SUMMARY OF INTELLIGENCE FOR TRANSMISSION TO MELBOURNE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 366, 21 February 1863, Page 5

SUMMARY OF INTELLIGENCE FOR TRANSMISSION TO MELBOURNE.

Our last Summary was published o.n the 16th, tor the English mail. Since that date no change of importance has, occurred in. mining affairs, and the accounts from the Wakatip.U .diggings continue to be of the same favorable character. The large arrivals from Melbourne have mostly proceeded at once up to the diggings, not staying in Dunedin longer than to provide /the necessary outfit.; The greatest activity prevailed in the town during the temporary stay of the miners, and as the outfit for the long and tedious journey to the Lakes is of a rather expensive kind, including pack horses,, and the usual mining appliances, a large amount of money changed hands. Since the departure-of the miners up the country the town has been rather dull, and but very few people returning from the diggings. _ . • ■ The continued prosperity of the Wakatipu diggings >is manifested by the increase of the escort, which is expected to arrive in Dunedin on Monday. The quantity to arrivefrom the Wakiitipu is about 28,000 ounces, and the Dunstan over 8,000. These amounts, with the addition of the quantity from Tuapeka and Waitahunawill make the incoming escort probably ovor 40,0000z. The steady prosperty of the Wakatipu field has resulted in a most, astonishing change in, this hitherto deserted region. Townships, thickly planted with buildings, many of them of a,substantial character, are now established at various points of the Lake, and as communication is afforded by a perfect fleet of boats and a stgamer which latter commenced plying the other^'dny; and several others are on the way up. Writing on the 16th February, our special correspondent gives the following description of the new townships : — . "•■'■■■ Queenstown will always be a township, . but it is not the natural centre of this vast district or the best suited by position to command the trade of tbe surrounding districts. It has no agricultural resources around it, and the Shotover and its tributaries, from which it derives its chief importance, can be mote easily served by the Arrow or Frank ton. It is indebted for its origin to Mr Rees, who had his head station here, and being in the first clays of the rush the only providere, people flocked in here for their supplies. Messra Dundas and Government Surveyors being on the spot, Mr Bees got them to lay out what at that time was to have been a private township, Mr Kees leasing out the building allotments. This part of the arrangement fell to the ground, in consequence of the Government not givingl Mr Kees tbe pre-emptive right for which he was applying. The streets being well defined, the town has, without question,l assumed an appearance of regularity which makes it the finest in tliis respect of all its gold field compeers. At present it is a city of canvas, the only building of any other class being the iron Branch Bank of New South Wales. None will, deny to it beauty of situation, but this has already been noticed.: Fortuitous circumstances have thus had a great deal to do with the formation of this township. Aa a centre it depends for its prosperity upon the Moke, the twelve miles, the twenty-five miles, not those of the Skotover and the Arrow, but those ot the Lake. But the chief source of strength is felt in the extension of the diggings at the head of the Lake, on or about tue Kees and Bart rivers. Wo doubt, that if not this year, that next one this part of the district will fully realise the expectations formed of it. It is doubtful, however, whether the gpeafc advantages expected Irom these diggings will fall to the share of the sanguine people of Queenstown, for as soon as their extension would justify it, the boats would convey goods direct from the Kingston depot, passing Queenstown by altogether. "Still several advantages must issue from the visits of the miners to sell or deposit their gold, and take the relaxation they occasionally allow themselves. Queenstown possesses many advantages over the Arrow Township, as gpods cau be more readily conveyed to it, and timber is readily procurable. To the Arrow everything has for the present to be packed on horses—a most serious drawback to the progress of any place. The hotels, amusements and general comforts are far greater in Queenstown than on the Arrow, and the place has a more settled and refined appearance. In retail business it cannot compete with the Arrow Township, though in every other respect it is much superior to it. Like Dunedin, Queenstown has ifs two jetties, and another one on a larger scale about to 'be built. As in Dunedin, these are the favorite places of resort, and around them are to be found bands of men discussing affairs, while they are forming their own plans, or awaiting some expected information from some quarter or another. Here, also, is to be seen tbe genuine "loafer" and idler; and the arrival and departure of the boats is almost as much a matter of interest as the steamers that go and come to the greater jetty of the grander Dunedin, One steamer—the Nugget, lately running betwe.n Dunedin and tbe Vauxball Gardens—is now plying on the Lake. . Her first trip was made on "the fourteenth, nmt with eight tons of cargo and passengers ; and the trip was made from Kingston in three hours and a half. The wood used was scrub, and the distance made twenty-five milea. Two other steamers are reported to be on the way. There is pleuty of room tor them during the summer season; but how they will manage during the winter depends entirely upon the nature of that season, and whether mining operations can be carried on. Facilities and rapidity of communication will greatly tend to the openingup of the district at the head of the Lake, and of which very little is known at present. The value of building allotments is about a pound a foot frontage, held under the business license clause of the gold fields regulations. This tenure is most insecure, as the place is four miles distant from the limits of the proclaimed gold field, and consequently you hold your property by the force of might, rather than under the protection of tbe Jaw.

