MINING NOTES.

Lake County Press, Issue 57, 5 July 1872, Page 3

MINING NOTES.

(From an Occasional Correspondent.)

Whitechapel Plat.

Some little excitement was caused on Monday last by some of the race parties whose race are approaching the head of the flat finding that the pegs marking their several lines of route were not to be found. It appears that these pegs have not been maintained as the law requires, and claims had been taken up and other races cut irrespective of them, '■jine very lively discussions took place between the various parties interested, until a member of the Miners’ Association produced an enormous blue book in which was found a judgment of Mr Judge Gray bearing on the subject. This decided the matter, and those who had neglected to maintain their pegs had to take up fresh lines for their races. It seems that nothing will make miners sufficient!} careful about marking claims, &c., in a strict legal manner; or if they do, still less will they maintain them. I do not think that many claims in the whole district are in compliance with the law in this respect, and miners must not complain if they have to suffer for their neglect The yield of gold from the various claims now working is on the increase and a large number of additional claims hare been marked out in consequence.

Kawarau.

The sluicing claims continue to yield fair returns.

An accident occurred on Saturday last to a miner named David Brodie. While working in a tail-race, some 20

feet in depth, a portion of the side slipped in and buried his legs. He was extricated by Lis mates after about three hours’ hard work, and has escaped any very severe injury, although he will not be able to work for some time.

The flat below the Nevis Bluff will shortly be under work. It is the terminus of the Welshman’s race, from Iti e head of Doolau’s Creek—some 14 miles in length. Some nice residences are springing up on the flat, and Divine service is held on Sundays by the residents. At the Nevis Ferry, Mr Edwards has made great improvements to his house and garden, and the place, viewed from the higher ground around, has a very cosy look. The road from Arrowtown is dreadfully soft, and the waggons are got over |it with difficulty. Your correspondent met, on Sunday last, two heavily loaded waggons going down, and thought it a matter of regret that waggoners could not he brought to observe the Sabbath. Although it has been asserted that you I cannot make men virtuous by Act of Parliament, a fine strictly enfo ced for such offences as this might have a | salutary effect.

Cardrona.

From this place we learn that a shaft has struck good gold on the flat at a depth of 90 feet. A great deal of bottom water has to be overcome. As lignite is procurable, ac engine on the flat would assist the miners materially. At Branch Creek the claims are turning out well. The gold is very fine, and the introduction of copper plates coated with quicksilver, as used at the West Coast, would be advantageous.

John Chinaman, it seems, is not to have it all ids own way in this part of the Cardrona. Most of the claims are owned by Europeans, who also possess most of the available water supply.