ARROWTOWN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 310, 20 October 1875, Page 3

ARROWTOWN.

(FKOM OUK OWN (JOIIHESFONDENT.) October 18, 1875. After two or three stoppages of 'he machinery owing to the breaking down of fluming of the water race, the Phoenix tribute company cleaned up when 40 tons of stuff had been put through, the yield from which was 223 ounces. This quarts is considered the poorest in the,paddock, a great deal of it having been obtained previously to striking the best stone. The crushing will be continued until about 400 tons are dealt with ; the quicksilver will bo, cleared every week, and in a few days a new water supply will bo finished, so that delay from the breaking of the old fluming will be obviated. No very active work on any of the Skippers reef claims will be effected until the total result of <he Phoenix crushing is known. Southberg and party who are on good stone will however keep their battery going. Mr Southberg has also started cultivating a 200 acre paddock in the neighborhood, which will probably be the highest bit of land in the Province so utilized, but will do much to cheapen the cost of horse feed, potatoes, &c., in the locality. The Skippers reefs are among the highest workings we have, and discovery cannot go much above them, as the perpetual snow of the Southern Alps will form an obstacle not easily overcome. No doubt if the yields from the Phcenix continue good these mountains will again be the scenes of enterprise and activity of no ordinary description, for they offer advantages above most other quartz localities in having abundance of timber and water power ; while there are known reefs of considerable size, from which a yield of about half an ounce per ton can be depended upon. A sluicing party opposite to Maori Point, Shotover, Scriver and party, have washed up after twelve months running, the yield being over 200 ounces, the number of men employed being three. Considerable excitement has ruled hero during the week owing to the quartz discovery at the 12-Mile, Arrow, reported in my last, and which by the way I noticed failed to reach the Arnno Observer. A number of people from the Arrow have been up to look at it. and as much as £IOO has been offered for a share in the reef, which is described as showing beautiful stone. It is an off-shoot from a much larger reef, but in which very slight prospects could be raised. Claims have been taken up on this new discovery for a mile right up to the snow. For the information of your Cardrona correspondent I may state that the claim to which I referred in a previous letter was the “ Mile” claim granted to Messrs Mackin and Bond, and which was (as well as I can re member) once advertised as the “ Cardrona Valley Great Extended.” A young lad here, Master Jenkins, accidentally swallowed a two-shilling piece today. Happily he does not seem much injured by the accident, as yet at any rate. The Dramatic Club played the Octoroon last Friday night to a full house, for the benefit of the Library. The takings were over seventeen pounds, very good these times. Every one seemed gratified at the performance, which was indisputably a most successful one in every respect, and highly creditable to the Club. It is proposed to repeat the play on the 9th proximo, the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, the performance to be preceded by a picnic at Butel’s farm, which project seems in high favor at present, as cricketing, dancing, and other amusements will be arranged for. Two auction sales have been held by Messrs D. Powell and Co., during last week, consisting of freehold property, household furniture, cattle, horses, &c. Fair prices were realized, except in the case of the freeholds, which did not find purchasers, the bidding not reaching the reserve fixed upon them.