The Croydon Goldfields. FEARS OF A WATER FAMINE.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 234, 24 December 1887, Page 3

The Croydon Goldfields. FEARS OF A WATER FAMINE.

A late despatch from Croydon goldfield sftya:- "The lafcestrcrushings at Croydon

are as follows :— -Eureka, P.C., 60 tons, 153 ozs. ; Eureka, No. 1 south, 30 tons, 53 ozs. The weather is very hot, and the who? country almost in a waterless condition. Owing to the general drought, carriage from Normanton has gone up to over £30 per ton. Water for cattle and horses has almost disappeared, and that for domestic purposes has become co scarce that it u now sold at 4s the cask and 6d a bucket. Should the expected bn aking up of the weather nob come s>ouu, p\ne iears are entertained of a water famine. Owin« to tho lise in the price of carriage, Hour has gone up to £55 per ton. The want of water has hung up nearly all the machines, and tin own a large number of men out of employment. The outlook for tho coming hot season id anything: but a bright one, and I have not the slightest doubt but actual want and severe privation will be the lot of a good many. It is sheer madness for working men to come here just now, as the place is suitable for the capitalist only. The Bobby Dazzler mine has now about 1,000 tons of stone at) grass, estimated to go about Boz. to the ton."