Round Round Hill.

(By our Rivjseton Correspondent.) The operations of the Round Hill Sludge Channel Company, now about to be jommenced, will probably attract many visitors to the beautiful bay ot Whakapatu, the starting point of the intended channel, and many ot these visitors will possibly extend their trip to Round Hilt itself, whilst others will deuy themselves the pleasure of a visit to Canton from fear of the inconveniences attendant thereon. I have just returned from a visit to Round Hill which extended over two days and think some notes of my journey may tend to remove from your readers' minds any doubts aa to the advisableness of seeing John Chinaman at home. Leaving Riverton by the evening train I reached Wbakapatu about 7 p.m. and secured a seat on the trolly bound for Canton. The tramway runs from the station through the bush, over the sludge, uphill and down dale and right through the main street of the aforesaid Canton ; and along this tramway we oowled at a merry pace under the guidance of " Bill" Andrews, whose strong, active aud well-cared for horses showed a thorough knowledge of their work. Canton is reached in about, forty minutes and the arrival of the evening trolly is of tar greater moment to the "Hill" thaa that of tiie Dunediii express to Inveroargill. The Celestials return from their day's work at the claims at about 6 p.m., wash and change, and then, having fed, are prepared to receive the new arrivals with a perfect volley of "Hi-yahs." On reaching my destination I secured quarter at Titfeu's Hotel and, placing myseli in the hands of a young friend now engaged on the diggings proceeded to explore. The town of Canton is somewhat peculiar in its general appearance. The buildings are varied (very) in design and mostly erected on one long strangling street or rather alley of about 15ft. in width. It can boast of a Presbyterian church (in which occasional services are held by Mr Hftio, of Qrepuki), a }ow house, thrw or feu*

general stores (mostly kept by Chinamen) three or four saloons devoted, I fancy, t games of chance and the consumption o opium, and one hotel. There is also i billiard saloon which appeared to be wel supported. Bat the evenings of the Can tonese seem to be spent chiefly in playinj dominoes, with perhaps a little fan-tan while from all sides and from nearly everj house ascended the fumes of an incense bj no means grateful to European nostrils. I met several acquaintances among the Chinese, and made more, receiving from al the most courteous treatment. Those oi your readers who may have met the portly and pleasant merchants Wong Chang and Chock Boz, the affable Cong Fun, the sauvt Su On, or the jocular Charlie Ah Hop, will agree with me in speaking well of some ol this much -abused race. I shall not omit Ah Wing, commonly called, on account of his pugilistic proclivities, " Tipperary," but who objects tbusly : " What for you callee me Tippelalee ? me no Ilisheeman!" Passing through the township I was pleased at the friendly greetings received by my quide — " Hallo, Tim ! How you popping up, Tim?" and kindly inquiries of a like nature, were constantly made. After an hour or so of this I adjourned to my quarters at Tiffen's for a quiet smoke with my European friends, and then to bed, lulled to sleep by the " hi-yahs," now growing fainter and fainter. I must here aay a good word for my host. My bed wvb clean and comfortable and the refreshments supplied both solid and fluid, might put to shame those of many much more pretentious hotels. Next morning I explored the field and found the want of water the chief complaint. The required fall for the lower- lying claims will, it is expected, be soon supplied by the Sludge Channel Company. The population of the Round Hill is about 400, of whom about 50 are Europeans who mostly live in huts on or near their claims ; the remaining 350 are Chinese who live together in the township. As a goldfleld the " Hill" has been and ■till is good the only fault having been the before mentioned want of fall and an occasional scarcity of water in very dry weather. The large noes known as Berndtson's, Port's, Anderson's and Brace's are the chief sources of water supply and a Round Hill head of water, t.e., one-fourth of a Government head, lets at from 12s 6d to 15s per week. A long walk in hot weather over the rough and broken tracks among the claims certainly has somnolent effects, for on my return to Canton and after duly refreshing the inner man I felt callous and indifferent alike to "hi-yahs" and opium fumes, and placidly svwaited the coming of the evening trolly after the manner of a native. The excitement on its arrival was intense as an acrobatic troupe came up and an extra trolly was laid on. The appearance of the children of the party on the balcony of Tiffen's caused great delight and much discussion, one Chinaman remarking that the children were " too littee," " too muchee cheil." I had intended to catch the morning train at Colac by walking down the corduroy by Lake George, which is well worth a visit, bat heavy rain set in and I had again to trust myself to the care of Andrews, who brought me in safety to Whakapatu and to the end of a very pleasant trip.