BLACKS No 1.

Dunstan Times, Issue 225, 17 August 1866, Page 2

BLACKS No 1.

[from our own correspondent.] Although time never converts old age to youth, it, nevertheless, frequently brings about even more than early vigour to old goldfields. Black's is an old goldfield of considerable note, and its 'ups' and • downs,' in the estimation of the miners, have been exceedingly numerous for the last three years and ft half. During all its changeable aspects'it has ever proved a remunerative field to every one who persevered in drawirg on its resources. The numerous terraces and gulhes of the district are, without exception, auriferous; they yielded fair weekly wages even when the wash dirt had to be conveyed a long distance to water. Ihe days of carting and carrying wash-dirt, however, are now over, an*; the water of four more races, of considerable magnitude, will at an early date, be available to sluice the high ground in the district. The Golden Gate water-race has been in for a lengthy period, and that of WaUh's nartv, will commence operations during the current week, and labour for a considerable number of hands will be the result; all that is needed towards working the terraces and gullies, has eiiher been accomplished or is in progress. Most readers of mining intelligence, haye frequently been told that a very extensive flat extends between the skirts of the terraces and the M*nuherikia river. Although this table ground was proved to be highly auriferous three years past, no attempt, of any moment, was made previous to the close of last year, to drain it of the large amount of water it coniains. At the period mentioned, a party of men undertook toforma,veiy cap.cious tail-race, to drain the ground, and the result proved in eveiy respect, satisfactory; and, at the same time, beneficial to a large number of others. The miners and tradesmen of the district, are at present organising themselves for the purpose if memorealsing the Government upon the subject of draining the flat effectively. Jhe Warden, lam informed, deem« the action intended by the resident* not an unreasonable one and Mr Mining Surveyor t'ottes, is expected hourly to pass his opinion as to , the practicability of the project, and probable cosi : of the undertaking. Slwuld the Government be ' induced to advance the necessary capital, a large . extent of ground would at once become workable, and every sixpence would, in time, be returned to the ' Government Trea nry. while hundreds of the mining [ popula'ion would become immeasurably benefited. There is not sufficient private capital amorgst thp miners at present to carry out this desirable work, , and, as no prospect exists of its being carried out. except, through the aid of the (iovcrnroent; ! therefore n> trouble must be spared to place the ma'ter before the authorities in the most intelligible light. There are men amongst us of more than ordinary , intelligence, and who are determined on making Black's one of the most flourishing goldfields in ' Otago. if perseverance on their part can be of any service. On Friday and Saturday last, a ' rush' took pla-e on the flat, owing to Campbell aud party having struck highly payable ground! The adjoining claim, although not properly bottomed, gave satisfactory signs of being payable. It is generally believed, that a new run of auriferous ground has • been discovered, but it would be premature to place implicit reliance on the lesult of the discovery for the present. A second public meeting is to be' held in a few days, touching the proposed monster drain channel, and to deliberate as to the most advisable course to be pursued, towards securing the aid of the Government in its construction. I anticipate being in a position to forward you, in my next correspondence, a full report of the meeting, and one that will prove the miners of Black's to be possessed of much more than commonplace energy and intelligence. The Hospital Local Committee met at the Shamrock Hotel, on Morday evening last, hut owing to the proceedings being of a private character, I am unable to report what passed. I may, however, mention that funds are being actively collected, and the amount is likely to be highly creditable to the miners and residents generally.