THE SHOTOVER.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 834, 6 July 1871, Page 2

THE SHOTOVER.

(From the " Lake "Wakatip Mail.) The Shotover Eiver is stated to be lower than it has been for several years ; but complaints are made that large areas are locked up by speculative holders who are not working the ground, but are preventing miners from " setting in." It is said that several miles of the bed are thus alienated, as it were, and the working parties of miners find it extremely difficult to secure a suitable piece of ground to wing dam and work outside the pegs. The miners urge, with great force, that this locking up of the river is only intended to force themselves into the hands of the speculators. They further point out that for years the Shotover has not been, until this season, workable, and that now, when those who kuew parts of the river that could be profitable worked, go to the localities to take up a claim they find it included in some large grant—the only work done on which has been the placing of the pegs. Those miners who have been able to edge in are doing well, and in several instances very large returns have been obtained. There is, in fact quite a furor to take up claims, in consequence of these successes; and the Government should see ere the season passes away that such claims as the New Channel Company and others are worked, or at once thrown open to parties of working miners. Outside parties of miners refuse to take shares, or join these companies, having been so often bit, but they are willing to work the ground.