THE SHOTOVER.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 30, 15 January 1864, Page 3

THE SHOTOVER.

(From the Correspondent of Wakatijp Jlail.) Big Bt-ach, Jan. 8. The stormy unsettled weather of the past two days has had, I am happy to s;iy. no ill effect on mining operatives, ihe rivsr having risen about one foot o'ilv, and most devoutly do we wish ilmt a couple of month's fine weather will be i vouchsafed, to enable us lo recover ;i little from ihe effects of the last floods. Mining on this beach is vigorously prosecuted. The gap made by the floods in the dnm is repaired, and in a most substantial manner — such a flood as the last will have no effect upon it — and men, in spite of ihe partial depression that reigns, are again indulging in hopes of the future. The construction of the tail-race at present occupies their undivided attention, and should the weather continue favorable, it will be finished next week. I can perceive no diminution in the number employed here, although the last flood drove many away, but their places were supplied by fresh arrivals, so that our population keeps up to its old mark, say 150 for the Beach. A meeting of ihe Arthur's Point Racing Committee was held at Mr Grimes' tlotel, on Wednesday evoning last. Mr Mirfm having been ca'led to the chair, opened the meeting by stating that it was called for the purpose of taking into consideration the best measures to be adopted to get up a day or two's racing at Arthur's Point, and also to enable the deputation that waited on the Wakatip Jockey Club to give an account of what had occurred on that occasion. Mr Gillespie, Secretary of the Committee, stated that they had been received most courteously by theQueenstown Committee, who, however, had declined to accede to their offer ; he therefore conceived "thai their only course was to call a meeting to decide when the Arthur's Point Races should take place. Moved by Mr Robinson, and seconded hy Mr F^x— «' That as it is desirable a few days' racing should take place during the season on Arthur's Point, a public meeting be called on Monday evening, the 11th uist., at Mr Robinson's hotel, for the promotion of that purpose." Carried. Moved by Mr Fox, and seconded by Mr Grimes—" That a note be addressed to the Chairman of the Wakatip Jockey Club, thanking them for the courtesy shown 'the deputation, and notifying that the Arthur's Point Races will be deferred until after the Kawarau meetiu"-." Carried. ° After a few desultory remarks, the Chairman declared the meeting ended. The flood-race at Arthur's Point is rapidly approaching completion; the United Beach, or lower Company have all their crates, excepting about eighty fee! 5 -« ed ? and P artiv tilJed J theh " principal difficulty at present is in getting a sufficient quantity of heavy ballast to till in with. A month or five weeks will finish them, and much credit is due to bo-'h companies for the skill and -perseverance diswork 1U Catryin S trough ihis great I am sony to have to state that the tunnel in ihe Gorge is a failure. After driving eighty feet, two shafts were bottomed, both of them duffers.