QUARTZ REEF POINT.

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

QUARTZ REEF POINT.

(FROM A C0BB8BPOKDBST.)

Ist August.

Last week has been a time of great reoicing for the people of Quartz Reef Point, being the occasion of the Nil Desperandum Company closing their main breakwater, as the inhabitants of the district were agreeably surprised at so long and tedious an undertaking coming to a close, there being a great uncertainty on the minds of many as to the practicablity of diverting so large a body of water as the Clutha at this place. It is now upwards of ten months since the company first commenced operations on their breakwatersand claims. During that period they have had to contend with many difficulties, through floods and other unlooked-for causes. As the work progressed, the body of water compressed into a narrow compass, acting with tremendous force upon toe opposite abutment, repeatedly swept all before it, notwithstanding its being built of large i-tones and timber. On one occasion of a flood, 150 ft of dam with abutment, disappeared in one night. It being 3 dangerous matter to cross large stones in the self-acting boat, their only resource left was to procure upwards of 200 green hides, made into bags filled with gravel, to build the abutment up afresh from deep water ; according as the Company anticipated, what with favourable weather, they resisted the great force of water admirably, enabling them at last to close that never ending gap, which kept receding from them like an ignis tatuus. I may state it is incredible the power such a body of water has acting upon a loose gravelly bottom, shifting many thousand tons of grarel and stone into deep water below. The cost of the breakwater has far exceeded the first estimates drawn up by them. The costs up to the present date are — L 2076 14s 2d sterling ; length of first breakwater, 150 f t; width at the base, 20ft; top, 6ft; height, 15ft — in front of this an earthen dam of a 20ft base, brought up at an angle of 45 deg ; length main breakwater, 28ft ; width base, 24ft ; top, 6ft ; height, 15ft — behind thi3 will be constructed an earthen dam of the same dimensions. According to estimation they will complete the whole in December, 1865. On the eventful day of closing, all the ladies of Quartz Reef Point graced the occasion with their presence. The company were prepared to receive them with a grand salute, fired from stone artillery — adopting the primitive method of using gunpowder — accompanied by smaller firearms. A most interesting feature of the day, was the great spirit of emulation amongst the ladies as to which should be the favoured one first to cross over upon the island. It was decided early in the day, the honor falling upon Miss Annie Thomas, daughter to Mr E. Thomas, of this place, who gracefully tripped along on the stepping-stones which first appeared above the fearful rush of waters, when she was greeted by all with deafening cheers. During the afternoon, the stone artillery kept bellowing forth fire and smoke,'reverberating far up the valley of the Clutha, the smaller firearms joining in chorus. All then retired down the island, where many bumpers were filled and toast 3 drunk, and several songs were sung with good taste. The afternoon getting chilly, a huge bonfire was lighted up, diffusing its genial warmth on all around, tending much to enliven the scene. Darkness coming on, all adjourned to Mr Terrain's Hotel. First class music being provided, all joined in the lively dance, and the merry laugh at the comic songs ; great harmony prevailed during the evening. The sports were kept up until the morning star shone high over the mountain ranges. When the works are completed the company contemplate keeping holiday and grand fete.