THE SHOTOVER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 42, 23 September 1863, Page 4

THE SHOTOVER.

(from our own correspondent.) Maori Point, Sept. 17, 1863

On Friday last John Buchanan, a packer from Queenstown, when on his return from Maori Point, fell down off the sideling on the terrace above Maori Point. He rolled dwn to the base, and is now lying in a store on the top of the same terrace. Dr. Combe was at once sent for and promptly attended. The injured man is suffering from severe bruises on the side of the neck and ribs, the spme being partially injured. He is now rapidly improving.

The fast rising township of Maori Point is getting on rapidly, although buried in the wild fastnesses of these ranges. On the east side of the river there are 2 butchers' shops, 1 bakery, 1 library, 5 stores; and a Mr. Baker, from the Jordan in Victoria, is putting up a hotel. On the western side of the river is the police camp, and a gold office for the Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Wilson, of Wilson's Beach, is putting up a good timber building, and Mr. Bracken has a spacious building up also, in which is an office for the buying of gold for the Union Bank. Mr. Baker, late of Queenstown, with Matthew Bryers, a halt-caste, have also got up a large place. These houses of course are intended to be licensed Ihere are three stores, and a bakery is in the course of erection by Mr. Murphy. I understand Mr. M'Beath from Arthur s Point, is about to put up a place. The new court house has been built on the terrace beyond the police camp. It is a very good timber building, and the site is very well chosen. It would be well if the police were removed to the same place, as it would not leave the men who are stationed here in such danger from the insecurity of the ground above the camp. The Commissioner has got all his work to do here. From this to Skipper's and above the Sandhills, is no joke to tramp on every case. W. Campbell and party (the old Maori claim) are opening a splendid paddock. They are assisted by some of the United Company's men, because part of their ground adjoins Campbell's; and the ground being so valuable, if Campbell took his stuff out the United Co.'s gold would be running through the gravel into their claim. A Warden's case was held on the ground a few days ago, when the Commissioner decided that both parties should work the boundary together. Mr. Nuby, from Queenstown, purchased a share in a beach-claim here, on Monday last, for £7O from Win. Irwine. Mr. Nuby has put a man on at £7 per week. John Jones has sold a share in Powell's claim above the gorge, for £IOO. 1 believe another share is open for sale in the same. Mr Peryman, of the Bank of New Zealand, has purchased a half-share from Matthew Bryers for the sum of £l5O, and I am informed Mr. Chrisiie Bracken has purchased the other i'oi the same money On Jack B's Beach the river is beautifully turned, and some of the parties have already opened paddocks and are taking out the gold. If the weather but continue fine, as it now is, some men on this will be well repaid for their lost time since Christmas last.

We had a fall of rain here last night, but it wa» very light. It was snowing on the high ranges. The river suffered nothing. A great number of men are at work to-day pulling in the last of the crates. I think the liver will be wholly running through the races before Saturday; as it is, a great deal of water is now going down through them, and great | anxiety prevails on the part of the miners, j whose hopes are depending on the weather. ! The road from Arthur's Point to this is in j a fearful state. The track cut out by the i Government is by far the worst. It is no I exaggeration when I say that it is knee-deep, ' and in some parts most dangerous for the i unfortunate pack-horses. Parts of the road ! are covered with snow, but a great many accommodation tents are being put up lately. September 18. The rush that occurred last week has proved of some good to this district, inasmuch as numbers of the disappointed are wending their way to to the upper or right branch of the Shotover, and also to the upper part of Skipper's Creek. Both places I am confident will prove rich goldfields. I have it from one of the oldest miners of California and Victoria that it is his opinion the Shotover is the richest river hitherto discovered in the known world, and I cordially endorse his opinion, i not only from my own personal observation, j but from that of the most experienced miners. A miner, on the creek immediately above Stony Creek, whilst fumbling with his gun, , discharged the piece, which lodged a bullet , in his arm, entering at the elbow and coming out at the shoulder. The man is now in the | hospital, where I have no doubt every kind- : ness and attention will be shown him. Several j convalescents have returned from that noble j institution, who all speak in high terms of | the internal arrangements and the treatment j of the resident surgeon. Should things pro- , sper, the funds of the hospital will not suffer i in this quarter. | A narrow escape from drowning occurred on Saturday last. A miner, while in the act | of securing firewood, incautiously went beyond his depth, and although a first-rate swimmer, was instantaneously carried round by the whirlpool: and but for the prompt and courageous efforts of the ferryman— R »bert Layman, he would have met with a watery grave. Too much praise cannot be , awarded to " Bob," who is well worthy of the reputation he bears. I trust that the Government, when they take into considera-

tion the expediency of erecting a bridge over ! this river, will remember the services rendered to the public generally by Bob, and will not turn a deaf ear to his claim for compensation. I have just seen a two ounce nugget, which is reported to have come from the West; Coast, but I very much doubt the authen- ; ticity of this report. [Tht above was received too jatefor our last issue.]