LAKE WAKATIPU.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 842, 2 June 1885, Page 2

LAKE WAKATIPU.

(from our own correspondent.) QIJEENSTOWN, Julie 1. The Queen's Birthday passed off without any notice being taken of it except to observe it as a partial holiday one. No flags were flown, the town band ignored the occasion, and therefore Ave had not even the National Anthem played. The day was wet and cold, and thus a miserable one for holiday purposes. If the week ending 23rd May was a blank one for news, aud therefore called for no notice from my hand, its successor, the present one, is hardly better off in that respect. There is not even an earthquake to report, but we witnessed on Friday a striking Aurora' Australia, and on the same evening a grand eclipse of Jupiter. The aurora was followed as usual by a southerly squall not a regular "burster" and now Jack Frost has heralded his advance, and made known that he is yet monarch of the period. Thus it follows that the proverbial weather topic will appear rather prominent in this week's letter. Now this weather item is of more than passing interest from a general point of view. Let us see. An unexpected early downfall of snow injured all roads, especially those to the mines. Slips prevailed and newmade roads and tracks suffered, and have not yet or are likely for sometime to come, to recover. Farmers have been unable to plough up land, even if they had strong inducements to do so. Perhaps many of them gladly accept the elements as a good reason for witbolding their hands from the plough. Again, the sluicers were rejoiced to find water becoming so early abundant, and so are some Macetown quartz companies it is said. However, this is given as a more report, for the simple reason that if that quarter is not full of pajdng quartz-mining companies, it is a mine of wealth of reasons and excuses why they are not so. The weather topic has already been lugged in as an apology. In summer season and winter season alike, either that unfortunate clerk of the weather, or the mistake of road contractors, or the want of roads, is the ascribed cause of the failure of a lot of ignis fataus companies in that boastful quartz-mining centre. Yet this kind of thing is doing other parts of the district harm. These illusions and delusions re-act unfavorably upon similar interests of which not

much " blow" is made. However, as we have all kinds of weather Macetown interests ought to be pleased in some respects. We hear of few (if any) complaints from any other quarters in the district. Despite the indifferent state of the roads, Mr F. Evans, manager of the Phoenix mine, Skippers, has been energetically forwarding the electric machinery on its way to that mine. If obstacles exist they must be overcome. This is pushing forward work with a vengeance, but it is an important item to have the mine lit up day and night. The stone is there in quantity " galore" aud the object is to get out as much as possible, The Inviucible quartz-mine is another instance of enterprise, exertion and perseverance, and like the Phoenix will ere many years are past be quoted like " consuls" on the Mining Exchange. All will be due to an outlay that " croakers" even now exclaim is not *■» justified. How usual is the remark, " Oh, it is not'Evans, but Bullen that is the backer !" Granted, and justly so to a very large extent, but is it not a pertinent enquiry to ask how many a manager would have lost heart or courage iu face of numerous and unexpected difficulties. If the backer was a firm and steady supporter, surely the intense belief of the good thing in the mine manager was likewise a contribution towards success. Let to this be added indomitable zeal and energy. Mistakes and miscalculations have arisen, and they have acted as warning beacons. They have not shipwrecked the venture—they have acted in the light of pilots for the future. Again, it is alleged that undue extravagance has prevailed in working. Let the fact be admitted for argument sake. Did the district suffer or gain by any such over-expenditure ? Was there any unfortunate or sanguine shareholder taken in or injured thereby except the sole owner of the mine ? He has full confidence in the management of the mine, and it is a piece of gross impertinence to interfere with him, and tell him to button his breeches pocket. He is taking an exactly opposite course. He and his manager are satisfied that they have a quartz and of a payable character if scientifically worked. The first outlay may be heavy, but the results so far as known will give good interest upon the investment, and for years yet to come. Nothing more is asked for. The result of crushings may not always realize expectations, but as in the past they are sufficiently encouraging to guarantee that result for the future at the very least. There is no doubt of one thing, that the two _ mines named are setting forth examples that will yet not be without their effect, and for this reason the subject has been somewhat dilated upon in this article.

