MATARANGI DISTRICT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 179, 31 July 1896, Page 2

MATARANGI DISTRICT.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)

ItuAOTtiNU, this day.

I paid a visit to the district, and through the courtesy of the manager (Mr Willcox) was shown over the whole of the properties. Operation* were started in the Ocean View section, the distance driven up to date being 500 feeb. Four re.fs have already been cut, averaging fifteen inches, and all of them prospect well. It is inbended to continue thie drive until the Ocean View reef is to hand, which ia expected in another CO foeb of driving. A wheel tramway from tho north of the tunnel will be laid down 60 connect direct to battery, with an easy grade. Additional men will be employed when this is completed, and the battery is bo bo kept constantly going. Ab present there are six men engaged on relays of shifts, and when the reef is cut there will be fully 130 fset of backs, independent of other level.*, and those reefs already cub will then be opened oub. What ia known as the tributera reef is in a distance of 70fb, the reef is about sin and gives prospects of both coarse and fine gold. The tributors who worked this tribute some years ago sent n trial shipment to the Thames and obtained the good yield of 4 to soz to tho ton.

On the eastern side of the rango a winze has boen sunk 40fb. The main cros.cut will connecb with this, and the whole of the working of the mine will bo commenced simhltaneously. Quartz from this eection averaged 2oz to ton.

A drive ia also pub in on bhis porbion of range somo 200fb from the top of winze mentioned. A reef 4ft in thickness haa been met with, but like others for tho present left intaob. There must bo over forty tons, of good-looking, quart.; accumulated ready for battery. In the Matarnngi section a drive has been pub in on bhe same course as the " Ocean View " and in aboub 250 feeb, but not yeb sufficiently far enough in to intersect the reefs in other drives. After 50 foeb of driving a very nice leader abou*. 15 inches wide was cut, which gives excellent prospecbs. The combined area is 140 acres'. A very compacb battery in good working order is on the ground with 15 head of stampers and two " Watson and Denny's" pans, within an easy distance from the claims. Plenty of water is available all the year round.

THE JUMPER.

This claim haa an area of 27 acres, but there is a probability of an amalgamation with the Sterlingworth, an adjoining property. The main drive is in about 90ft. from tho side of the Hill, in a.i easterly direction. In thecrosscut is a good solid reef 18in, and the stone broken out in my presence waa of a very promising character, and prospects well. The manager's object in driving uhead is to cut a'leader outcropping on surface.

MATARANGI SETTLEMENT,

Quite a settlement is springing up; mostly all men engaged have with them their wives and families. Unfortunately for them in this wretched weather, tbey are under canvas whares, the timber ordered for cottages to be erected through unknown circumstances not having arrived. I, however, found them all happy and contented, in betb of health and quibo a happy group. They are favoured with a beautiful sandy beach three miles in extent, running towards Whangapoua Heads. The distance from Kuaotunu is only a few miles. No difficulty is experienced in obtaining supplies by packers, bub foot traffic on accounb of the state of the roads is impossible.