SWITZERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 182, 3 August 1871, Page 6

SWITZERS.

(From a Correspondent.)

Perhaps you will kindly give insertion in your columns to a few notes on mining matters, &c, from this district. We, as a mining community, are often misrepresented, and our schoolmaster, as correspondent of the Otago " Witness," is in the habit of burnishing that journal with copious effusions on mining matters, which are of a purely theoretical character. From the short time he has been in tho district, he is not in a position to give reliable information on topics of such importance, and is not warranted in affirming that he does so. The glowing accounts sent to the •' Witness" by our dominie may unfortunately have the effect of attracting and misleading more than a few miners in other districts — a probability which of late has been much spoken of. I have no wish to shake the confidence of the mining community, but simply seek to efface this epidemic, pro bono publico. Our schoolmaster endeavours to make our escort returns swell into sreat significance, but it. must be remembered that these have to be raked up from fifteen different localities, having a radius of fifty or sixty miles. Again, the report in his last letter, that certain claims are doing remarkably well, is simply false and unfounded; there are but few claims here doing well.

Mining news from the Nokomai is much toore encouraging of lace ; not so from Waikaka, although two pavtbt. are doing well. Tbe Dome has of late got iuto disfavour, but at the same time some are inakiug pretty fair wages. Tne Baine may be said of the Whitecombe. From Govv's Creek report is generally good. Payable prospects have been obtained up the Waikaia, and a race is being cut by the prospectors for their own exclusive use. Tne news caused a rush, but reports since are not so favourable. No doubt if the Government water scheme is brought iuto effect in this distrirt, it will confer a great boon on the mining community, as much payable grouud would be opened up on tbe spurs, which at present cannot be worked for 'ack of water.

Ou Switzers proper mining operations are occasionally retarded through tbe influence of snow and heavy frosts. The former being succeeded by rain, is quickly removed, and the latter is softened by the solar rays, although on more elevated portions winter's mantle is too deep to be so easily operated on, and in consequence is of longer duration. Shaw and party are pushing forward with fair results. .The Urealf 'em all (Join parry are very quiet. Tne Prince of Wales Company are expecting a fair yield. Gwyune and party have abandoned their claim on the grounds of a too thin sprinkling of gold, and have commenced operations further down the spur, and hope for better luck. Matthews and Smith have had much labour to obtain sufficient fall to work their ground. . Tnis company has receutly amalga- • mated with Wallis and Francis, whose ground, being in proximity, wiil in future be known as the Great Extended Company. The character of the dirt in tueir No. 2 faco is such- as will require the chief agent, viz., powder, the dirt being different to tje | genera)' loose grav,el ■ hills, and the j water not having the ordinary action. This portion of their ground headi race requires to be cut to a depth of' j tea feet, owing to the indispensably low level of tbe main water-race. They are also about to construct a new dam, the old one being too close to tbeir workings. Agricultural pursuits are being carried on vigorously in this district. A . few hundred acres lately have been selected, and are now under the plough. • ; Scarlatina still hangs about, a cas-e orttwo being reported occasionally, bin more of a uu'ld character than at first. Dr. M'Cryatal deserves the tiv.uiks .of those whose children have l)een under the malady, for his skilful treatment of the same.