Notes from Wakatipu. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1974, 19 September 1889, Page 12

Notes from Wakatipu. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

September 16.— Wheu It is stated that it took an experienced officer like Mr Warden Wood the beat part of three days to dispose of the number of applications for mining privileges of all kinds that were brought before him at Queenstewn and Arrow last week, some idea may bo formed o f the large am unt of business done. A fact like the foregoing will perhaps go further to convince discerning persons as to the vitality that pervades the various branches of tne mining industry than would the most glowing reports of company promoters, engineers, or other mining experts. The greater part of the business transacted was relating to ordinary claims, dams, racts, and ho forth. About 12 special river claims had been surveyed since the warden's last visit, and applications for them were heard and granted at this sitting, mauy having been adjourned for survey. The moat of the claims that were granted on this occasion are on the Kawarau, and seeing that dredging on anj thing like an extensive scale is a comparatively new induutry in these parts, perhaps it will not be amiss to enumerate them here, notwithstanding that it will take a lot of space to do it. It must be explained, however, that in several cases the names of applicants only c-sn be given, because the holdings are not christened as yet. They are Bet down here in the order in which they were gran f ed, and were as follows s-J. F. Healey, Morven Ferry (the bone of contention) ; Kawarau Big Beach Dredging Company, adjoining Jenkins and Chapman's ; E. A. Pnrke'e, described in the application as the T?rankton Beach Dredging Company; Walter Hislop. near Gentla Annie creek; George E. Tucker's, near the Hoariug Meg; S. W. Wilson, mouth of KevisfMver; Churle* S. Beeves, Oweu's Eerry to Arrow* river; William Reid, east side of Kawarau rWer, and adjoining Horaesbon Bend Company's cUim -, .Tames Hazlett, adjoining Held, Stewart, Angelo, and party, junction of Arrow and Kawarau rivers ; W. Mullholland, between Morven Ferry and Heeves' claim ; Gilbert and party, junction of Kawarau and Shotover rivers ; H. M"Bride, Kaw«rau river.

As was expected, the possession of come of the claims was not arranged without litigation. In the jumping case, Mr Mouat of Dunedin was brought up to do battle against Mr Tmto.-i, who acted for the jumpers, and a number of witnesses were subpoenaed for both sides. Notwithstanding all this the affair ended in the most prosaic manner' possible. The original ownera were allowed to retain the portion they first pegged— that adjoining Fyrke's holding; while Mullholland was granted the lower part as already mentioned, The legal combat that took place over the ownership of another claim on the Kawarau. but a bit higher up, and sear the holding of the Horseshoe Bend Company, was a good deal more lively. She claimants were Mr M'Bride and party and a Ur Kinvlg. Mr W. 0. M'Gregor, of

your city, was retained for the gentleman with the Celtic name, and Mr Turton took up the cudgels for theiposßessor of the horse-like patronymic. Mr Turton fought bravely, but the weight of evidence was against him, and the Celts therefore won the day. Bid Bbach Claim.— ln connection with this claim I wonder whether Mesata Oallender and Gore were aware, when they so cavalierly attempted to controvert tha extremely moderate comments made by the Daily Times regarding the manner in which it was decided to handicap Intending investors, that the part of the holding they have been working is entirely new, and not eld, ground as asserted by them. The fact is this piece could not be worked in the ordinary way, because the river narrows at the mouth of the gorge, and consequently the water was too , deep. For several hundreds of yards higher up the river is very wide/hence the water is usually shallow, so that this part has been worked over and over again both by Chinese and Still higher up, however, towards the gorge below the bridge, there is another goodly-sized block of ground which [ is almost certain to pay well. Above the bridge is also a piece of ground where a party of men made about £600 per man in a few weeks, but they, went on the spree and before they became lober a big flood came and covered up their claim, and it remains pretty well in that itate to this day. Provided a dredge could be got to work it, there if little doubt that good returns could be got frem it. While granting the special river olaims last week, the warden pointed out that tome of the arena applied for wer« too large, and when referred to the , Minister of Mines he would no doubt be found of that opinion. Mr Wood intimated also that he wanted from all applicants for rirer claims a statement, to be forwarded to the Minister of Mines, as to the size of dredges they purpose using, and whether they are to be worked by steam, water, or electricity. Also to atate the supposed depth of the ground, and the time they intend to bejin werking. He said he had no wish to hurry or harass them in any way, but it was necessary to have th« above statement " in black and white " before the Miniiter of Mines will confirm the granting of the applications.