MAETIN'S BAT.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 682, 9 July 1870, Page 2

MAETIN'S BAT.

In the Lake district it is the universally expre.-sed opinion that Pox's party did nothing in the shape of thoroughly prospecting the country. They ran over too much country and never sank a hole. The men working on the road have originated a prospecting party into which each pays 5s per week. A party of road men sunk a hole in a likely looking gully to the depth of twenty feet. They found gold in three different strata, and appearances warrant them sinking further. A very extensive beach, having the appearance of an old !ake, has been discovered on the Dart River. Every panful of stuff lifted showed the " color." The party tried to sink but found too much water, but thought two Califnrniau pumps would bottom. Eight persons have gone over the Saddle in the direction of Martin's Bay within the last fortnight. A correspondent writing from the head of Lake Wakatip, says that the road to Martin's Bay is made fifteen miles from the head of the lake. It crosses the river Dart and its tributary streams five times. The fords are all paved with hewn stone, and where there is deep water trees hare been felled for foot bridges. The crossing places are very firmly constructed, and have withstood several heavy floods. The bushmen or timber cutters are seventeen miles ahead of the roadmen, and have already cleared a track to Lake Harris, on the top of the great dividing range. A further cutting round a rocky precipice for some three miles will complete the track to the Saddle, as far as the wood cutters are concerned. No weather up to Sunday last had been experienced that is likely to interfere witli the prosecution of the works. We learn that the men charged with rioting, and preventing other men from working at a reduced rate of wages, were tried on Saturday at Queenstown. Two of the number were bound over to keep the peace. Evidence was, it is said, obtained with great reluctance, and the charges of intimidation, erecting a scaffold, &c, could not be proved. Mr Simpson, District Engineer, paid off in Queenstown over thirty of the men who had struck.— Dusfan Times.