NOTES FROM THE WAIRAU DIGGINGS.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VI, Issue 1214, 1 April 1884, Page 2

NOTES FROM THE WAIRAU DIGGINGS.

! (From our own Correspondent.) I had the pleasure a few days since of escorting a gentleman over to the diggings, • on the north bank of the Wairau, and was 1 certainly far better pleased with my visit than my thoughts had pictured as I rode my borrowed steed over the rough river bed, and tlnough the gigantic swamp 3 so numerous in that locality. As soon as we arrived at the foot of Birch Hill Creek, we discovered by the colour of the water that some of the mines were indulging in that well-known process “ ground slucing,” and when we reached the two first claims saw that both claims were held by two old identities, who informed us that they had nothing to complain of. While their neighbours assured us that the weekly remuneration was over L 3 a man. No excuse each and both of us made with regard to the inner man would be listened to by the miners, so we proceeded to their I “whares,” and partook of something to eat and drink. My companion remained at No. 1 whilst I went up the creek to visit No. 2 and 3. I The Armchair Goldmining Company are j again testing the reef by putting in a drive 150 feet, which will cost something like I L2OO, and are obtaining splendid pros- I pects, so it is to be hoped that although j goldmining in this locality has been some- I what dull of late, the fresh blood that I appears to be cropping up will shortly bring forth good fruit. It was certainly gratifying to me to see I that several old faces had returned and I were working the ground they had left I months ago, and to hear them say they I were making but little under an ounce per I week per man, and I sincerely wish them I one and all success. I Unfortunately the miners in Tipperary Creek, which is the next below Birch Hill I creek, cannot amicably arrange the water, I , and although all the miners in that gully ' are on payable gold some have for a time to remain idle unil the Warden settles I ] matters. This creek and the adjoining I \ gully during the past four years have j yielded the large amount of over SOOOoz. I