THE ARROW.

Southland Times, 2 March 1864, Page 2

THE ARROW.

(from thk correspondent op the "wakatip MAiii.") ; February 26, 1864. Heavy rain Las fallen here for the hist twelve hours almost continuously, and although the river has not yet risen perceptibly, fears are entertained by desponding individuals that yet another flood will ensue. The owners of some few river claims have already cleared out the sand and debris washed into their paddocks by the late lising of the waters, and have got into working order again. The first claim up the river commenced piling up their washdirt yesterday, and from a few dishes taken therefrom obtained one pound weight of gold, just as a commenctment. In many other claims, however, there still remains a great amount of unproductive labour to be got through, essentially requiring a continuance of fine weather. Affairs on the Twslve-Mile digging.? are looking up, mining speculators being generally in a, prospei'ous condition'; many miners are steadily earning very good wages, it having been estimated that the claims yield from L7 to LlO per man per week, but this calculation would only refer I believe to the earnings of the various sluicing companies. Nearly all the sluicing operations there have been successful, and shares in many of the claims cannot be obtained for less than LI 20. On the other hand, many of the. river claims, have not yet proved particularly remunerative, to the holders, many still averring that they barely earn tucker. One good result • arising from the recent, small rush to the Cardrona has been the revival of trade to a certain extent on the \ Arrow. :.; the township does not look so utterly deserted as it did*for some time previously, and the old familiar sight of strings of well-laden pack-horses clearing out from the different stores maybe now occasionally, seen in our' streets. Although, probably, the traders who gain any advantage therefrom are very few in number, and the renewed trade only of a tonrporai'y nature, it is yet a satisfaction to know that some additional business is being carried on in this township. Latest intelligence from the Cardrona ; does 'ribt'i-eW late any striking discoveries in that direction' ; in! fact, the many dfhtradictory rumours in circulation have :lead to the supposition that 'the actual attrac- : tions of that locality have been just a lj-fcl(\ overrated. Without wishing to damp the ardour of any enthusiastic individual, miner, or otherwise, who may have decided on wending his way thither," I" would remark' that it is now tolerably well known that the most encouraging /reports as to the new discovery of gold~on the Cardrona Flat have emanated from parties directly interested in gathcringa crowd around them. ' - : ' .■■"-' The last flood completely fille'dt: up the main tail race in the course of construction onvthe Flat, and has caused considerable^ delay throughout the Avofit-" ings on the creek. ->i.'i-. ■--.-: .=:.■:.;•; .:. > i; :.\y;':r;'^< At the Kawarau, near the Roaring Meg junction, the superintendent of the road works had a /.very' narrow escape from drowning a few days ago, in ! crossing the river in a small canoe, accompanied by : another man' ; the force of the, current .rendered the vessel unmanageable, and despite their strenuous^ "efforts to steer her , properly the; frail craft rapidly down the "stream for some distance, and eventually* capsized on a* projecting point of rock near the river bank, to :whicli the two men fortunately clung until assistance was rendered them. -; ; \> < On Wednesday last, a German known as Harry, who had been hanging about this township for some time past, was charged at the Police Court with "using threatening language to" various parties working in Hazle,,Toins, and Company's , claim; von the Arrow, t He;had -been .noted for, some time past-for various eccentricities^; leading ; to the opinion that he ;was a harmless lunatic, and as he was disinclined or ; iinable;to .work at .any steady employment, he had teen keptjby the company to perform StriflingtasksJ for them. . ; .On Wednesday last, he suddenly expresssd a determination to , tomahawk the whole "party, and became so "violent' that he was handed ovei to the care of the police • whilst in court he again expressed aldeaire to ( ' tomahawk somebody^" and was: bound over io." keep the "peace for 'six^ months; no sureties being forthcoming he was locked up, ancl still remains in,, confinement.^, He'.

is supposed to have escaped some time since from confinement in Dunedin. ( , i 0 , ..', V , The new concert room recently opened, at the fttejv Orleans Hotel proves a. decided success. A performance lakes place nightly, and as the admission is free, it is generally well attended ; the stage arrangements are tasteful and commodious, and the principal attraction at present is the Ethiopian entertainment of " Our Own Minstrels.'* Messrs Porter and Fisher's well-known talents, both as instrumentalists and vocalists, always win untiring applause, and the comic business th,ey introduce .is , oftentimes intensely funny.. The impersonation -.of a "spry nigger belle," who appears in full costume, and dances w,ith.._bAth graces and vigour, never „ fails to "bring down" the house," and" cause the most used-up individuals to yield to hearty laughter.