SHORTLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1490, 3 September 1868, Page 5

SHORTLAND.

September 2, (fboii oue own coreespoxdent.)

We have now continual sliowers, which make the roads across the ranges difficult to travel on. Xam told by old colonists that this is a very deceptive month for the weather, and we must look out for rain and wind. lam sorry for this, as it will greatly impede operations.

I went this morning a short journey up the Waiolabi and visited some of the claims. The Union Gold Mining Company (late Sweeney's) are turning out some fine stufi' and Lave an abundance of quartz ready for crushing as soon as arrangements can be made for its transport to the machine of Johnson and Du Moulin. I saw some parties on the ground surveying and taking levels for the purpose of a tramway, and should this be done it will be of great importance to the claims in and about the Union Company's—so far as I could judge I see no impediment in carrying out n tramway, and the shareholders in the adjoining claims would " burke," their interest if they stood in the way of it.

The Beehive Claim (taking its name from tho fact that the original shareholders found a beehive on it, containing 40 lbs. of honey) have already commenced tomake a tramway irom their claim to Du Moulin's machine, and they have the frame-work laid, but I fear they will, if carried out, find it difficult to work, being too steep. The tramway has been laid on the adjoining claim, Peep of Day, but there is now some dispute as to "the authority given for permission to make the way. I am strongly of opinion that all claims in the vicinity of l)u Moulin's machine should work in harmony. The preparation of tramways (for roads are no use there) should be their first consideration, seeing that without it it is an impossibility to get a crushing. I know that the Union Company are willing to co-operate towards making a tramway, and it is for the Peep of Day and others to consider their own interests to carry out this very desirable plan. To explain to your readers on paper, the necessity of these proceedings would take longer than the time it would to inspect. Johnson and Du Moulin's machine has been stopped for some time undergoing extensive and important alterations in the machinery, tables, &c. They have, as far as I can judge, taken a wrinkle" from a model (the Kurunui), and I hope they will find the advantage of it. It has twelve stampers, and with efficient appendages should do some work. The Eureka shareholders shared a splendid crushing a short time since, and are on the way for another. This is one of the prettiest claims I have seen for some time. They have a drive of about ninety feet on the Waiotahi side, and intend driving on the other side with the hope of catching the same leader. They have a tramway from the mouth of the drive to a position by means of a shute their quartz is easily sent into the Victoria Battery. I thought that if all the claims, or even the best ones, had this facility what a return there would be. I wish there was. Applications have been made for two tramways between this and Graham's Town. This, if carried out, will be a great boon. The Deputy Superintendent and the Prof, vincial Secretary arrived here last evening. I is to be hoped that something decisive will be done whilst they are here. I am glad in one way it is wet to-day, so they have an experience of Shortland roads. What object they hare in view I know not, but a public meeting would soon settle something. The wharf or rather landing place which I wrote you hadcommenced is being rapidly pushed on ; the sooner the better. At a sale of land yesterday at Graham's Town, some allotments fetched from 10s to 84s 6d per foot ground rent per annum, being an average on 37 allotments of about £2. I should like to eee a trade here to support these prices, which are exceedingly high. I have heard of parties being stuck up by some lazy vagrants. As this is on the increase, I hope the police will push the case as much as possible, that the parties may be severely punished.