A VISIT TO THE UPPER THAMES DISTRICT. —No. I.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9018, 3 April 1888, Page 5

A VISIT TO THE UPPER THAMES DISTRICT. —No. I.

[FROM OUR own CORRESPONDENT. ] . Knowing that the recent discoveries in the mining industry of the Upper Thames district are at present attracting the attention not only of our own community, but also of others beyond our shores, I determined to visit the most important fields and see for myself the prospects of each ,and the work that was being done to develop the same, and afterwards to send you a report of what I saw. With this object in view, I left the Thames at eight a.m. for Hikutaia, which point I had selected as a centre to work from. Seated on the front seat of Bradley and Co.'s through coach to Te Aroha, with four prancing steeds in front, and the "ribbons" under the control of Mr. Bradley himself, who, in addition to this responsibility, was also most attentive to the wants and comforts of his passengers, the coach sped on its course . along the Thames-Te Aroha Road with quick dispatch, and Puriri, the first point of call, was reached at half-past nine. . The journey to here was a most enjoyable one, the road being in good condition, and the rural scenery passed along the line of route was considerably improved by the dotting here and there of several small homestead farms, all of which looked very snug and comfortablo. After about a quarter of an hour's stay, at Garrett's Puriri Hotel, where a small mail was delivered and one or two passengers dropped, the journey was recommenced. The road beyond, however, did not prove to be in as good a state of repair as that which we . had left behind, there being several deep ruts and mud holes which had to be avoided, but, thanks to the careful driving of Mr. Bradley, these were all safely disposed of. Although I state that the road beyond Puriri to Hikutaia is not in good repair, it is only fair to Bay there are numerous heaps of broken metal alongside waiting to be thrown on to the road, and that a gang of men under the control of _ Mr. P. Trainor was employed at one point in repairing the road and spreading metal. Hikutaia was reached at 10.30, and here I took my leave of the coach. WHANGAMATA. Amongst several other passengers who dismounted here was Mr. James Thomas, who was en route for Whangamata, where he has the control of the prospecting works now being carried on in tne Goldwater Gold Mining Co. ground. I embraced the opportunity thus afforded of having a guide and companion to that new mining district, and here let me return my thanks to Mr. Thomas for his kindness and assistance to me on the rough journey across the ranges, without which I should have fared badly indeed. Whangamata is distant about twenty miles in a north-easterly direction from Hikutaia, and is accessible only by a packhorse- brack over the dividing range of the peninsula and its various spurs and gullies.. Myself, seated on a strong upstanding nag from the Hikutaia stables of Bradley and Co., and Mr. Thomas, on Shank's pony, we left Corbett's Hotel soon after 11 o clock, and at once entered on to the Whangamata road, passing the south end of the hostelry. This in due course brought us to Alley's large paddock, through which we proceeded to the foot of the range up which the southern main line of telegraph wires travel. There a track was struck following the telegraph wires straight on to Whangamata, which cannot very easily be strayed from, but it is the nature and character of the track that causes the difficulty to wayfarers, for the obstacles met with are almost innumerable. To commence with, the ascent to the top of the dividing range is both steep and rough, whilst numerous spurs and gullies have to be ascended and descended and crossed, together with the avoidance of more than plentiful water holes, . mud holes, and boulders. When nearing the top of the range a series of steps, about 200 in number, known to the diggers and packers who use the track as "The Staircase," are met with, which are cut into the rock, and run through a narrow cutting. For a foot traveller to ascend these steps is difficult enough, but to be on horseback means the addition of a severe jolting and shaking experience, so that it is with a sigh of relief the top is reached. What is termed the table land along the ridge is soon after met with, and here the track is corduroyed for a considerable distance through what is termed Fagan's Bush. This brings the traveller to the Tairua River, a fhort distance up which are erected large dams for the floatage of timber. Leaving these dams on our right, the centre spur at the head of the Wharekawa creek is followed to the decline on the Whangamata aide. There a splendid view of the Pacific Ocean on the east Coast is obtained, together with the Whangamata harbour and the Mayor and Alderman Islands, whilst the view of bush scenery, mountains, hills, and valleys almost baffles description. The mining camp is situated at the foot of the spur, but before it is reached some very curious antics are indulged in in endeavouring to traverse the numerous small ridges and steep sideling track, which is also very narrow and slippery. The camp is composed of a few slab and raupo wnares, and a tont accommodation-house kept by Mr. James Say, who is also the camp Daker. It was four o'clock p.m. when we reached the end of our journey,, but Mr. Thomas at once proceeded to show me round the Goldwater Company's workings, and explained what had already been done and as to future intentions. Perhaps, however, before proceeding to give a detailed description of the works now in