THE MATAURA.

Bruce Herald, Volume II, Issue 46, 23 February 1865, Page 4

THE MATAURA.

Mr Baker, Chief Surveyor of Southland, has visited the Mataura gold fields and reported on them to the Superintendent. He says — " The river, banl^s are considerably higher here than at the ford, aijtd. ar,e not liable (exceptin"' in a case of extraordinary flood) to be inundated. The width of the river is about 120 yards, and the steep. ba^nks render it a desirabls place for a workable punt ; : but,

unfortunately, the ex'stence of a gravel spit in the centre of the stream, which, during the present low state of the river, is not covered with more than twelve inches of water, will render the working of a punt sufficiently large for dray traffic during several of the summer months impassible. A few chains higher up the river is deep the whole way across ; but if a punt was placed here, a landing stage of considerable magnitude would be required on the east bank of the Mataura, as a lagoon skirts along the foot of the high bank on that side of the river. Undoubtedly, as soon as some arrangement can be effected with the Otago Government regarding the leasing of this ferry, private enterprise will (if protected by a proper lease of the ferry rights) erect a workable punt for dray traffic during the frequent floods that this riveris liable to. Three ferries have been established for foot passengers. One (the first on the ground) is a small punt working on a rope extending aci'oss the river. The other two are boats, one worked by some half castes from the Bluff, the other placed on the river by Messrs Wilson and Moffatt, who intend erecting an accommodation house here, which is much wanted, and will prove a great boon to the public." The distance from the Ford to the diggings is about two miles and a half in a direct line, but, owing to a large swamp, making a detour necessary, it is practically seven milts and a half. Mr Baker continues: — "My stay on the gold fields was necessarily short, and as the diggings were widely scattered, I was unable to collect mjch statistical information as to the success of the various miners. So far as I can learn, there are probably between four or five hundred persons scattered over a considerable area of ground. Many of these are undoubtedly making very good wages, if not obtaining any large finds. A good many of the diggers told me that they Avere averaging from seven to ten shillings per day, whilst others complained that they were not making wages ; but I think that good practical miners will, for many months to come, be able to earn a very fair remuneration for their labor. The present diggings are piincipally confined to six or seven gullies, from one to three miles in length, but they are so narrow that a claim is marked out for three or four weeks. The washdirt is from one to six inches in depth, and rests (in most of the gullies) on a slate rock. The gold is exceedingly fine, and strongly impregnated with iron sand, which renders it very difficult to clean. Most of the washdirt is being sluiced, and I think, trom the fineness of the gold, that much of it is lost, when not sluiced by experienced miners. I heard from good amhority, that heavier gold has been struck some miles up the river, but that the want of water will prevent the gully being worked until the rainy season sets in. Complaints were rife on the ground that no miners' rights could be obtained." Referring to ihe statement made by Air Harvey in his report, that the best and shortest route would be by by shipping to the Toi|Tois, Mr Baker sets the result of his observations and enquiries entirely against that view, owing to the shallowness of the river, the existance . 1 the bar at its mouth and the necessity of laying to for chance of wind. He adds from the Toi Tois to the diggings is a distance of 27 .miles, and the road rugged and circuitous. Such is the substance of the official report presented to the Southland Government.