OREPUK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1784, 30 January 1886, Page 13

OREPUK.

Januahx 25. — A party left here last week on a prospecting expedition to the Fiord County. They are equipped by the Government, and from what I hear, they intend to give the country a thorough trial. They have been provided with four months' provisions, together with tools, &c, and are in every respect thoroughly equipped. Very great credit is due to the present Minister of Mines for assisting legitimate prospecting, especially as there are so many men out of employment, for men cau scarcely be expected to go on a prospecting tour without some assistance. In the event of gold being found, the whole country is of course benefited by the discovery, and as long as assistance is granted judiciously, there are very few who will not commend the action of the Minister of Mines. Personally I consider that up to the last few months mining has been neglected by the whole communily, and it is a healthy sign to see such an impetus as it is at present receiving. There are several other parties across the Waiau besides the one mentioned above, and people in this district are very sanguine of some of them making a lucky find.

HiusTFiEi/D. — Business people are concentrating their forces in this township. A few months ago a hotel was shifted from the old township to Hirstfield ; now Mr Cassels is removing to the same place, with the intention of only having one establishment, but on a much

larger .scale, in future. Mr M'Pher^on also informs mo that he intends to shift immediately to tho.now township, so that when the Government remove the police camp the old township will present rather a deserted appearance.

Thk Weather. — Wo are having a terribly dry season, so dry that work in some of the claims has actually had to be stopped altogether. These claims in other years have had any amount of water. Of course the dry weather tells very severely on a place that is entirely dependant on its diggings, as this is. The claims being idle simply means a dead loss. What little crops we have, here look fairly well, but if we don't get rain soon the turnips will be very poor indeed.