MOUNT IDA.

Otago Witness, Issue 715, 12 August 1865, Page 8

MOUNT IDA.

(from a correspondent.) 7th August, 1865.

The frost has been severe during the last fortnight, and in consequence the miners have not been able to do much »york, as the gates of the dams are frozen, and business has, consequently, become very dull ; but of course we must expect weather at this time of the year, and we may have it for a week or two more. After that we can look forward to flourishing times for the diggers and business people. The Enterprise Company have not their branch race completed yet ; it will take j some weeks, as the weather is very unfavorable for them. This is a race brought from the Eweburn in to the original race belonging to the company. When completed it will supply a great quantity of water. Wages at the race are four pounds per week, and the men only had two days' work last week through the severity of the weather. lam afraid we shall lose a great number of our population on account of the good news coming in from the G-rey. A share in the Hit-or-Miss claim changed hands last week for £300. The new tail race projected by Carling and party down the Flat is progressing rapidly. They will have about 6 miles to cut, Bnd expect it to be finished in two months. They intend working the gully in a face when the race is completed, but money and labor have to be greatly expended on it before it is finished. Our mails arrive more regularly than usual. Several new buildings have been erected since I wrote to you last, and I must not forget to mention that Mr George, of the Victoria Hotel, has enlarged his billiard room, which has been newly painted, &c. His new billiard | table, lately arrived, gives universal satisfaction. This is one of the handsomest rooms here, and now others will follow his example. It seems a wrong notion here, with some, that they do not study the public benefit. On Wednesday evening last, a supper was given to Mr J. S. M'lntosh, of the Bank of New Zealand, who is about to be removed to the Branch Bank at Macrae's Flat, and who has resided here over two years amongst us. He is esteemed by all, and much respected. • About twenty-five persons sat down to supper. The chair was taken by T. Draper, Esq., of Bank of New Zealand. After a great number of toasts and songß had beea given, the com- j pany broke np, after spending one of the

pleasantest evenings that one could wiehJ* In addition to our old friend Mr M'lntosh, who has left us, we are about to lose another, B. R. Baird, Esq., officer ia charge. He leaves us to-morrow for Macrae's Flat. Mr George, of the Victoria, is tfoing to give him a supper, ami about a dozen iuvitation card" have hi en given: the supper comes off to - nis»?it. Mr Aylmer, late of the Lakes, is expected here in a few days to take charge during the summer. We hope to be well supplied with vegetables, as I counted no less than 24 ! half acres of ground have been turned up, which, when the proper times arrives, will be ready for necessary seed, &c. lam sorry to inform you that Vickery and Party's seam of lignite has run out. They have been now two \veek3 prospecting for another seam ; but without any result, so we are now entirely depending on the old seam of Christie and Co. Provisions are very reasonable here. Meat, 6d to lOd; bread, 2s; and other articles equally as cheap. One thing we want, i 3 cheap water for the miners; and then the place will look up. The weather now is clear and frosty; fine sunshiny day, but freezing in the shade.