Notes from Wakation. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 20

Notes from Wakation. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Arrovvtown, September 29. — The success of the Meg and Annie dredge, Gibbston, Kawarau, haa very naturally had a firming effect upon Kawarau scrip generally. Indeed, there is a very decided upward tendency noticeable in all Kawarau stook. However, it should be borne in mind that the claims directly affected by it end with the Morven Ferry at the upper end and with the Eawarjiu Consolidated at its lower end: the claims lie between the Morven Ferry and the Kawarau Consolidated have rock for bottom. The country above tho Morven Ferry, claim is of quite a different nature, the main, bottom dipping away, and a false one takes its place, the sams as i"3 the case in the Giutha above the Lowbvjrn Junction. The Dart dredge is beginning to take sharce and form. After a host of difficulties the building of the pontoons has begun. As the greater bulk comprising all the heavy parts of the machinery has ai'rived upon the ground, the completion of the dredge should not be delayed. The erection of <.he machinery oa board thp Arthur's Point pontoons is progressing well, and the parts are coming to hand, though sometimes rather tardily. Cotter and— party's claim, at the Left Hand Branch, Shotover Branches, is likely to be heard of soon. The ground is to be worked on the hydraulic plan, and water being scarce, a large storage dam bas been constructed. When the party get to work something sensational is likely to be heard of their doings. The Left Hand Branch was one of the fancy spots of the Wakatipu in the early days. The Moonlight No. 1 Company are now about getting at their face again, having completed the deepening of tiieir tail race, which will make a large piece of ground available for attack. The Moonlight No. 2 Company have a full complement of hands on laying down pipes and fluming, which, when finished, will complete the race, all the earth and rock being disposed of. Thp Arrow Flat Hydraulic Company ere finishing off laying down their pierces, and in a week, or at most two, will be ready to make a start at taking out a paddock. The Arrow Big Beach Hydraulic Company have got through the surface deposit of tailings, and, with ordinary luck, should soon furnish proof of the quality of the ground. Hydraulicing is also progressing at the head of Lake Wakatipu. Counting in the CTeeks falling into the la!!:o on its eastern shore, there is a large field for enterprise. The Dart and the Rees- Rivers, with their tributaries, are, of course, the chief scene of attraction. Contrary to general acceptation, coarse gold i 3 met with in the upper reaches of tEe Dart, some very encouraging prospects having been obtained. Dredge-building is being pushed on with all possible speed at Cardrona, and good progress is now being made. A- rise in the temperattire during the last few days and a hot sun have cleared off a good deal of the spring-fallen snow from tho hills, raising the rivers proportionately.