EPITOME OF MINING NEWS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 43, 26 September 1863, Page 6

EPITOME OF MINING NEWS.

DUNSTAN. It is scarcely six weeks since the project for testing the auriferous resources of the Dunstan, Flat was first placed in a tangible position for being carried practically into effect, and the result has been that the prospecting tunnel driven in on the bed rock from the river's bank, just below the Police Camp, upon attaining, the length of 240 feet, a prospect consisting of ten buckets of dirt, produced six and a half pennyweights of gold of a coarse and very waterworn description, one piece of which weighed half a pennyweight. That the gieat flat on either side the river is highly auriferous, was always a very generally entertained opinion. The Government at one time caused a shaft to be sunk to the depth of 80 feet, but the result was nil; the rush of water was so great that, with the appliances at hand, the work was obliged to be discontinued, and its end terminated fat:tlly to one of the men employed in drawing the slabs from the abandoned shaft. For a time the idea of testing the flat was abandoned, but a few Earties who were cognizant of the tact of gold aving been obtained from small drives, put in for a few feet along the river's bank at some remote period, conceived the project of the present tunnel, and making the thin? generally known to a few influenzal tradesmen, the present Prospecting Committee was formed. The people subscribed liberally, and a contract for driving a tunnel 255 feet in from the bank of the river, was accepted by the '* Water Race Company," who, being practical miners of considerable experience, carried the work on with great vigor both night and day. Gold was found at different intervals, but nothing like the last prospect, which was obtained on Friday, the 11th inst. At this point, 240 feet, the men on the day shift found the reef, or bed rock, which is geologically termed a " clay slate," that is, a hard, tough, bluish substance, something between slate and pipeclay, suddenly dip inwards towards the flat at an angle of about forty five degrees, and a considerable quantity of water coming oozing up, they fished from out the dip as far as the water would allow them, about ten buckets of dirt, or rather sludge, from which they obtained this very pleasing result. At Pipeclay Gully, Bannnckbura, some very good ground has lately been opened; several parries making each per man from one to two oz a day. The sinking is both dry and shallow. Both at this place and along the Kawarau, mining operations are much improving, and a large addition to the population is daily being made. The rush pronounced a perfect failure, fifteen miles above the Kawarau, is looking up a little. Small parcels of gold were purchased on the Junction Township, by a few storekeepers, and though our correspondent heard of no larger purchase than four ounces, yet we think it augurs well for the rush, and we trust that though there has been some disturbance concerning it, in the shape of tying up the prospectors until about 5 dwts. were obtained by the votaries oflynch law, yet those so used may yet be a»ply repaid for the annoyance of a few excited diggers, for it seems that the rush is paying a few, but will not warrant a general sortie on the place in question.-— Dunstan News. MANUHERIKIA. Along the Manorburn a number of parties are remarkably well* many of them dividing

from six to ten pounds per week a man ; of course there are some not doing much, hut the generality of the parties here are not doing amiss. SAXTON'S BUSH. This place is situated about two miles Dunstan side, off Yorker's shanty, and six miles the other side of Shield'* home station. T ere are .several gullies opened all more or less payable. The sinking fr< m two to fmr feet. Peg Leg Gully appears to bo the main gUily; there are three sluice heads of water running through it. A rush occurred on Wednesday morning last to a gully situate at the head of Peg Leg; sinking two feet; prospects half an ounce per day for two men. Th 1 gold is of a bright color and snotty; slightly water-worn. Many have been working about this quarter for the last two months; population about one hundred, the majority making small wages.— Dunstan News, September 19. HOGBURN. A rush has been lately reported two miles beyond the Hogbura, towards Maravanui Pass; the prospects are of a promising nature. a ■