THE WAKAMARINA GOLD FIELD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XIII, Issue 1013, 3 April 1878, Page 6

THE WAKAMARINA GOLD FIELD.

* [From our own Correspondent] Three parties have now amalgamated, and procured protection for their claims, while they bottom one. The inflow of water has been greatly exaggerated, at the worst it is not more than one bucket of water to one of dirt, and the miners seem to think it will be less when through the drift ; they intend working night and day, four shjfts of men will steadily persevere until the result can be satisfactorily obtained. Opinions differ considerably about the distance required to construct a water race for working this terrace, judging from the best authority obtainable ; it will not exceed two miles, taken from Mountain Gamp Greek. Another party* has already commenced putting down a' shaft on the flat behind Canvas Town. When sinking a well a few weeks ago near the new Schoolhouse there at the foot of the hill, those engaged particularly' noticed when down about twelve feet they came on to nothing but drift , sand, similar to that noticed at the river, thus adding some testimony to the theory already advanced about its being the old river course ; should.any payable prospect be obtained there will be a large mining field opened. I am credibly informed that Messrs Lloyd and Thompson have discovered a gold-beaming reef, not far from the Wellington prospectors ; they pegged off on Friday. No doubt this week will establish forcertain what I distance the present lead of gold found by the Darkies party extends, and thus encourage a mining population to visit the district. To those miners who will not wait for this result, it may be satisfactory to know that the Wakamarina is the only river m the district that has ever been fairly prospected. The following is the text of a private telegram forwarded to Wellington from Havelock on Monday last :— " Considerable excitement m. the Wakamarina district on 'account of the reported new alluvial find on Goldfiefd. A new terrace was opened by " Darkie Arthur " while " hatting " on the eastern riverbank, about six miles from Canvastown, one mile south of Mountain camp Creek. A drive was made into the wash dirt, and one ounce three dwts. to the ' sett' obtained. They could not bottom on account of water, and a tail race is now being deepened, and the ground on the Terrace pegged out for three quarters of. a mile. The two claims, one south and the other north of ( Darkie Arthurs,' are on similar wash dirt, and

presumably payable, but the inflow of water ia very igreat. Leahy and party to south are making a tail race and Mulcahay and party to north working night and day to keep water down and bottom. The difficulty with all claims to north and towards Mountain Camp Creek is a large hard reef between Terrace and the river, which mustbe tunnelled to get water off. Another difficulty is want of water for sluice ing, as rights to present head races are now vested and at the outside are only sufficient for three, claims. Any additional available head of water must be brought from a distance of five miles: at least, over a difficult run of country. About 20 strange diggers are now on the ground, and a few are m Havelock, but there is nothing to justify a rush at present. Unfounded rumors m Picton and the Wairau as to a rush have caused this. The whole district is "patchy," and until something more definite occurs, diggers should not believe reports emanating from a distance. I have spent two days m going over the ground, and although good payable ground may be found the area is limited. It is reported m Canvastown to-night that Lloyd, a Wellington prospector had found a quartz reef and struck gold, but the report lacks confirmation, and nothing can be •believed heard off the ground. Two claims on Darkies Terrace are panning ofjf this afternoon and will send result when obtained on the ground. The present sinking is about 47 feet from the Burface and although there is a good fall for tailraces to the river the distance varies from three to 'five hundred feet, and consequently it is no " poor man's diggings."