THE LAKE DISTRICT.

Otago Witness, Issue 748, 31 March 1866, Page 6

THE LAKE DISTRICT.

(FROM THE DAILY TIMES CORRESPONDENT.)

20th March.

A new quartz reef has been discovered, in the immediate neighborhood of the Arrow, by a parfy of Germans, who had been prospecting for some weeks in the locality. Considerable excitement reigns in consequence, as, in the opinion of the experienced, the appearances are more than promising. The following is a copy of the notice published by the Warden : — " Camp, Arrowtown, 19th March, 1866. "In accordance with section 4 of Regulation 3, I, Lowther Broad, Warden, do hereby give notice that I have this day granted a prospecting claim on an auriferous quar'z reef to William Bringezu, John Boir, and Charles ßeuge. The locality

is agully which I have named German Gully r about two-and-a half miles from Arrowtown, running from the Crown liange to the Arrow River. The best road is by following the Bracken Gully track, to the top of tbe first terrace aM then turning to tha right a 1 on 5 Hazleiind party's race. The csing ot the reef rontam payable sold, and tho reef it3flf s wdl defined, "and abo'it three f 'et wide The area granted to the pnnrif-tnrg i 3i 3 P.no fjet along the course of the lode, by 100 fret on each side, The ground on either s-i le of the prospector's claim for a distance of 400 yard", ha 3 been pegged out and applied "for under the Mining Lease Regulation.

"Lowrncß Broad, Warden."

The reef has been opened out for some 10 or 12 feet, lying only a few feet below the surface; its course is nearly north and south; the walls perpendicular and the inclination very sharp; the prospectors are working up expecting to hit the crown, the auriferous qualities of which may be taken as a fair test of the value of the reef. The casing runs about ldwt. to the dish. The locality is at the head of a gully, by no means steep, running directly into the Arrow River, and forming the bed of a small creek, of perhaps three sluice heaJa. Besides this immediate supply, two larger creeks— the Fire- mile and Seven-mile— can easily be diverted, and brought upon the line of reef for the purpose of-work-ing machinery. It will also be a work of no great magnitude to construct a tramway down the gully to the Arrow, so that, should the reef prove as good a3 is expected, there are no difficulties in the way of crushing the stone upon the spot. Three new Companies — the "Ajax," " Achilles," and " Caledonian," have already applied for mining leases, upon the presumed line of the reef. Of these, the southernmost peg of the Ajax is not ten feet from original shaft of the prospectors. The Criterion Company are progressing with their work? : but have been delayed considerably waiting for timber, owing to some mistake of the contractors. They are commencing to pet out stone, which is of a very proinising character, ajd ap^enr-s net likely to be deficient in quantity. S uire^ a^e not to be had, except at a very hiuh Hgure, and were quokd yes'.erday at L7O. The Piutus and Jupiter Companies, who hold ground ad- . jacent on either s'de to the Criterion, have this day completed registration under the Mining Companies Limited Liability Act, 186.3, and will at once proceed to call meetings for the purpose ot eLcting Directors, &c. YTe m>y exp_cl, therefore, to sse thoin at work -v thin a month at the outfide. The Barr.icouti as yet shows no bign of life, altroiuh spoken of as -uccessfully floated. T; c Xew Orlean?, Columbian, and Who'd ha' Thought It, will all complete re--istrati.,a in a ftv/ days, so that dip vvholj line or the Arrow Ilctf will be fairly zested befoxv tha winter. At Skippers, -eve- al n.w rvnia.,' leases have been appliu! Lr, and mmy pros,;eormg parties are oat on <li 2 ra- g.-o. I;i Perry's claim, a large lody of s'ono has bed: struck of a very rich qn \lity throu ,'hout. 'I he greatest pare of the nnoliinery of f his party is already on the ground S^nthberg's party cxp.ct to have their machine! y erected (Aid ready for cn^Ln^ ia six weeks. The late /me v .Either nus beou vuy favorable for cho carriage of heavy weights along the tracks, and the lowre-s of the river has romovtd one great iiupetli nent, which ifc was almost fs.irod v.ould be iusurerable. In alluvial ruining there is nothing of impoitance to report;— the B ; g Btiach Company, Arthur's Point, continue to meet v>iih success, and have been declaring good dividends. The climate during the last fortnight lies been most enjoyable; bright clear weather, with a regular harvest temperature. Nearly all the crops have been successfully housed ; the potatoes unfortunately, as stated iv a former report, were almost univers illy ruined by an untimely fro;t.

Gn-at dis-atisfaction is generally felt throughout the district at the apathy of the Government with regard to our immediate requirements ia the way of repairs and construction of roads and tracks. The Superintendent comes up, he promises; Moss and "his man Friday" come up, they promise; the Council votes money, yet nothing is done, nor seems likely to be done. The main road via Kawarau is becoa)ing rapidly mythical. It ia to be hoped the distinguished pair above alluded to will_ make another excursion up here in the winter; they may make sure of a pleasant journey and a warm reception. In the matter of the enclosure of the cemeteries, agaiD, nothing has been even initiated, though the attention of the present Provincial Treasurer was called to the urgent necessity of this work as long ago as last June by a late member for the Gold Fields.

The telegraphic correspondent of the " Ly Helton Times" at Hokitiki, states, under date March 19th:— " Mrs Kinder, with her biotber and father, arrived to-day, in the Susannah Booth, from Sydney. An immense crowd collected on tho wharf to bcs her."