Upper Clutha.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 352, 5 February 1903, Page 4

Upper Clutha.

(From Our Own Correspondent). The tracing of the lead on the Olutha progresses slowly, but surely. The New Royal Maori Company,whose claim near Cromwell is nearly worked out, took an option over a claim on the Clutha at the foot of Five-mile Creek held by Werner and party, and a borehole was bottomed, last week, on pipeclay bottom at about 46ft. The sinking went through 20ft of top gravel carrying a little gold, then some 18ft of false bottom, and then a seam of heavy wash about 7 to 8 feet thick and carrying gold right through. This is evidently the heavy seam that obtains in the Rise and Shine claim, three or four miles further down. This will give the whole district a better outlook, and it goes to show what this district has to ihank their County Councillors for, as when, two years ago, a few enterprising individuals were willing to tax themselves to prospect the river by boring, and asked the Council's assistance to the extent of the amount paid as rent on the claims, these wiseacres said * no,' and had the presumption to tell the applicants that there was no gold in the Clutfaa. This goes to show at what cost to the community incapable persons are sometimes returned to responsible positions. But for the stubbornness of two or three individuals we would in all likelihood before now be receiving revenue from what, I believe, will prove one of the best dredging fields in the Colony.