BLUE SPUR MINING NOTES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 188, 14 September 1871, Page 5

BLUE SPUR MINING NOTES.

(From our Mining Correspondent. )

For the last fortnight mining matters on the Spur have been very brisk, as between snow and rain we have had abundance of water, and most of the claims are taking advantage of it by working overiimet Livingstone and Co. have finished their washing up, and are driving for another blast^ The Great Extended Co. have entirely removed their workings from the Monros to the Gabriels side, and are washing away a deal of stuff. Morrison and Co. are about starting to wash up. The Perseverance Co. are steadily washing. I believe a fourteenth share in this company's claim changed hands lately for £800. The value^of shares in this claim seems to be steadily on the increase ; it is the largest claim on the Spur, and owing to its own rights of water it should be a^pretty safe investment. I am very sorry to have to report the sudden disappearance of " Lake Cooper." The last heavy rain caused a flood in Mnnro's Gully, which cut a channel through the valley, letting out the water from the lake, which by the morning was completely empty, to the great mortification of the naritical portion of our population, who had just finished the building of a rather original craft, whether designed for quick sailing, great carrying capacity, or a trap for some of our " little results," I can't say ; but at all events she is here at a considerable expsnee of time and patience. Since the disappearance of the lake, the builder, who is. rather a genius, is thinking of converting it into an aerial machine, which, if successfully accomplished, would confer a great benefit to the population, considering the present state of our roads, and also a considerable saving to our liberal Government, who voted £50 for repairs without the slightest intention of paying it. If you have any interest in the matter, you should secure a passage for your reporter on the trial trip. Perhaps your " own correspondent " would volunteer. As for myself, I shall most likely be busy washing up jnst then. I am glad that some action has been taken on the Spur in connection with the miners in other districts for the restric-

tion of Chinese. Though they interfere very little with us, still we heartily sympathise with our fellow miners placed more in connection with them than we are. Though they may temporarily benefit a few storekeepers and others, still every miner feels they will ultimately become a curse to the country. One of our residents was round the other day with a petition with the introductory remarks, " Sign this for no Chinamen, and sign that fo% no Provincial Council." I may say both were numerously signed, as the opinion is that one is just about as good as the other.