BLUE SPUR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 66, 15 May 1869, Page 3

BLUE SPUR.

(From our Own CorrespoiOcLent).

Although this is the oldest goldfield opened up in Otago, and the most successful, yet we appear to be only in the beginning of our days. Among the practical miners themselves there is an amount of confidence with regard to the future which is quite refreshing when compared with other portions of our. goldfield s ; and whether as regards claims or business, if one is disposed to sell, there are several buyers. Some little time ago, there were two townships — one in Gabriels, and the other tho new and rival township on the Spur, where the school and other' public buildings are ; and like many other townships where the honours and trade are divided, a good deal of jealousy existed between them. Now, ! however, the force of circumstances has forced the business portion of the gully to accept a higher elevation, where they can see the sun in his strength and the moon walking in her brightness. We shall soon appear as ] a city set upon a hill," the only objection being a- little too high ventilation ; but this objection will be considerably modified by a plentiful supply of blue gums. The "authorities " are talking of naming the streets and numbering the houses. Mr. P. B. Nicol purchased Mr. Ledingham's business, and has removed it opposite Mr. Grieves. It was erroneously stated by the BJu3 Spur correspondent of the "Press" that Mr. Nicol paid £5 a foot for frontage. The price j was £17 10s. for 40ft. Others were ! asking £1 a foot. I have not heard whether there were any takers at that bid or not. If we make progress at this ratio, we shall be under the necessity of having a weekly paper to ourselves, as no- place can get on without a | paper; indeed, the matter has been | mooted, and it has been proposed to name it the " Blue Spur Crusher and j Mining Journal," and to be established on the cold-water-cure principle, as being the best preventative for the " dry rot " among the mining population. ■ I am not sure whether the matter has yet taken the form when it will be necessary that the first question should be asked — "Will it pay? "We are a loyal people, and of course we shall uphold a Constitutional Government, and we shall . prefer being governed ait Diihedin instead of at Wellington: It is reasonable to suppose that they care more for our wants, and can sympathise more with our weakness than a Govermrient at a .distance; therefore we shall support tibe great " Mac " until we see a better

man. . Perhaps I shall be able to say something more on the subject soon. " Very many of our friends here started for Toko to see H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh. lam sorry that the "nobs" of Toko were "sold." One gentleman here, Mr. P. Uren, went as far as the Woolshed, wlien he was faken suddenly ill, and it was with difficulty his cousin, Mr. Samson Uren, could get him home. His life hung in the balance for a day or two ; but I am glad to say, through the excellent care and skill of his medical adviser, Dr. Halley, he has got the turn, and every hope is entertained of his ultimate recovery. What makes his recovery more interesting is that his wife was confined of her first child a short time ago. It is not only among the adult population that disappointments were experienced in not seeing the Duke. One of our smart school girls, the daughter of one of our large claimholders, sent a letter the other day to a lady on the Spur, the contents of which are as follows : — Blue Spur School. May sfch, 1809. My dear Mrs. ,, — I have great pleasure in writing you a few lines to let you see how lam getting on at school. I did not go down to see the Prince, as I was not desired to do so. If the Prince had been very desirous to see me, "he would have -come up to the Blue Spur ; indeed, I don't know how any one could think of being in Dunedin and not coining to the Blue Spur. It is very likely his royal mother may send him back again to complete the tour of this interesting province. With very best respects to all your friends and self, — I remaiu, &c.