NEW INDUSTRIES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 391, 16 September 1874, Page 2

NEW INDUSTRIES.

THE TUAPEKA EIVEE BUSH. The demand for firewood and fencing timber in this district being rapidly on the increase, and the price having risen in a proportionate ratio, any means of obtaining a regular supply at a moderate cost is a matter of iaterest te tbo population of the district. We therefore append a discription of the Tuapeka Eiver Bush, a lease of which has recently been granted, by the Waste Lands Board to Messrs. Creswick, Redman, and Pott 3. The bush is situated about five miles from Lawrence, in the direction of the Tuapeka Basin. The road to it is from Evans Flat to the foot of ATTinros G-ully. The track then runs up the banks of the Tuapeka River on comparatively level ground for about a mile and a half. This track, which has been formed by the lessee of the bush, is a very good one, and will be passable for traffic the greater portion of the year without metalling ; ami should that be required, there is any amount of good road making material down' to the present road line. After proceeding up the river some distance, and crossing it in several places, we oamo to a narrow gorge, passing through which we are brought to a small flat, where we find the end of a tramway, where the drays receive their loading. The tramway is upwards of five hundred yards in length, and is of a very substantial character, being built principally of birch, several good logs of which were easily obtained for the purpose. There is a slight gradient in the tramway, to allow the loaded trucks to run down easily, thus saving the employment of horse power in the meantime j although, with the increased demand for timber, the services of a horse will be brought into requisition. At the end of the tramway, there is a quantity of timber already cut, the greater portion of which was felled some months ago, the proprietors desiring to supply timber without sap, and thus considerably lightening the burden for the draymen, besides providing a much more preferable timber for fuel. Manuka and broadleaf are principally cut for firewood, there being very little timber of any other variety in the vicinity of the tramway. "What little birch could be got at conveniently has already been cut down. Many people have an objection to the last-named timber for fuel, as it burns away quickly. The bush at present being worked, comprises about one hundred acres, but the timber is very much scattered over that area. The largest trees are situated in the gullies which dip into the river, and the sidlings are covered with small scrub. There is another considerable patch of bush a short distance higher up the river, but from its almost inaccessible position will not at present be touched. Two miles further up the stream, there is a still larger bush, but it will be a long time before it is required. The lessees — Messrs. Creswick and Party — deserve encouragement for the amount of capital and labor expended by them in thus making timber that has been lying idle so nmnyyears, available for present requirements. They have expended eight mouths' labor, besides a large amount of capital in building the tramway and forming the road — a work of considerable magnitude for a small party of men to undertake. They are now able to supply upwards of thirty loads of firewood and fencing timber per week. KITTO AND PABXY'S WATER RACE. The construction of a large "water race has been undertaken by a party of miaers, Messrs. Kitto and party, in Munros G-ully. They have for some three years past been occupied in ground - slucing the gully, taking the whole of the ground in a face ; and not having a good fall, they require a large quantity of water to carry the stuff away. During the time that the British North American, Livingston's and other claims ■were working, there was an ample supply of water for ground-slucing, but since their discontinuance water has been very scarce. Messrs. Kitto and party therefore decided to bring in a large stream of water from the Tuapeka River. In order to do this without stopping their claim, they sold three halfshares in the same, which enables them to work the claim and also bring in the race at the Bame time. The length of the ditch will be about sir miles, five of which will be tolerably easy cutting ; the remaining portion, near the source, will be through solid rock, and will be work of some difficulty. The race is registered to carry twelve heads of water, and even in the dryest season that quantity will be available. The proprietors expect to finish the ditch in about six months, as they have let a portion of the contract, and are pushing on rapidly with the remainder themselves.