Friday.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 28, 6 November 1885, Page 9

Friday.

In mining (says the Cromwell Argiu), as in other things, distance lends enchantment to the view, and the fact of two or three partiea who did well at Oriffel last season going to Dunedin, and very likely making the most of their good luck, created & furore, as if the whole range was an Eldorado, and many made their way there who had never worked at mining in their lives, and became utterly disgusted that they could not at once drop on a good claim. As far as we can ascertain from all sources, tbe fact is the most of the claims taken up laat season are known to be good. A number of claims have been taken up in tbe vicinity and been prospected with more or less success, but undoubtedly the be* t ground was taken np at first. The top of the Pisa range- miles in extent— is, so far as this season is concerned a perfect terra incognita. As it is still covered with snow, very little prospecting can be done for at least a month yet. On the lowtr slope of the rauge, on tae Midran, several claims 'are working, but we do not hear of anything better than good wages. The great waut undoubtedly is water, which is difficult to bring on to the ground. One party has obtained aright for the head of water of the Roaring Meg and will commence cutting the race as soon as the snow gets off • but aa it is about 17 miles in length, and the working season very short, it will be so me time before it can be got in. There are other applications from the same sourer, but it is very doubtful if any but tbe very bead water will be high enongh to command the ground. There does n<->t appear to be much foundation for the rumours which have been lecently circulated, to the effect that Mr. H. A. Bcott has made arrangements in London for tbe construction of the West Coast and Nelson railways. It appears, however, that certain negotiations on tbe (subject are pending, though no definite information has yet been received as to the probability of success. It is said that some of those who held back until tbe matter was on the point of being witb.dra.wn have now made overtures to the delegates, and that consequently negotiations are pending for an arrangement under the terms of the contract between the guarantors and the Government, ilessts. Fell and Sclanders, two gentlemen of long experience in London, the brothers of the Nelson delegates are now associated with Mr. Scott in the matter. King Milau of t-ervia has addressed a diplomatic note to the European Powers, in which he states that he is auxioue to uphold the integrity of the Treaty of Berlin, and he has no intention of breaking the peace The news of the reported revolution in Mandalay, and the death of King Theebaw is not confirmed, and the rumour is believed to be devoid of lruth. News is to hand of a severe storm on the coast of Labrador which has wrecked 80 fishing boats The loss of life was very great' no less than 80 men being known to have been drowned. '