OUR GOLDFIELDS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIV, Issue 255, 16 November 1888, Page 3

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

•— — - '■ THE MAHAKIPAWA. (from ovr own correspondent.) CULIiENSVIIiI/E, NOV. 13. • Since my last ' was despatched I have : taken the opportunity afforded, by a few hours fine weather, of taking a walk up the creek. About 2 hours hard climbing brings the traveller to a spot about a mile above the junction of the right and left hand branches, Anyone going up by the creek bed cannot fail to see that a vast amount of labour has been expended upon the various claims. This is especially so m the claim known as the \fairarapa Claim. Here a paddock has been sunk to a depth of 18 feet, and one of the party told me. that they had expectations of reaching bottom by Saturday next. . This party deserve all they may get, as they have expended a- lot of energy, and not a little engineering skill upon the claim. A little higher up the creek I met Mr Freeth, of Picton, who told me that his son took up an abandoned terrace yesterday, and succeeded m getting over 3dwts for a couple of hours, work. Mclntosh and party are working away with a will, and hayg made a good show. This is a j very bad claim, they haying some immense boulders to contend with. I received information that three shares m the Venture claim changed hands on Saturday last, the buyers being Gardiner and Gallagher, but at what price they would not allow to transpire. The track up the creek is occasionally very steep, and m several places over. 100 feet above the bed of the creek. The traveller is, obliged to take advantage of air sorts of aids m climbing along, sometimes trusting to a root or the support of a friendly suplejack. Many of the claims on the main creek are not benefited by the tracks. During my return by way of the ] creek bed, I met several parties carrying their tucker up, evidently prefering that route to the tracks, as the' gradients are much lighter; I.met Mr Leslie, the artist, going up towards the branch. This gentleman has been spending a few days at Cullensville. There is not much stir at Cullensville just now, everyone agreeing that the last week has been the quietest since the rush broke out. The inhabitants are well provided with amusements, and I hear that Mr Brooker, of Blenheim, intends opening an oyster saloon on Saturday nexf. .The timber arrived this morning, and that gentleman was immediately busy, preparing for the erection of his " show;" Operations m the building line are partially suspended, owing to shortness of the timber supply. A curious story of how the Chinamen were bounced out of their rights, came to my knowledge yesterday. I give it for what it i& worth. It appears j that a certain party sold out to' |' John," deposits were paid, and transfers applied for. : In the meantime the selling parties appear to have eitherrepented or received a better offer for their claim. During the absence of the Chinamen, they accordingly jumped the claim, and returned the Celestials their deposits. They are now looking ,for another spot, being desirous of buying a. creek claim. It is raining hard again, and blowing great gons. There is no sign of it clearing up to-day. "'. ' ' . . ...- Nov. 14-. I paid a visit to Davis and Co's claim tnis morning. 1 It- is situate .opposite the township. Mr Davis kindly^ showed me over the various drives. He informed me that they had great difficulty m dealing with the boulder stones. The claim stands about 100 ft above the creek,- and the wash dirt has to be sent down by ariel trams. Mr. and Mrs A. G. Pell,. of Picton, arrived on the ground this morning.