SHAG VALLEY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 258, 9 January 1873, Page 8

SHAG VALLEY.

(From our mvn Correspondent.) [The following was held over from our last issue : — ] I suppose I must send my usual letter to keep you from grumbling; still, I have no news of any importance this week to communicate. Several ctfmpanies are very busy with the erection of their 1 batteries, which are oeing put up under the superintendence of Mr. Campbell and a staff of engineeis — Mr. Campbell is foreman for Mr. VV. Wilson, of the Otago Foundry. The Perseverance Co. have theirs nearly finished, and will commence crushing at the beginning of this year. They have a large quantity of stone ready for the mill, which is ex- f pected to turn out as well as the last crushing, which produced loz 3dwts per ton. Another consideration to the shareholders, when the next dividend is declared, is the saving of cartage, the battery being now placed on the claim. The Company have also got a new manager, Mr. Watson, who seems to be shaping more systematically than his predecessor. The Shag Valley Freehold Co. are fully employed erecting their large reservoir. They have also made a start at their battery, some of the bed logs being laid. The contractors for the cartage of the plant from Macraes have just completed their task, which was a pretty heavy one, some of the plant being very massive. The boiler is 25 feet in length, and weighs between 6 and 7 tons. lam sorry to say that they met with an ac cident when getting the monster from the top of the spur . down to the gully where the works are: They had large posts sunk in the ground for the purpose of holding the large rope which was around the boiler, and by which they were lowering it down. It went down safely enough until near the bottom, when the rope broke, and away it went right into the main gully. The only damage done to the boiler at present visible, is a dent in two of. tbe plates. Mr. Bell, the manager, however, means to get it tested by hydraulic 1 pressure, when the full extent of the damage will be ascertained. It was very fortunate that it was so near the bottom when the accident occurred , and also that the boiler encountered no rocks in its passage down, or the result might have been more serious, the boiler might indeed have been smashed to pieces, or injured some of the hands engaged in bripging it down. It is to be hojsed that this company will erect five additional stamps in addition to their present" complement, and crush for the public, as a great impetus would thereby be-giveii to private enterprise. Their plant, I~ believe, is fully capable of driving the additional lot, and it would certainly prove a great boon to private parties here. Cooper and party have got their .wheel on the ground. This party are going to use water power, and are erecting their battery at M'Cormack's creek. They have- a large number of men employed. I hear their stampers are not yet ready. Mr. Wilson is also making this plant, and expects to be ready for crushing this month. , The Shamrock Company are busy

opening out along the course of the reef. I hear it looks very well. The reef is from sto 6 feet wide. It is reported that they intend putting their battery down on the Shag River. Should they do so, there is no doubt they will have a constant supply of water. Although the cartage of the stone would be heavy, the river being 4 miles from the reef. But on the other hand, they would not require any coal — a commodity pretty expensive up here. I have no doubt they have well considered the pros, and cons, of the matter. I intended sending you particulars of the soiree and coucert held here in aid of the school funds, in my last, but owing to its length could not do so, but will now state that it was a great success, the schoolhouse being crowded, and the singing by the ladies and gentlemen really first-rate. The receipts from the sale of tickets, &c, greatly augmented the funds of the school, which is now open. Mr. Murdoch is teacher, and appears to give satisfaction to the parents of children under his tuition. Divine service is also held in the schoolhouse every Sunday, by the Rev. Mr. Clark, Palmerston. There has lately been a large addition to the Chinese population. It is reported that those previously domiciled Jhere have been making good wages, working in the river. Several batches of the " heathen " have arrived, and others are coming nearly every day — a stre sign, as I take it, that the old handa must be doing well, and have sent for their friends to come and fish in the saniq pond. A report was current recently that a party of them, working at Ross's Hotel, had tumbled on the snail patch of 1920zs. — rather a rich Chiistmas box, but I think it only a canard I haie seen a person who has been on a ■visit to the rush between Hyde and Macraes. He informs me that one or two parties are on good gold, but the payable ground at present is very limited 1 in area — just the top end of three Mind gullies. One party, at the time o' his visit, were sinkiug on one of the 3purs, but had not bottomed. If gold <an be traced in the spurs, my inforirant thinks it will be an extensive field. The season as yet has been very favorable for the growth of all kinds of crops, both root and grain, rain having fallen more or less every week ; also heavy dews at night ; heavy winds being absent, There has not been sufficient rain fall for the miners, who are beginning to cry out for more water. The crops are looking really splendid, most of the several kinds being out in ear, and there is every prospect at present of their being a better harvest than the farmers have had for years. Cabbages, peas, turnips, and new potatoes, with other garden produce, have been on sale for along time past.