progress, it may be advisable to give a few particulars re the past history of the district, and what led up to its being prospected for gold at the present time. As far back as 15 years ago the " colour"" was found here, when what is known as "the Brogan rush" occurred. About that time a prospector named Brogan reported he nad found specimens in an outcrop of a reef he had discovered in the Whangamata Valley, and this had the effect of drawing fully i 1500 men to the scene. Brogan, however, declined to make known the exact locality of his find until he had succeeded in obtaining - assistance from some capitalists, "to whom he wished to sell the claim ho had pegged out. Among these capitalists was a Mr. Goldwater, who refused to advance any money until Brogan took him to the reef and showed him where the gold was found. Brogan agreed to do this provided Goldwater would allow himself to be blindfolded some distance from the claim and then led to the scene. This was consented to, and in this manner Goldwater was taken to the reef, where the handkerchief was removed from his eyes, and .he was shown some very nice specimens, said to have been broken from the reef, but which really had been " planted" there from elsewhere. After viewing the specimens, and being satisfied the find was bona fide, Goldwater was again blindfolded, and led back to the starting point before his eyes were unbandaged. However, so satisfied was he with what he had been shown that a bargain was at once struck for the purchase of the claim, a sum of money paid down as a deposit, and a day appointed when Brogan was to reveal his secret. At the appointed time Goldwater arrived at Whangamata to conclude the Eurchase, but Brogan was not to be found, e having cleared away from the district with the money he had already, obtained. The miners who had assembled on the field at the announcement of the discovery became very indignant when ' they found they had been imposed upon, i and thinking Goldwater was in the j "swim" with Brogan, they gave him a ' rather rough quarter of an hour, handling him very severely, after which the most of them left the field in disgust. Among those who stayed behind and did a little prospecting was a man named Dudley Lyre, who did a littlo work on the reef the Goldwater Company now have in hand, and succeeded in obtaining a few stones showing gold. The difficulties which had to be contended with in those days in getting food supplies, soon had the effect of driving both Eyre' and the other remaining diggers away, and the reef remained undeveloped until just previous to the last general election. At this time, - Mr. James Mackay, jun., who. was contesting the Coromandel seat, in which electorate Whangamata is included, told Mr. John Mc Williams of what had been done by Eyre, and pointed out the locality of the reef. Mc Williams thereupon pegged out an area of 15 acres on the eastern side of the Moana Unun Creek, and commenced prospecting the reef where a " blow" occurs on top of the ridee. Succeeding in finding colours of gold and indications for silver* and an assay .test of the quartz yield-

ng at the rafco of £1& per ton,' McWilliams handed the ground over *to the now Goldwater Company, and was appointed to further prospect the reef by putting in a crosscut apd intersecting it about 25 feet below the crown of the spur on its western side, and distant a few yards only from where the " blow " exists. After driving about 15 feet McWilliams was superseded by Mr. Thomas, tfho continued ; the crosscut another 10 feet, and intersected the reef on its hangingwall side. On its being cut through it was found to be about four feet in width, and showing a vein of quartz on its footwall three or four inches thick, - : containing a fair percentage of . sulphide' arid chloride of silver, together with " oxide of iron, in which gold " was discernible. The main body of the reef also looked promising, it ; being very ; compact, and several small veins or sulphides interlaced it, with a large percentage of manganese. Driving northward has since been continued a distance of 40 feet, the reef , maintaining its size and favourable indications, for the whole of this length, but ; the country ; encasing it, although good sandstone, is of a. rather broken nature, being evidently too near the surface. Back about 15 feet from the face some very good gold-bearing stone was found, and here a winze has been sunk a depth of 10 feet. From this winze the 2401b picked stone were obtained which was treated at the Kuranui battery a few days ago, and which yielded 50oz lfldwb bullion, valued at 15s per ounce. The size of the reef, however, diminished to 18 inches as it was sunk upon, but this is accounted for by the country being firmer, and is a most favourable change to improve the richness of the quartz. In addition to the winze a rise has been put up a few feet immediately above, thereof maintaining the same size as' in the drive, and yielding some very good quartz from its northern end. From the quartz broken out of the workings already described, the manager has selected 10 tons for shipment to Auckland by the steamer Douglas from Whangamata landing, :to which place it was being conveyed, by pack-horse at the time of my visit, and is distant about six miles. This quartz is reckoned to be worth £30 per ton, at the very least, and will eventually be transhipped to Adelaide. Owing to the present level being so near the crown of the, hill, the manager has recommended to his directorate advisability of opening up a deeper one at a point about 50 feet north of the tip from the "blow" on the ridge, . and about 15 feet above the