during the week, and it must he some time before we get even average returns. The track up the river is still impassable, except by wading. Should there be another fall of snow, the circuit over the hills will be out of the question, and communication, beyond a mile or two, will be hardly kept up. The Hit or Miss Company are about to Uwn. the river again. They have commenced cutting the race, and hope soon (o be in a position to rebuild their dam, and go to work again in the old channel The protection granted to the Arrow Sluicing Company for their race from Bush Creek, along the terrace at the back of the township, having expired, work was resumed on Thursday ; and it is said to be their intention to carry the water by zino flumes round the projecting rock above the Flat. In the "Warden's Court, on Saturday, Mr Blanche, on behalf of the Sluicing Company, who are bringing in the large water-race from the creek on the roule to Arthur's Point, asked the Commissioner the reason why protection for so extended a period had been granted to the Arrow Company. He stated that their work was a mere speculation to dispose of shares in Dunedin ; and that, understanding it would not be proceeded with, the party he represented had, at a great expense, constructed their race for (he purpose of sluicing the terraces. The Commissioner declined to sfate why probation had been given and extended so far, and could not notice any such irregular form of complaint. Mr Blanche, if he considered himself aggrieved, had Ills remely by c"tin# Mr Mabel, the repvesentativeof the Arrow Sluicing Company, before the Court, and there preferring his objection to their proceedings. The Germans who obtained the first prospect on the Flat, are about next week to sink a shaft on the upper terrace above the township They expect very deep sinking, and are making preparations accordingly. The state of the roid between this and the Shotover is so bad that the coach seldom runs except on escort and mail day, when the tontracts render it necessary. 'Ihe 80-cali'd bridge over 'he creek at the south end of Hayes* Lake, is under water, and in a most dangerous condition. Unless some- J thing is done, we shall soon be dependent on packhorses for our communication w t l i Queenstown ; and even thefe long-sult'er-ing animals will not easily carry heavy loads with safety along the slippery sidelings and through the deep quagmires of this complete specimen of a Government contract. The Court sat here on Saturday for th first time for a fortnight, during which period we have been entirely without a Commissioner or Magistrate. The inconvenience and loss of time and money to Individuals entailed by this state of things, is fast becoming serious, and causes an expression of public feeling very inimical to the Government. There seems no immediate prospect of Mr Aylmer's arrival, and in the meantime all the business of this important district, with its 2GOO inhabitants, is left to the chnnce of Mr Beetbam being able to leave his own onerous duties at Queenstown and favor us with an occasional flying visit. The next Court-clay is fixed for Saturday ; but that must he wind, weather, and* other circumstances permitting. July. 20, 1563.— 5n0w h.is fallen during the night, and lies now a foot deep on the Flat. July 23, IS63.— The Arrow river hi* gone down sufficiently to admit of work being generally resumed, and consequently a fair quantity of gold has come in during the last two days. Interest in mining matters is pretty well absorbed by the public movement for effecting the drainage of the flat. You -a-ill receive a full report of the truly monster meeting meeting on the subject; the committee then appointed have commenced thenlabors, biving held tlieir first sitting last night ; they meet again to-morrow, when in all probability orders will be given for co-umencing the works; of course :heir proceedings are with closed doors, but it is generally understood that a system of drainage by water power has been decided upon. The Hit or Miss company have opened their new flood race, and are about commencing the dam, so that we shall soon see them in ] os^ession of their old ground again, and it is to be hoped working it to advantage. Gordon's party have nearh completed their wheel, and are only delayed now by the necessity of repairing their water-race, injured by ihe last flood. Hogan's and the adjacent claims are clear of water ngain, the wall dam being complete, and the river confined to his own narrow channel. The deputation from the Arrow district on fhe subject of bridal tracks and agricultural leases, had fin interview with the Superintendent on the 15th instant; they were introduced by Ciptain Baldwin, M.L.A. His Honor pledged himself to send instructions to the Surveyor, with regard to the bridle track to the Twelvemile Creek and its branches to ihe various points of importance. If the report should be favorable c.s to the possibility of their construction without extravagant expense, he would order them to be proceeded with at once. With regard to a dray road to the Dunstan, as none of the gentlemen present were prepared with anything like an estimate of the cost, His Honor said he could not promise at present, bnt would reserve the matter for further consideration. The regulations for agricultural leases at Tuapekn, His Honor stated could not be applied to ihe Arrow district, without an Act of Council. He would, however, take care that the subject was brought under consideration at their first meeting His Honor, in conclusion, expiessed himself much pleased at the mauner in which these subjects had been brought before him, and assured the deputation of his heartfelt interest in the wellbeing of the district. Captain Baldwin most cordially supported the prayer of the memorial, and impressed upon the gentlemen of the deputation his desire to give every assistance in his power to carry out their views, and to advance the prosperity of the mining districts. July 21, 5 p.m. — A body has been found this morning at the junction of the Kawarau and Arrow. It has not yet been brought in for identification, but a party of fifteen men have gone for the purpose. A serious accident occurred last afternoon in one of the tunnel claims a short distance up the river. The earth fell in and buried two men. Up to this time one of them has not been dug out. The last report says he is alive, but the injuries he may h.ive received have not trnn.-ru-ed.