BLUE SPUE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 271, 10 April 1873, Page 5

BLUE SPUE.

(From our Mining Correspondent.) In consequence of the late long spell of dry weather water on the Spur has been remarkably scarce, and the water companies con Id only keep the claims -on halftime. The late rains, however, have given a fresh impetus to tho working, and will no doubt put an end to any iurther scarcity th;s season. At present all the claims are in full work,- , On tho Munros side Messrs^Elliot and Co. are steadily opening th%r*-iawhr lace, which is

now assuming quite a respectable appearance, and are now driving for a blast. Messrs. White and Co. have got away the most of their stuff, and will soon be ready for another blast. In the gully workings Messrs. Thomas and party and Varcoe and party have applied for extended areas of ground, which looks well for their prospects. On the Gabriels side the Great Extended Co. are making good progress with the hard nuts they have to crack, and are getting through a deal of work. The Otago Co.'s No. 1 claim ditto. Messrs. Hales and Hmde are steadily washing from.their late blast, which promises to be a very good one. The Great Extended Co. are still working long hours, and are getting clear of a lot of stuff. The Otago Co. No. 4 are getting a fine face on their claim, but will soon be compelled to run their tailings up hill, as they are getting pretty well buried up in the tailings. The Perseverance Co. are steadily working, but seem to lack the energy noticeable in other claims. Though holding about one third of the whole area of the Gabriels side of the Spur, they seem to work with fewer men than most of the claims. . Perhaps good management and the extreme richness of the ground may compensate the shareholders ; but if they are to be upheld by lateral support, the sooner we have a law for the first done to help their neighbour, the "better for the neighbours. Messrs. Morrison and Co. have again started to work their claim.' As they are the means of giving employment to a great many hands on the Spur, their stoppage was a serious loss to the community at large. It is to be hoped we have seen the last of injunctions on the Spur. On the reef very little is being done in the way of prospecting. With the exception of the long drive at Welshs Gully and the Clarks Hill Co.'s tunuel, nothing is doing. The money that has been paid to Government for holding ground that never a pick has been put' into, would, if judiciously spent, have most likely given more satisfaction.