MINING NOTES.

Lake County Press, Issue 59, 19 July 1872, Page 2

MINING NOTES.

(From an Occasional Correspondent )

12-Mile, Arrow.

The Arrow River and 12-Mile Creek are looking moat gloomy just now, in consequence of the frost being so very severe. I notice a new water race and fluming in course of construction at the 12-Mile as well as other preparations which indicate every confidence in the lasting prosperity of this portion of the Arrow district. The town (Macetown) has improved much of late in the way of buildings of a very creditable style. The Chinese are suffering severely from the bitter weather, and they are almost daily emigrating.

Cardnona.

Most of the claims in the upper Cardrona Creek are entirely frozen up. The weather has been very severe, and a thaw will prove most acceptable in this locality. In the claims about the township the effects of King Frost have not been so perceptible,| the workings being of a different nature from those in the creeks. In the large claims of the Chinese they are wheeling away, apparently unaffected by the frost or cold.

Many new claims have been marked out on the Deep Lead, which promises well to be a great success. Bowes and party, I hear, have been averaging £lO c-week per man during the past seven weeks. “Geordie Bob” has struck payable gold on the high reef, while other claims are turning out good prospects. The various companies are working with energy, and the whole community are in high spirits, sanguine of prosperous results. About fifty Chinamen have left the Cardrona in various directions since winter set in. Those now working at Butcher’s Flat and Branch Creek show signs of doing well—if one may judge by the heaps of bottles around their dwellings, labelled Hennessey and MarteUs.

Gibbstown

Last week I visited Gibbstown, which presents a most gratifying aspect of long settlement. There are many natty cottages erected, and small cultivations are numerous. The population in this vicinity has largely increased, and many shares in claims have recently changed hands at remunerative prices. Miners are now at work on the banks towards the river, and appear satisfied with their earnings—although they complain of frost and scarcity of water ; but lam inclined to believe their success in prospective is much larger than has been commonly supposed. I am informed that the Cambrian Water Race, heading from Doolan’s Creek and along the east ridge of the Remarkables, is at length constructed on to a flat near the Nevis Bluff, but owing to the alpine position of the some miles of it is frozen, and no water, as yet, is procurable. The portion now completed is 16 miles long, and will carry 20 sluice-heads of water. I believe it is the highest and largest race in the Wakatip district, and commands Cambrian Flat, Gibbstown, and may be made available to work all the terraces on the south bank of the Kawarau between the Nevis Junction and Kawarau Falls. As proof of the difficulties overcome by the proprietors it may be mentioned that over a ton of powder was used to blast the rock, parts being 30 feet perpendicular. The cutting of this race was commenced by four Welshmen in 1869, and who have employed wages men for several months. The work has been very tedious, having occupied three years to brieg it to its present termination—at a cost exceeding £4,000. Considering the disadvantage hitherto existing many auriferous terraces have been left partially worked, and 1 have no doubt as soon as water can be obtained more new arrivals will take the opportunity of effectually working those places. I hear that Mr Schieb, of the Deep Creek Hotel, has been refused an application to have a post office at Gibbstown, but is allowed a private mail bag, to be made up at Arrowtown, for all letters, &c., addressed to him or his care. This will be a convenience to residents at Gibbstown.