The recent heavy rains caused a great deal of damage to some of the races — in some cases the worst experienced for many years.
Near to Aspinall’s old holding is Gates’s claim, which is situated just below the bridge.
This energetic miner is tunnelling under the river, which is a method of mining quite new to the Shotover.
— The Skippers Sluicing Company is now in full swing again, and is sluicing a cut towards Grace’s old run.
This company should get some good returns, as the ground ahead, which was tunnelled in the early days, is extraordinarily rich.
Just below the Skippers Company’s claim is Paterson Bros. claim, Stony Creek.
This party is still working away under full pressure.
— Situated near the junction of Moke Creek is Oxenbridge and Party’s holdings.
This claim has proved to be a very rich one, and some very profitable returns should be recorded from this claim before long.
M’Mullan and Party, who have shifted their plant across the river to the willows, are sluicing away steadily.
They should strike a good run of gold where they are, as some rich patches were got in the early days, leading into the ground which is at present being worked.
• Otago Women’s Patriotic Association workers have had a very busy time during the last few weeks: 169 large cases contain 5618 parcels for France, 450 for Egypt, and 16 large packages for H. M. S. New Zealand — a total of 6083 — a little more than Otago and Southland’s quota for the Dominion Gift Parcels scheme.
Besides the Christmas parcels, the usual transport gift kits (400) were shipped — 60 for Otago and Southland men on the Tofua, care of Lieutenant Welch, and 340 on the Willochra care of Captain Buxton.
These parcels, which are always greatly appreciated, are handed out a day or two before the transport’s arrival at her destination.
The secretary of the association has received a letter from Alexandria, Egypt, expressing appreciation for a present of home-made jam and canned fruit sent by the association.
In the course of the letter the writer states:— "I am running the invalid kitchen with a friend, and we give out the jams to the different wards either with blanc-manges and pudding, or else direct for the men to have with bread and butter. One sister came down specially to thank us for one pudding on which we had put some of your jam, and told us the men had said it was the first bit of home they had had for 18 months. The men are all most interested to know it has been sent from New Zealand." — ODT, 14.10.1916
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
