WAITAHUNA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 228, 13 June 1872, Page 7

WAITAHUNA.

(From our Own Correspondent.) I don't think this Warden for the district has any reason to complain of the want of work, so far at least 'as this portion of it is concerned, as on every occasion of his visiting this place he appears to be kept busily employed. The bnsiness is got through expeditionsly, and apparently with satisfaction to the parties interested, as no complaints arc to be heard. On Friday last, in tho Resident Magistrate's Court, there were three cases disposed of. Johnston v. Stewart. — Claim, L 2 125., for medical attendance. Settled out of court. Johnston v. Kofoed. — Action to recover LI 25., for medical attendance, in the absence of Mr. M'Coy, counsel for the plaintiff, the case was adjourned for a fortnight. Subsequently, Mr. Sydney Wilson, who sued for Dr. Johnston under power of attorney, intimated to the court that the debt had been paid. Williamson v. Hammond. — Action to recover L 5, the amount of damage done to several stacks of oats and wheat belonging to plaintiff, by defendant's pigs. After hearing evidence, his Worship gave judgment for Ll and costs, amounting to Bs. In the Warden's Court, at the adjourned hearing of the application made by the Norwegian party to.evtend their head race, Mr. Copland appeared for the applicants. He said lie had advised his clients to flume the bad places referred to by the objectors," and as thty intended to adopt this course, he supposed the objections wero satisfactorily disposed of. The Warden coincided with this view of the case, and said the certificate would be granted at once.

At Havelock, some of tho claims are yielding very fair returns to the shareholders. I have heard that M' William's party, at the last washing-up, had 1-27 per man for seven weeks' work. The ground is not very deep, and by a systematic division of labour tho party manage to keep the sluice-boxes continually going. Hamilton's paityhad 20 ounces of gold out of the last paddock. They were live weeks from the time they commenced until they washed down, but as a fortnight of the time was spent in repairing clam and head race, the gold actually represents but three weeks' work. In Busche's claim, the washdirt in the paddock now being taken out is about tive feet thick. It will take about five weoks to finish the paddock. If tho price asked for a sixth share in this claim (L6O) is anything to be guided by, it should be paying L 2 or L 3 per week. That it is doing so, I will not take upon myself to say. Cairns.' paity are busy stripping,and at the end ot this week expect to have washdirt enough uncovered to keep them going for about a month In Stevenson's claim, the last paddock taken out did not pay much, but the one previous, was on the top of a coal bar, turned out 30 ounces of gold. The seam of coal uncovered by this party is about three feet thick, and said to be of very good quality ; they ssll it to any who choose to go for it with their own drays. The last paddock taken out by the Cockatoo party not proving payable, thoy are carrying a narrow cut back into the flat, with the hope of the. ground improving in that direction. The Waipori party have two horses and drays employed iv their claim at present. 1 have heard that tho last washing-up was not very satisfactory, but an improvement is anticipated in thi j paddock being stripped. In Tranter's claim horses and drays are employed, the party finding this the most expeditious method of removing the top soil. Purdy's party ai*e getting their claim well opened up, and from the prospects obtained at the time the ground was marked off, there is reasonable hope of its proving remunerative.

There appears to be a probability of our having a minister of religion settled in our midst, as I have heard that on Sunday last, the Rev. Mr, Kirkland intimated to the Presbyterian Church Committee, that the Ilev. Mr. Arnot, who'will be disengaged in a week or two, had signified his willingness to settle at Waitahuna, if invited by tho residents. A meeting of the church committee will be held on Thursday next to consider the subject.

As the Waitahuna Lodge, M.U.I. 0.0. F. use our Athenaeum, and as Thursday 13th.. is Lodge night, the Rev. Dr. Copland will deliver his lecture on " Spiritualism " in the school house.

Winter has come upon us at last, as a mantle of snow several inches thick covers the ground. At time of writing it still continues to snow heavily.