An opinion is daily paining ground that, the Shotover wul be workable during the winter, andboatsare already promising to convey up supplies duringthis season. As far as the bed of the Shotover is concerned," the working of it may be looked upon as certain, whether its tributaries will he worked is doubtful. During winter the severe cold must tend to freze the wash dirt, but some say it is warm enough, to wash. These are only problematical conclusions, as no one has yet made the experiment. The dirt may freeze that will be taken from the river bed but it will be piled up for milder weather. Men will not lose the chance of a pile if they can help it, but I am afraid great suffering and disappointment must ensue, and thnt however valiant the boast of to-day under a glorious sun may be, the attempt to falty carry it out will not be so easy a task.' Should the Shotover prove workable much of its present trade will be .diverted from the Arrow during^the winter months to both Fraukton and this township. The Moke Creek, the Twenty-five Mile and the whole of the workings in that direction are:likely "to be totally unworkable during the winter. , , „'••■,".' The enly. new discovery of any note is a prospecting claim granted tpTyneand party, for a place about eleven miles beyond Fen's Oreek (twelve miles). .It is a creek running into the Lake," and the prospect obtained was from three feet sinking, but the only, result they give in support of their application is one ounce out of a hole 4 ieetby 2: feet. ■ It is probable this is not the true result. • : . ;", ,'. The escort will he about 28,000 ounces, showing an increase upon the last; The-Arrow and/Qaeenstciwn will send equal quantities, and the^mifaers will deposit about one-half. The escort will not leave till, the'; 18th, but it has closed at the Arrow, and will close here to-morrow. ■ I have not as yet been able to gain the full particulars of the miners deposits, , " : .According to the latest accounts' from the Dunstan, the river 'was falling' fast, and it,is^ confidently expected that in a short time it*,'will be low enough to allow the working of the bars and beaches which are' expected to yield enormous results. . . . : ■ ~ '••, ■' ;'';-'■•:''

. >' A new code of regulations to meet the peculiar character of the new creek and river diggings have been published, a concise summary of whifch' appeared in our issue of yesterday.' ' "'..;' '..', ■ Thoi direct exportatiofof gold to Englan^,is likely to be on a large scale; the Chile which cleared out on the*lßth with 29,977 ounces, is the second gold ship this season.

