THE SHOTOVER.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 19, 21 December 1863, Page 3

THE SHOTOVER.

(From tho correspondent of the tt'akatip Ifail.) Big Beach, Dee. 15th. I scarcely remember ever having had a more painful duty to perform than the one at present before me, viz., to report upon the events of the past week. During the preceding two months, we have been blessed with the most favorable weather, nnd mining operations were pressed forward with the utmost vigor, that promised a speedy solution to the question touching the richness of the river bed. Men's faces wore a jubilant aspect, and appearances justified us in anticipating that a merry and prosperous Christmas was at hand ; but, alas for the hopes and anticipations so constantly indulged in by poor humanity, thc-y are seldom or over realised, iinc-1 this iimancu is no exception to the general rule. All who were awake early on Friday imrnin£, will remember how hot aud oppressive was the atmosphere. At about seven o'clock a.m., it commenced raining slightly, which soon increased to a heavy shower. OutsiJo. nature wore a most uninviting uspect ; hcivy clouds clothed the surrounding mountains to their xory basis, the sky was of a dull leaden color, and the downfall of rain distressing to contemplate. This state of tilings was reflected in the faces of all you met. for the miners saw plainly that another flood was pending. All dny long the downfall con tinned, anrl the river steadily ro>o ; at ab.mt seven p.m. tho dam on this b'.-ieh s?.vo war, and the angry toirent soon made lerel -svork of the unfortunate tail-race and the paddocks that the miners were at work in, and a good deal of the wa>«h-dirt was lost. The river rose about five fcot above its usual level, and from the quantity of cia'.es and material that were swept down, we anticipate disastrous intelligence from the I'pper Shotover. Out anticipations were in a great measure fulfilled. From the Sandhills to Maori Point more or less damage has been done. At lower Butcher's Point, one dam, belonging to some North of Ireland men, has withstood the flood ; but I hear the work they had put in was most superior ; all the other parties, however, suffered severely. I hear Maori Point is a complete wreck, everything again levelled, work has been thrown back at least one month. Stapleton's Beach has rather benefitted than otherwise, thu flood having washed away the point of a hill, which will enable them to so enlarge thuir flood-race that it will carry the whole of the river for the future. Arthur's Point escaped nearly scot free, the workings there not being sufficiently advanced to sustain much damage. Destructive as the flood lias been, it has not quite discouraged us ; some few have seceded, but all who have payable ground are determined to see it through. Repairing damages is again the order of the day. Private enterprise in this district compares most favorably with the energy that should be displayed by the Government in constructing works of public utility. The bridge thrown across the gorjje of the river between Arthur's Point and. liig beach, by Messrs Ryan and Bond, reflects the highest credit on their skill. It is a most substantial structure, far above the reach of any floods, and sufficiently stiong to bear the weight of a dozen pack horses. Whispeis are flying about here ti tha effect that the Government wish to purchase it. I presume that in anticipation of the Superintendent's visiting the Lake District, that act of grace is meant us a sop in the pan to conciliate the miners. We are not however, to be so easily turned aside from the policy we have adopted. Maori Point, 14th December. Before the heavy rains of Friday last, with its inevitable consequence — a flood — visitors to Maori Point would have been astonisned to find the change that had come over this place. Hundreds of men were, busily engaged in working the rich ground that had become exposed by the successful turning of the Shotover, and the results were, in some instances, surprising. It is much to be regretted that such an unfortunate visitation has changed this favorable aspect of affairs. For the present, thing 3 are comparatively a t a standstill ; and sosie time must undoubtedly elapse before we are once wore in the position we were. Pegs and boundaries are again confused, and we must expect in some degree a recuirence of those difficulties which presented themselves in denning the boundaries or the various claims from the previous floods, which washed away not only the pegs, but the mining surveyor's beach marks. I understand that a party has obtained L6f> pounds weight of gold from a terrace opposite Dead Man's Point, Upper Sandhills; but this again has changed to 200 ounces per man for six weeks' work. Upon Maori Point, in Sullivan's, Scott's, Dolan's, and Miller's claims, pannikins of gold were the order of the day, and the Maories' claim still kept up its old repute. A really well defined quartz reef has been discovered at the head of the right hand branch of Skipper's Creek, and. a prospecting claim has been granted to Samuel Jones and party (4). It has been traced for about, half a mile, and is very rich. The prospectors stated that 14 dwts per m;m per uay was ob-

<>iiWwwiwiwigiiiwwmHm'JM.'iiuiMPi|A-^»u«> I ' .'■■■n»—"» ■ tamed by pulverising tire quartz in a bap by means of stones. Should this discovery prove, as it promises to be, a bona fide affair, a new impetus will be given to this flourishing and highly auiiferous locality.