THE LAKE DIGGINGS.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 65, 19 June 1863, Page 3

THE LAKE DIGGINGS.

(From the Wukaiip Mail.) It is needless to state that the Shotcver is dull, and that no gold is bdr.<r obtained ; for the heavy losses aciueing from tho heavy floods have brought everything to a standstill. After the rain of Sunday week the rivor, in a few hours, rose to a height never vet witnessed by any residing here, causing loss and devastation throughout its course ; cradles, pumps, tools of every description, bridges, boats, sand bags, tents, and huts were borne along by the impetuous current. Never could such a catastrophe have occurred at a woise time, for hundieds whose patience had stood the test for months of hard labor and selidenial, have seen their work swept before them, at the time whc.i their golden dreams were about to be milled. Amongst the sufferers are Giant and party, who had all but completed a most extensive cutting immediately below the Gorge at the Skipper's Junction ; every trace of the work has disappeared, and they estimate their loss at over A" 1000. Bergen's bridge, the communication between Butcher's Point and Skipper's was taken bodiiy away and deposited entire soree distance below. This was supposed strong enough to resist any flood, having been, ironbolted to the rocks on either side of the river. At Maori Point the same tale of destruction has to be told. The workings of the United Gold Mining Company suffered materially, and we are informed by the shareholders that £800 would not cover the loss they have sustained ; and Sullivan's Company, which had successfully turned the river and got fairly to work, are reported to have been injured to the amount of £1,500, but we have been informed they are successfully washing away the accumulation of sand and gravel in their cutting, and the loss will not be so great as was expected. At Wilson's beach the works are levelled, Wilson's and another party having sustained damage amounting to £500 each. The big nice at Arthur's Point has received considerable injury, and that in the lower gorge has entirely disappeared. Many from n-cessity are compelled to sell out and relinquish their task, but most of the companies are returning to work with vigour to repair their losses. The topic at Skipper's is still Protection and the roads. Handbills have been issued, convening a public meeting, for the purpose of forwarding a deputation to the Government on these subjects. The inhabitants of Arthur's Point are indignant at the removal of the Camp to Frankton, and there is some talk of calling a public rr.eeting to petition the Government against it. Ftankton is no doubt the nearest and best road for those of the Upper Shotover, but the miners from Arthur's Point will be greatly inconvenienced by the change.

THE FINGAL GOLDFIPLD3. From the Launceston Examiner, June 2.) Prom information received in town yesterday, we learn that Stuart and his two mates are still engaged cutting the nice at the head of Black Horse Gully for the purpose of carrying off th= water. The race is to be 200 yards in length, and some 40 yards have been cut. at a depth of from ten to fourteen feet, the men bottoming as they go along. In consequence of being thus employed they have been able to obtain only a small quanlily of the precious metal, but a considerable quantity of the stuff they are throwing up is expected to prove very rich, a few tubs which were tested \he other day. previous to the departure for town of one of the party for supplies, showing first-rate prospects. The party have at present between two and three ounces of gold on hand. It being necessary to make the race of the length mentioned above, and as the men would be put to considerable expense both of time and money in performing the work, Mr Edwards, when at the iilack Boy a short lime since, made an application, on behalf of the party, to the Commisioner, B P Stuart, Esq., that a claim 500 yards by 100 yards, instead of the usual mining claim, might be granted to them. This request has, we are glad to say, been kindly acceded to by the Commissioner, and the men have thus been to a certain exient rewarded for their enterprise and pluck. We may be allowed to suggest that if there is on hand any portion of the fands raised some time since to keep Edwards' party at work at the Black Boy, it might be profitably employed in assisting Stuart and his mates in their enterprising task. We may mention that two of these men formerly belonged to Edwaid's party, and that they are now working on the same ground from which that party obtained the gold brought by them to town.