Notes from Wakatipu. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1971, 29 August 1889, Page 12

Notes from Wakatipu. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

August 26.— 1t seems that tha dredging boom in the Laktß district ia beginning to attract attention in the neighbouring colonies, for a gentleman here received a communication laat week from a friend in Victoria, asking advice as to which of the claims was most promising, becaubo he was desirous of investing* c "~ it Is rumoured tnafc there is a likelihood of & '• jumping "'once coining before the warden at his visit to the district next month. This bone of contention is at the Old Morven Ferry, Kawarau, and Wflß amongst the flret claims taken up In that locality.' It ie eaid that the persons who flrmt took posaesilon of the ground feel lome curloilty at to the source

from which the " jumpers" got the information that led them to this particular spot, seeing that no claims were marked off on the lower side of it at that time, while there was any quantity of unoccupied ground higher up the river. The Golden Bar Company, Lower Shotover, who have been testing their holding with boring rods, are reported to have bottomed on Saturday last, and got very encouraging prospects. The Big Beach Company are calling tenders in the local papers for the cartage of coals and stores for 12 months. This is mentioned here as being another proof of the confidence the company referred to have in the permanency of satisfactory returns. It certainly looks as if an era of bi^ mining ventures had come. In this connection must be mentioned a revival of the project of driving a tunnel from the Hayes Greek Falls to the Last Chance claim, Bush creek, Arrow, to drain the ground bo that it can be worked. Readers of these notes wilt remember that pretty full particulars of this undertaking were given at the time it was mooted, so that It is not thought necessary to repeat them, It may be briefly stated, however, that the company mentioned spent a great deal of time and money in trying to master the water and reach the bottom, but their efforts turned out unsuccessful, aud the engine, &o. were .sold some months ago. Since that time nothing tangible has been done till last week, when Mr L. U. Beal took the bearings and levels for the proposed tnnnel. The distance is said to be about a mile, with a fall of 48ft. Work on the Arrow river tunnel will most likely be resumed this week. A good many pipes were burst through the frost, but they are now replaced by new ones. This waa about all the injury done, so that operations can be taken up at once now that the frost is disappearing. Parties at Few's creek, Lakeside, are busy working, with every promise of getting good returns shortly. Very few sluicing claims at Skippers, or indeed anywhere on the Upper Shotover, have been able to make a start as yet on account of the frost. Some Chinese working at the head of Cardrona creak have been doing very well lately. To prevent this fact being known they have been selling their gold iv small parcels both in Queenstown and Arrowtown, and quite likely in Cromwell too. It is a splendid sample of coarse gold, and is evidently got from new ground. Among one of the lots sold by them was a piece weighing very nearly loz, white the remainder was of a nice shotty description.

Mr L. O. Beal has been appointed to assist the local staff in surveying the special claims that have recently been taken up in various parts of the district.

Some remarks made by Mr Warden Wood at Queenstown not long since plainly indicate that shepherding does not flud favour in the warden's eyes. He said : " I will grant you four months' protection on account of the frost, but I suppose at the end of that time you will again apply for protection on account of the heat, no water, or something else. There has been too much protection granted in this district already, and it only helps to sacrifice the true Interest of the industry."

(Fbom Another Correspondent.)

Cornubia Mine, Butchers Gully, Skippers.— ln this mine hands have been kept quietly at work, and a small crushing has just been completed. The result was a cake sent; down to the bank last week. The management have not made the weight of the yiel>l public, but I have been able to learn that Ttioz will nob be far out. The mine is exceptionally situated for economical working, being in the middle oE a bush, and the battery is also in very close proximity to the mine, so that from one level at least the stone can be trucked straight to the batteiy paddock. Rich returns may be expected from this mine during the approaching season. Gallant Tipperary, Skippers. — This mine is on its winter footing. Invincible (head of Lake Wakatipu).— Work is almost entirely suspended at the present. Capital is wanted to work the mine on a more extended scale. With proper system this mine Bhould be made to pay well. Premier Company, Maoetown. — Only a few hands are employed in the mine. You are aware that Mr W. J. Parrell Is at present at Home, endeavouring to float a company to work the mine on an improved BVBttm which necessitates increased capital. Tipperary Company, Macetown. — Work on this mine is confined to keeping down the water at present. The old company were brought up standing by reason of the shareholders nob being able to undertake the expense of sinking a main shaft, or, better still, of putting in a low-level adit to work the mine to better advantage. Additional areas have recently been acquired until now the holding comprises some 74 aores. It says little for the old shareholders that they should have drawn £13,500 in dividends for au actual cash outlay on the mine of £120 only. I look upon, this as one of the surest investments in reefing that might be made in the colony. Most of the shares have already been applied for. Sunrise Company, Advance Peak, Macetown.— Work is at present at a standstill, but the paddock is full of stone and a very successful season is before tho company. Shotover Big Beach Dredging Company. — The dredge continues to go good work. The next cleaning up takes place on Saturday. Dredging.— l did Intend to give you a line on dredging prospects, but on the present occasion I could not do the subject justice. Two claims on the Arrow, one on the Kawaru and one on tho Nevis have been marked off, during the week.