creek level, which would allow for a mullock-tip and the erection of hoppers for holding the quartz. The distance which would require to be driven to intersect the reef is about 70 feet, and from here an average height of 130 feet of backs would be available for stoping. This is a work that should be commenced without further delay, for in i addition to working the reef now in hand, crosscutting to cut other lodes could be continued at any time, an important feature which should not be overlooked in a new field. The mouth of the level would also be near to where a machine site would have to be chosen, should the prospects continue so encouraging as to induce the erection of the necessary machinery. for the treatment of the output. There is abundant water supply for motive power within easy reach, and as far as timber is concerned, there is abundant "all around suited for every purpose. Taken altogether, the prospects of the Goldwater Company for a prosperous career are of a very encouraging nature, and should be sufficient to warrant the directors to do all in their power to thoroughly prospect their mine. On the same line of reef, but at different ends of the Goldwater, are the Brogan and Observer claims, the former having, an area of ten acres, and the latter 15 acres, but as vet no work has been done in either of them. In addition to these, on the western side of the Moana Unun creek, the following claims have been pegged out:—Just-in-Time No. 1, 15 acres; Just-in-Time No. 2, 15 acres ; Young Colonial, 10 acres ; Speculation, 10 acres. All these claims are 'on another distinct reef, running almost parallel with-the Goldwater reef. In the two Just-' in-Time claims, owned by Mr. Alexander Wilson, & little prospecting is being done. The lode, where being worked at the creek level in No. 1, is 24 feet thick, but only the hangingwall portion is being broken. It has been driven on a distance of 35 feet, the stone so far containing a fair percentage of sulphides of silver, and giving a prospect of gold when pounded and panned off. It might here be stated that it is generally thought this is the reef Brogan "salted," and the exact point also where the specimens were hidden, with the difference that he plied on the footwall instead of the hangingwall. In No. 2 claim a winze is being sunk from surface on the footwall side, but the reef is only 15 feet wide. The proprietor of these two claims does not anticipate meeting with any extraordinarily rich stone, but expects that the quantity will make up for quality. Tests have been made of the quartz from both workings, and the value has averaged from £15 to £24 per ton. In the Speculation and Young Colonial mines no work is proceeding as yet. To the - north ; of the Observer is another claim called the Herald, pegged out by J. McWilliams, in which a reef, supposed to be identical with the Goldwater reef, has been intersected, but at present prospecting on it is at a standstill, owing to some dispute about the. title of the ground. There are one or two other parties prospecting in the district, whom I was unable to see, but so far as I could learn, they had found nothing payable as yet. To conclude with this district, I might be allowed to express the opinion that the show . the Goldwater Co. have in their workings is not equalled in any of the other claims, but what future developments will reveal remains to be seen. At any rate, there is room enough, and the prospects are good enough, to encourage capitalists to give the field a fair trial, and it is to be hoped this will be doae. As usual with all new finds, the want of roads and tracks is a great drawback to the district, but this will in all probability be remedied in due time. At present a sum of £150 granted by Government is being expended in forming a road from the camp to Whangamatalanding, about 6 miles distant. The work is under the control of the Thames County Council, and is being carried out by Pendergast and party, contractors. The specified time for its completion .is six weeks, but I hardly think it will be completed within that time, although there are no serious difficulties in the way, there being only two small side cuttings, five smiul culverts, • and one narrow swamp of about . four chains to cross, the rest of the way being comparatively level ground. When this is accomplished there will be no difficulty ill carting supplies from the landing, or quartz from the mines to the landing, at a cost of £1 per ton, which will be a . small charge when compared with the cost (4s per cwt).that is now involved by having to carry everything !by pack-horse. Another thing that is badly needed by the diggers is postal communication. At present they are entirely dependent upon stray travellers from Hikutaia to bring them their letters or papers. This they look upon as a great grievance, and consider they should at least have a weekly mail from Hikutaia. This matter should be attended to by the postal authorities ; for there is now a population of over 30 adults on the field, with the prospect of its soon increasing ; besides which it would be very convenient to the gumdiggers in the surrounding _ hills. As previously mentioned, the accommodation house of the camp is kept by Mr. James Say, at whose place J put up for the night, and at whose hands I received every attention as regards my Qwn comfort; and I can truthfully say that any persons who intend paying the field a visit can safely rely on having |$heir wants supplied by Mr. , Say. It is Mr. Say's intention to erect a weatherboard building as soon as the necessary timber can be conveyed over the road now in course of construction.