WETHERSTONE'S

Otago Daily Times, Issue 670, 10 February 1864, Page 6

WETHERSTONE'S

(from ottr own correspondent.) Former residents, who have been away from this neighborhood for some months and returned cannot fail to notice a marked improvement in the state of affairs here generally. In comparison with most of the other gold fields in the Province, fora prosperous and healthy appearance, this certainly ranks amongst the foremost, and the miners that have been working here any length of time, appear to have formed a resolution to remain, and many old hands are returning. The dwellings, also, begin to assume more the appearance of homes, and in many instances well furnished gardens are attached to them. In most cases I notice an air of content amongst the miners, who are for the most part in receipt of steady decent wages. A few are doing much more than this, but these are exceptions. The ■extended claims on the Flat are for the most part turning out well, and the shareholders are much to be praised for their steady application, under the very p-eat difficulties which they have to encounter. I would especially mention a claim worked by Messrs Adams and Co: the operations are beginning to assume very large dimensions, and 1 believe as many as thirty men are in their employ. A company has lately been formed for managing another extended claim on the other side of the Storm .Channel, the working of which will be carried on on a larger scale still. The gullies in the neighborhood of Bank Town, between Waitahuna and Waipori, about' four miles from here, are being worked with varied succees, some very large specimens of gold having been brought from that quarter; .•■• I myself had a nugget in my hand yesterday,: weighing twentysix ounces odd, which' was obtained, from that neighborhood.. ..■.-,. ;.... : '~: ■ : The summer is fast' passing away, and the memory of our,last winter here leads us to hope that1, the Government will' exert themselves towards the formation of ai road between the district and the township of Lawrence, the present road having been in many places absolutely impassable. ' ' ■ .!.-.-,.■. ■•-,-•,;,.:: We have established a cricket club here., Last Mocdaywe played the Lawrence Club on our own ground, the match terminating jui favor of the latter, a detailed, account of which I notice your having received from a Lawrence correspondent. A grand supper was held in the evening at the Sportsman's Arms Hotel, af which Major Croker, our; Warden, presided. This was followed by a ball, which was kept up with great spirit till a late hour. This new hotel may be looked upon as the upcountry ." Provincial;" great credit being due to the proprietor, Mr George Webb, for the admirable taste displayed in the. building: and the large amount of capital that had been expended, speaks volumes for the confidence felt in the stability of the mining operations in the neighborhood/ 7