BLUE SPUR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 273, 24 April 1873, Page 5

BLUE SPUR.

(From our Mining Correspondent.)

Water is still a scarce commodity on the Spur, and a little more wet weathor would prove very serviceable, as mostly all the claims have enough to do to make anything like full time. In consequence of the long scarcity, claimholders are beginning to look after the water storage for securing the water aupply. The Tuapeka Co. are about enlarging their damtoincrease their storage, andtheOtago Co. have also started to build a dam at the head of Gabriels Gully, which, when completed, will store a considerable quantity of water. Messrs White and Co. are washing up after a long run, which no doubt will pay handsomely, as they have been working in the neighborhood of good ground. Messrs. Elliott and Co. fired a blast last week, which, it is anticipated, will give a good spell of washing. It is contemplated by several of the companies to try iron piping for carrying water across the- claims instead of timber fluming. From estimates received, it appears it can be done cheaper, and will also have the advantage of relieving a considerable quantity of ground that has to do duty in supporting the races across the Spur. The tailings question has had a considerable long rest of late. After years of disputing and litigation, the companies at last succeeded in removing all -obstructions in the way. Congratulating 'ourselves on at last having a clear field and a long run, our expectations were abruptly brought to a close by one of our claimholders receiving a note from some jocular fellow belonging to the Lawrence Town Council, reminding us that we were fastswampingout Lawrence. As we know the Council to be a lot of funny fellows, who can either give or take a joke, it is quite possible they might be answered by another requesting a valuation of their property, which, if any'hing reasonable, would no doubt be speedily settled if no other means could be found. Perhaps that would be carrying the joke too far.