LAKE WANAKA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 832, 24 March 1885, Page 3

LAKE WANAKA.

(from our own correspondent.) Albert Town, March 23. A few days ago I accompanied agent H. J. M‘Kay up to Burk’s Peninsula, near East Wanaka, in order to see if the rabbits were decreasing or not, and also to see how the stoats and weasels were faring. The programme was to go up by the steamer, land at the upper end or the neck, then travel down to the end of the peninsula near Pembroke and go back in the steamer ; but as it would not return till the next day Mr John Campbell’s little boat was towed up and loft at the lower end so that we could return here at night. We were put ashore at the neck in due course by Mr Woodley, the first mate of the steamboat, who seems to be the right man in the right place. The ground has the appearance of having been’alive with rabbits, but now only an occasional one was to be seen. A good stiff climb brought us to the top. Travelling down the east side was not very difficult, and everywhere the result of poisoning was most gratifying, and the lower we went down the scarcer rabbits seem to become, and all the burrows appeared deserted. We arrived at some ground which had not been poisoned last year, and rabbits seemed as scarce as before, which was no doubt caused by the imported vermin continually hunting them. A scramble down the rocks soon brought us to the boat, which quickly landed us at Pembroke. The view of the whole upper Clutha \ alley and the greater part of the lake is ample compensation for a far higher and harder climb than we had. This should be part of every tourist’s programme. I have been having a look over the diggings at Mount Criffell. As everyone knows, the banks offer £3 9s an ounce only for this gold. The miners are dissatisfied with this, and quantities have been sent to various parts for assay. Mr J. J. Barker’s wife being on a visit to Eallant, ,he sent a quantity by her to be assayed by the Ballarat School of Mines. Considering, that-town as the metropolis of the goldfields, Mr Barker thought that their report would be conclusive. The result will be gratifying to miners, as it shows the gold to be worth £3lsa 2d. This is the detailed report : A half ounce lost eight grains in melting. This left a loss of 16 grains per ounce, and, allowing £3 17s 6d as the standard, gave the value as above stated. The numbers in decimal fineness were 8899, and the assay in carats and grains 21.13-8. Of course there is the duty and one or two items, but, nevertheless, it is contended that a better price can be obtained by sending it to Australia. There are now about ten claims in active operation on Mount Criffell. Some of them are making good wages, others are prospecting only. One party is stacking the washdirt so as to be prepared to wash off the dirt in spring when the snow melts. Two parties are sledging the dirt some distance to water, and at night time enough water is saved to wash off for half an hour. Other parties are putting dirt in bags and hauling it down a steep hill to water. One party has to carry the washdirt 50 yards, in addition to hauling it down the hill. Some of them are making good wages even under these disadvantages. There is no doubt but there is plenty of gold up there, but the scarcity of water will be a great drawback. If the wash- . dirt were stacked during the summer and washed il- with snow water, that would keep a few parties > : going in blind gullies. The original prospectors V .are now hard at work bringing in a water-race, i which is a heavy undertaking. The length is ■v pyer 15 miles. The distance is farther increased by having to go round several gullies with branches and sub-branches. It will require a lot of Burning, and a large weekly expenditure order to keep it in repair. The cost when finished will be over £IOOO. In about a month, ita the approach of winter, the severity of the Climate will drive everyone to the low grounds. Next year in all probability tip drays will supersede the sledges, and sledges will take the place 6f hand-dragging in sacks. A good track has been cut to the top. When on the top, opposite the nursery, a magnificent view of the Cardroua Valley may be had. Right opposite there is a range of mountains, varying in different degrees of purple according to the distance and the condition of the atmosphere. A smaller row of .bills range along the bottom, and show to great perfection the effects of water wearing them away. Every tourist should have a look notes are hurrieiHy Written. I regret that want of time has prevented me from giving them to your readers in a more presentable form.