Accounts, have;.beeh received from pur specia1 correspondent attached to, the exploring expedition under Dr Hector. i.Tlio expedition has now entered on the unknown rejrions of the west/ and the results 'will be, anxiously looked for. Two successful attempts to reach the West coast overland have. been made by private parties/ One gcntlenmn, Mr Cameron, undertook- the journey '. .alone,aiid succeeded in reaching- the; xoiratr near Awarua River. The other "party consisted oi Messra ■Syuiros and Sutcliffe,; of jDunodinr who also reached: the coast' in safety, and report valuable mineralogical discoveries; ;. r - '• ■ The forthcoming Champion -Race Meeting is occupying great.'intention; and everything prognosticates a-brilliant-meeting'. The following is a list of the entriesand acceptances:—- ' ; .-■•. ■ MAIDBV PLATE. . / • . D. Cors&n'iblk g, Ulack Doctor , O. Cole's eh h, Flying Dutchman '. ' j ,-, IJ. Stepbenson's br jr Kangaroo S. Blackwell's b g, Melton , ; S. Cole's b gy Yourifr Abdalla . ' .. <;.S..Saxton'abf, Kathleen ■ _ ' '.' "■■ ■ - ' •' . : CJIAMPIOS. RACE. . : ' .. D. Corsivn'B br c, A;)tonell j • , . H. H. StftfibrU's h in, Ultima . ' , ■ S. BlackweH'3 b g, Shillelagh .: '~ H. P. Lance's.bm,. Revoke ■ : ; . H. Kenwood junr's rlnn; Lady Bird •■' P. «f. Keig):r:m's.br li, Mormon '_. ; . ■' DDSEBIN-HANDICAP.' '■'■ • . C. G. Cole's «h{r, young' Alma. ageil, 9?t slb H. Bedwcod's eh inyWainien, 5 yrs, 9st 21b .. JD. Corsan'3 b fr r Partisan,-age 1, 9.st.'. . . ; S. Blackwell's bg( Melton, 5 yrs, 7st 121b D. Corsan's b m, Lucy Glitters, afft'rt^st 101b , , H/P. -Lance's eh g,.(iolden Cloud, 3 yra; 7st 81b: .:...,. HANDICAP. HURDLE BAOK. . ' C, C. Cole's bg, Uani.el. Webster , jD. Stephenson's.br g, Kangaroo ; .$. Cole's gin,.Alice . B. Pike' 3 b g, Falcon : i - ----- PUBLICANS'". I'ORSB. . " : D. Corsah'a bile g, Black Doctor. CO. Cole's eh g. Young Alma. ' ■ S. Blackwell's bg, Melton. S. ■ Cole's tir c, Camaralzaman. 11. P. Limce's b in, Kevoke. - , H. Redwood's junrs, eh m La<.ly\Bird. . . ■ P. J. Keiglnan's br h Mormon. r .. ;',....\: LADIES* rtJRIE.' , S^Cole'sbr c, Cainaralzaman. [ H. P. Lance's bm, Jievuke . • . - H. Redwood junr's, eh m, Ladygßird; i . OTAGO JOCKEY CLUB GREAT HAMOTOAP. P. J. Keigliran's br h Mormon, asreH, lOst lib S; Wlf;efcweJl's b g ■ShHiilajJ'.'ajteci", Ost 2!b : H. P. Lance's b m, Hevoke, 5 yrs, 9st H, Redwood's eh mWaimea, 5 years, 9st H.H. Stafford's bm Ultima, iifiei,-B.<t 121b ; < C. <". Cole's cfc g Young Ahna, nged,'Bst 121b , j D. Covsan's l> g Partisan, nged, 8;t 101b. I). Corsan's br c Antonelii, 4 yrs, Bst7ib I). Corsan's blk g Black Doctor, 5 yra, Sst j H. P. Lonce's eh g Golden Cloud, 3 yrs, 7s^6lb. SELLIKO RACK. D. Corsnn's b m, Lucy Glitters, L3O, C. C. Cole's eh g, Young Alma, LIOO. C. C. Cole's eh h, Fljing Dutchman, L7O. D. Stevenson's b g Scrubber, LSO S. Cole's b g Young Abdalla, LSO ' P. J. Keighran's br g Joe Smith, LSO HANDICAP TROTTIUQ RACE. C C. Cole's br g, Kooket, 5 yrs, list 71b , C. 0. Cole's b g, Frenchman, agsd lOst 71b 0. B. Bird's b g. Major, aged, lOst 71b A. G. Fisher's eh m. Flora Temple, aged, 9.rt 71b HANDICAP MKEPLEOHASE. ' C. C. Cole's b g, Daniel Webster J. Cole's b g, Birthday B. Pike's b g, Falcon . TOWJJ PLATE. ' D. Corsan's br c, Antonelli D. Corsan'a blk r, Black DectorT C. C. Cole's eh g, Younor Alma H, 11. Stafford's b m, Ultima S. Blackwell's b g, Shelalagh. H. P. Lance's bm, Revoke ....-■ H. P, lance's eh g, (Jolden Cloud ' "H. Redwood junr's eh m, Lfldy Bird P. J. Keighrau's br h, Mormon. The Governor has proclaimed the dissolution of the Provincial Council, and the forthcoming elections are creating considerable public attention. The election for Superintendent is likely to be an exciting contest. Two candidates arc in the field, the Hon. John IJyde Harris and Major Richardson, who has signified his intention to stand for re-election, .-.-..