UPPER WAIKAIA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1217, 27 January 1886, Page 3

UPPER WAIKAIA.

{From owr own Correspondent. ) Since I last wrote nothing of much importance has occurred here. Of course we join in the general complaint as to the drought, which has reduced vegetation to a minimum, and the prospects of both producers and consumers are poor indeed.

The river is very low, and the Chinese miners are reaping the advantage ; while, on the other hand, several claims owned by Europeans are at a standstill, the principal reason being want of funds to complete the opening up of the claims. There is one claim m particular that is splendidly situated, first- rate gold having been obtained above and below it, and from first to last fully £2,000 having been expended on it, that is now idle for the want of £50, or even less, to complete the opening of it up. Work has been commenced on the road through the bush. The work, as you are no doubt aware, is in the hands of the Southland County Council, who are going to have it done by day labor (83 per day) ; and here let me warn any one from coming any distance to look for a job, as there is only £1000 to be expended and there are plenty of hands on the spot. I cannot understand why the Vincent County do not complete the road down the spur into the bush. There must be something wrong somewhere. The Vincent County Engineer has been sent out to inspect the road. If the engineer has pasßed the road, I am surprised, as it is impassable for drays ; whilst if the engineer has not passed it he ought to see that the road is made passable. As to the saw-mill that was to have been erected here, nothing is heard now-a-days, as no one has been here in connec tion with it since Che site was taken up above twelve months ago. lam beginning to think that the Alexandra people, as well as the Vincent County Council, are getting lukewarm in the matter.