THE KAWARAU.

Southland Times, Volume 3, Issue 102, 16 October 1863, Page 3

THE KAWARAU.

(From the Correspondent of the Wdkatip Mail) October 7, 1863. The weather for the greater portion of the past week has been stormy and severe — frequent heavy showers of hail and rain, the wind blowing a perfect hurricane from the north-west, putting to a se/vere test the capabilities of our canvas dwellings. lam happy to say, however, only two of the stores yielded up their roofs to the angry element, without any further damage. The rain which fell on Monday night so raised the Lngget Creek that travellers were unable to cross it next day. I have heard Sergeant Leslie say the water was nearly up to the pommel of his saddle when crossing.

A few days ago two horses came gallopping across the plains to the Kawarau lliver, near the coal pits, about a quarter ot a mile to the township, and swam, to the infinite surprise and astonishment cf all the onlookers, to the opposite or south side of the river. One of them was brought back by its master, and the other was seen at intervals for a couple days afterwards looking wistfully, it appeared, after its absent comrade. Kasper Iloggeman has found in. Smith's Gully, four miles from the Kawarau, the skull of a moa bird, which he took away with him, intending to send it to Dunedin. There is a great many bones of this bird in the same place, some of them measuring from six 10 seven inches in width at the" joint of the claw, and from five to six inches in. circumference. About two hundred diggers are sluicing here, and making fair wages.

Cobb and Co are about laying on a coach from the Dunstan to the Kawarau Junction, on the west side the Clutha river. The Government are about making a road on the east side, in connection with Hill's bridge, which, I am informed is to be widened to admit of drays crossing. This arrangement will bo a great public convenience, and of great service to the township of the Kawarau and the Dunstan, besides con•necting a large tract of country with Dunedin.

Th :re are a great many diggers passing through the Kawarau, on their way to the Nevis, distant from the former place about fourteen miles. The population there is about two thousand, with stores innumerable ; a large portion of the population are merely looking on, and keeping a. sharp watch after prospectors. This class of diggers frequentiy give a field a bad name. Kot having energy to seek for themselves, after a couple of day' delay they become impatient, and leave, pronouncing the place a " shicer," in the wisdom of their vaunted experience not being able to see a spot to suit their wishes. The workings are confined to a few small gullies and terraces near the river, Charles Kelly and party having the best claim, Sluicing is becoming the order of the day, a great many diners Ciminf daily to the Kawarau for sluice- boxes, &c. Mutton is IS. od per lb. ; flour, Is. Last week a party of diggers left the Kawarau Junction to renew their operations on the Cardrona- After tiavelling about twenty miles they were overtaken by a snow storm, and were compelled to retrace their steps. Having lost their track, they returned with much difficulty to the Kawarau, footsore, cold and hungry ; but through Mr jKelly's hospitality, they were soon themselves again. There have been several r djggefs rhrough thi3 township late^y^hnjuiring for a place in this locality .knbwri. as Dead Horse or Hobart Town; Jack's Gully. n " -\- - • \ -. -. .. ?«