AN ENTERPRISING PARTY.
The Lake Wakatip Mail publishes a long account of the work just completed of Hogan and party, comprising James Hogan, Patrick Flynn, Michael O'Brien, and Thomas Grindon. Their claim is situated below the junction of those once famous rich gold-bearing streams, the Moke and Moonlight creeks, the beds or channels of which, like those of the Arrow and Shotover rivers and other well-known streams, were celebrated for the auriferous deposits of their beach workings. They represent nature's vast sluice boxes. Being situated in a defile or gorge, they had command of a large area of ground. The object of the work they turned their attention to was to lay bare portions of this narrow confine of the streams named near to their junction with the Shotover river. It may be mentioned that the ground at the junction has proved very rich, and even at the present period is deemed favourable mining ground for dredging operations, and it was contested recently in our Warden's Court. Wing dams, coffers, side races, &c had been tried time after time for the purpose of deviating the streams named, but with usual results of failure. So the party set themselves once more to the task of bodily diverting the united waters through a new flood channel. They first secured the tail races previously constructed and double walled them, and where necessary covered them. These are valuable adjuncts to the new flood race. Their length is about 700 yards and entailed much labour, time, and consequent disappointments. The new flood channel to be constructed by them had therefore to meet the purpose of carrying almost, in toto the waters. To effect this they made a cutting through a spur of solid rock, the width and depth of which is sufficient to carry all the waters except in case of heavy floods. These latter can do no harm to them now; in fact in cases they will be a benefit in removing debris from the ground about to be worked. This undertaking has entailed over two years of work, and the labour is valued at £1000, besides which expenses for material, tools, dynamite, &c, tot up to a little over £500. The works of the flood channel are in solid country, and the streams were turned into it on Thursday (6th inst.) and flowed evenly through, leaving abundant room for a much greater volume of water. In a few hours the bed of the creek was laid bare, and its rocky and gravel formation presented to view, a trickling current only flowing here and there. The formation is evidently of an auriferous character, and some gravel beds in the channel bear testimony to this. It is to be hoped years of most prosperous work will result, this may to some extent be assured to the party, as they have added thereto a tested slip of auriferous ground now available to work upon. Operations must be systematically and carefully carried on, as "spotting" the claim would, in mining parlance, only "mullock it up." It has therefore to be opened out from a lower face at the head of the tail race. It is an encouraging incentive to see the ground before them so open, and capable of being worked at pleasure, and they deserve all the success accruing even if they get "bucketsful of the 'golden spoil.'" They have a full quarter of a mile ready to work upon, and some of it is from six to seven chains in the extreme width. -Otago Daily Times, 19/2/1890
Obituary. — Yesterday week there passed away at the Frankston Hospital Mr James Hogan, one of the very early pioneers of the district. Deceased made the Shotover country his chief hunting-ground, meeting the miner's ups and downs with the fortitude that distinguishes that class of the human hive. He was well known and respected all over these parts, and passed away after an illness of five or six weeks. The funeral took place at the Queenstown Cemetery, starting from St. Joseph's Church, of which deceased was a staunch and consistent member. Rev. Father O'Donnell conducted the obsequies. -Otago Witness, 19/7/1900.
Another of the old landmarks of the district, in the person of Mr John McCarron, passed away at the Wakatipu Hospital on Saturday last, 19th inst. Deceased had been in failing health for some time past, and went into the hospital about a fortnight ago. Deceased's advanced age was against him and therefore he gradually sank under his complaint. The late Mr McCarron was born in Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland, in the year 1830. He came out to Australia about 1857, and in 1861 left New South Wales for Otago, New Zealand. He was one of the first to open up the Arrow River gold-diggings, and he worked in and around the Shotover River for a great many years. He occasionally was very successful in his river claims, but being of a very generous disposition he never made much provision for old age. Deceased was an honest, hardworking, practical miner, and was highly respected in the district. Only one sister, Mrs Duggan, of Laburnum Terrace, Londonderry, Ireland, survives him. The remains were interred in the local cemetery this afternoon. The Rev. Father O'Donnell read the burial service at the grave. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 22/6/1909.
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