The other subjects of pluck impressing the writer's mind are the sluicing undertakings of Mr Aspinall, Skippers, and Mr W. L. Davies, of Stoney Creek, Shotover. The former one's works have already been described, the latter may be said to be awaiting completion. They are not like the quartz mines, entered into as mere speculations, but as permanent industries conducted upon business principles. Mr Davies' plant, like Mr Aspinall's, is a costly one, and will be worked all the twenty-four hours through. There is a great difference in the nature of these two sluicing plants, and as much in the mode of working them. Mr Davies will work his upon the American, system as far as possible. Indeed, since this affair was first mooted in this column that gentleman has had at Dunedin manufactured under his own supervision high-pressure pipes, with the necessary outlets, etc. Last week he had to send to Sau Francisco for the proper nozzles and movements. In California they have large rivers, and by combination of companies they often get long runs for the stuff. Here that is impossible in creeks. What Mr Davies aims at is turning over the dirt as quickly in a shorter length. Of course the continuous object is to precipitate the fine gold, and then collect it by a more subtle process. Should, however, Mr Davies' plan succeed, we shall see " Yankee" sluicing carried on along the banks of our rivers, and our present puny races thrown into the shade so far as regards terrace workings. All the companies named will eventually use the electric light. Large quantities of goods continue to arrive. Yet on all hands one is assured business is frightfully dull. We have had no fires, no alarming clearing out sales, so the goods must go into consumption. The fact is that the mining population is larger than is generally imagined. It is no longer a roving one. Like a good boy, " Jack" settles down to steady work, and takes unto himself a mate and makes up.a home. What would suit "Jack" alone does not suffice for the new life. Two, if not more, have to be provided for, and many of our miner's houses are now often little palaces compared to those of a dying-out generation of them. So after all business cannot be so bad, for the influx of goods is one of progressive steadiuess. This is more pleasant to relate than to growl over an apparent decadence of prosperity. ' Owing to the support the Cromwell Argtjs has given to the views of the trout-poaching case, and the comments made upon the inactiou shown therein a new departure from silence has now been made. The Committee of the Acclimatisation Society met on Friday, and the affair is not longer to be hushed up. Summonses have been issued against Mr Farmer, late treasurer, etc., and Mr Pennyfather, late Ranger, of the Southland Acclimatisation Society. This case, which promises to become a caususcelebres, will be heard here this day week. Without expressing any vindicative feeliug, it is as well that the affair was not left to brood in people's mind, and that in any future case of that character it could not be used as a defence or in mitigation of the infliction of a penalty. The Earnslaw road is to be carried to the Twelve-Mile Creek. This will be a great boon to miners, settlers, and tourists also bent to see Mt. Earnslaw face to face. This extension was urged in these letters over two years as a means to the end of opening up and tending to settle a valuable mineral area, and fitted for agricultural purposes in places, but undoubtedly so for grazing of cattle. Land in the same district brought good prices at the last Government land sales, Dunedin. That which was not worth lookiug at is now worth pounds per acre. Glenorchy township allotments are nearly all sold. There is, again your correspondent would repeat, a great future for the Earnslaw district. MrGreen, late providore of the p.s. Mountaineer is leaving us, and many regret that he did not anchor himself in Queeustown. In every public reunion, any festive demonstration, he was " all there." The fact is he is an artist in his calling, and like those of other professions, unassuming, gentlemanly and courteous. Now an element like this is very useful at ball, dinner, public picnic affairs, etc., and cannot be " manufactured" out of every sort of material. Mr Green was presented with a purse of sovereigns before leaving. The s.s. Jane Williams has commenced running again, so that the negotiations for the formation of one company must have fallen through. The Mountaineer has done well in the passenger and freight trade, and is doing so still in the Utter way. The County Council meeting to-day will be of an important character locally, and may prove a stormy one. The Wellington deputation will probably report progress.