THE LAKE DISTRICT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 784, 22 June 1864, Page 5

THE LAKE DISTRICT.

(from our o w~n correspondent.)

loth June.

Snow has fallen heavily ye?terday and to-day. and tlie flats are covered to the depth of several inches ; this evening there is a partial thaw, with ram and sleet, weather which may fairly- be considered uncomfortable. It is to bs feared the miners will suffer a-great deal, as work, they must while the rivers continue low, and for those especially who have to fcta:d loDgin She watsv its present temperature is very trying-. We are ai-e now also, as a community, n-aping the fruits of the (Government trifling and delay ;tboub the roids and tracks. La<t week the longtdkel of Twelve Mile was actually commenced seven weeks after the acceptance of the tender?, and now it becomes a question whether ths work will not have to be suspended, from the state the ground is in owing to the severe fronts oa the higher elevation. The "same may ne said a? to the Maori Point track, the most neees-ary part of which, along the Long Gully, is not even commenced, and can hardly be finished this winter, except under most favorable circumstances. The main trunk road between the Arrow and Queensto wn was just commenced near Arthur's Voiut aud then abandoned, and nothing having been done about the Hayes Creek roud, us it i 3 called, there really is no s;-.ie communication between the two townships. The choice lies between the muddy swamps of the Arthur's Poiat route, almost impassable between that plaeo and Queens town, or the old familkr danger of the brushwood bridge over 11 ayes Creek—the uncertain Shetover, with its shifting fjids., anil Ihe abominable four miles of bush track from Frank ton. Thtee days ago information reached me that some 40 men had been taken off the road between the Roaring Meg and Arrow, and thar. indeed only the masons are kept on; so our chances of seeingl ths country opened out are sliil very shadowy, though we have h"d promises enough to have a road through to Dunedin. This district would really appear to be left to work its own way aud play the eminent character of the willing horsa. The only practicable bridges over the Shotover, at Maori and Aithuc's Points, have been constructed by private enterprise, the same with the tracks from the former place to Skipper's aud other points of mining activity oa the Upper Shotover. Whi'e on this subject, a feat performei by a party of miners, two days ago, is worthy of mention. The poor picker who nearly lost his life going to the CarJrona last week, was Jyiiiff there in a dangerous state, and it was very desirable ha should be taken to the H-.spital. Twenty noble fellows volunteered to leave their work in tha valley and to c^irry the sufferers on a stretch over the laity Crown itauge through the ice and snow, they with great labor and difficulty successfully accomplished this, and Jeiryis now comfortably located at the Hospital with every chance of ultimate recovery.

The rivers continue very low, and every day accounts reach me of fresh successes. A party of young men on she Arrow, well known to me, lodged loßoz this afternoon; this is the result of a iaw days' work, and was taken from a very email a> ea. in the river bed. Oddly enough this very strip of ground, some few feet wide, was the subject of a suit in the Warden's Court some six weeks ago, decided in favor of the fortunate holders by a very slight preponderance of evidence. The other party have taken 901b weight altogether from tluir own claim.

Extended claims for sluicing at and about the Twelve Aiile (Arrow) are being continually taken up, and a stta !y population seems settling cbwa in this part of the district. There are already between the Eight and Twelve Mile ten water races in full work, all constructions of magnitude, and representing conside able capital. Mauv are brought distances of miles, ani m most instances have required a-great extent of flaming. At present several of the sluicing1 companies are engaged in cutting tail races, for the more effective carrying on ef the work, and as much blasting is required, &c, a good deal of time will necessarily be occupied before they w:;shup again. This may probably affect to some extent the escort re urns.

Late accounts from the Shotover continue satisfactory ; the weather, is reported however, to be very severe. At several points, a new style of digging, for this district, has been commenced, viz., sinking1 paddocks in what we is ay call the old banks immediately under the terraces, some success has already rewarded the experiment. An important work has just been completed at Stapleton Beach, 2 miles betow Maori Point, of which mention was aeeideatly omittsd in my last report. Cameron's party have brought in a race ef several sluice heads from the Deep Greek, for the purpose of working two large overshot wheels "with pumps. They expect them to keep the ground clear of water, and save the encrm us expence otherwise requisite, of kespiug gangs of hised men day and night at the pumpj. At Queenstown the question of pro3pec!ingtae neighboring terraces still excites a good deal of public attention. Opinions upon the ways and means are very conflicting, but all unite in determining that something shall be done to test the ground throughout, and not ailow its auriferous deposits to remain undisturbed for years, while the " steed is starving," which would grow fat on their development. It would probably bs the best place for the Comrnifcteea to put on men to prospect, and having thus? ascertained where the treasures are pajable to bring water and let it to the miners at a fixed rate for sluicing. This would certainly answer better than supplementary parties, as wa3 tried in the Gorge, for under such circumstances work is apt to be very bad, and is never carried out with that spirit which actuates individual exertion, and often, in tliia country, through the greatest physical difficulties, achieves well merited success.

The Bank of Opago have erected a very handsome little building in Ballarat street. It is conimodiously and elegantly fitted up, and towers above the rest of the township—unique in its two stories. Several large well-built stores have lately been completed, and every month gives tne place a more settle! look. I'hi3 time last year, canvas was the rule, wood the exception; now, substantial buildings, with some pretension to architectural embellishment,! form the principal streets; and many of the shops and hotels would not disgrace Dunedin. There is a great apathy throughout the district on the subject of the Exhibition next year. No interest whatever seems to be taken in it by any class of the community. The truth is that the '* battle of life " sufficiently occupies the minds of most of us on the diggings. However, we must hope, as time draws on, that attention will be more generally awakened, so that, at all events, the aaturnl products of the country maybe properly classed and represented. The local Committee have given signs of life, and are fortunate in having, ior their hon. sec, a gentleman of some scientific knowledge of geology and mineralogy ; the proceedings as yet, however, have been simply initiatory. The Arrow Local Committee have not yet held a meeting, but one is under immediate consideration.

The Church of England Committee sit now with closed doors for some reason or other, so that nothing can be said as to their doings or prospects. The appointment of a clergyman seems as far off as ever. Mr Cooper Searle, who at one time was expected to receive the appointment, has seceded from the Church and established a Congregational Chapel at luvercargill. Mr Beethatn continues to officiate as lay-reader, and is now organizing a choir, the value of a first-rate harmonium having been, raised by subscription. The Catholic Body still retain the valuable services of Father Duhig, who works the District in a most indefatigable manner, and regardless of climate and weather visits the miners in every part of it at regular intervals. The Masonic Hall is used by the National School at a nominal rental, and it is gratifying to state that the number of children attendius; is steadily increasing under the management of Mr Brown, who is highly respected as a well qualified and zealous master* Mr Reuben Harris, on his return from town brought with him the necessary authority from the Provincial GK M. to open the "Lake Lodge of Ophir,' 1 and it is probable that the consecration and installation will take place with all due solemnity in a short time. A grand Masonic Ball is contemplated on tbia occasion.