Notes from Wakatinu.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 21

Notes from Wakatinu.

(From Oub Own Corbespondent.)

ARROWTOWN, February 3.— Several works, all of considerable magnitude of the good old sluicing or hydraulicmg description, recently xu.dertaken, are now progressing satisfactorily towards completion. Those most advanced ai-p the Arrow Flat Hydraulic Company, who are turning on the water and Jiave, as a mat + er of course, to battle with those inseparable difficulties that beset 'every new race m liilly and precipitious country. Fortunately, this time of year is the most favourable, and when winter" comes round, it is to. be hoped everything will.be in good going order. The Big Beach Hydraulic Company, Arrow River, held its statutory meeting at the offica of the company on Saturday last, at which Mr J. Thompson, the energetic manager of the company, attended, stating that a large and substantial tailings dam had been built in Bracken's Gully, that everything was ready for putting the pressure pipes in position, and that in about a month's time a start might be made with actual work.

The Arrow Falls Tunnel Company are now entering the open part of the river, where a heavy deposit of gold may confidently be expected. The company and its manager, Mr J. Miller, have persevered under a host of trying difficulties, and deserve to be richly rewarded for the pluck disx^layed and the confidence they have in their ultimate success. This undertaking was originally one of Sir Michael Davis'g specs, of Melbourne boom memor}-, and has been, with short intermission, in operation for upwards of ten years, changing hands, I believe, three or four times. The total amount of moiiey spent upon the work cannot be far shortof £20,000. Good progress is also making with thi Moonlight No. 2 Sluicing Company, andif favoured T?y circumstances a start with actual sluicing may be made before winter sets in.

In quartz mining and dredging nothing new has tianspired, but several dredges are now in

a, forward state of construction, and before winter may be in active operation. The Rolling Stone Company, Cardroiia, are just about ready to &tait.