THE GOLDFIELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1553, 20 December 1866, Page 6

THE GOLDFIELDS.

Little change has taken place in the condition of the Goldfields since our last Summary, nor is it likely that they will be : much further developed until population increases. Those at present working them are engaged in operations of a character so permanent, and involving such an amount of capital, as to render prospecting as an occupation unnecessary, and labor is so scarce, and.so well remunerated, as to offer no inducement to seek to obtain a livelihood by . opening fresh ground. While, therefore, it is unquestionable that immense areas of auriferous ground remain untouched, there is quite as much now in course of being worked as gives full employment to the present mining population. The advantages derivable from artificial supplies of.'water have been found co great that fresh applications to cut water races are continually being made. Some of these have been noticed in previous summaries, and their length and expensive structure described. During the past month application has been made for permission to bring a race into St. Bithans, at an expense of L7OOO. The levels have been taken, and should the work be carried out, it will form a stream of water sixtyfour miles in leDgth. The warm weather has had the usual effect at this season of the year of raising the level of the rivers through the melting of the snow on the higher ranges. Where the beaches are worked on the old and primitive plans, the increase in the waters has interfered with. gold finding. But where improved methods have been adopted, but little inconvenience is experienced. Thus the Warden at the Dun" 5 stan says of the workings on the Molyneux, at Frenchman's Point, that they " are now so systematic, that the river's rise involves no cessation of work, for so soon as the water increases and puts a stop to the yield of gold, the men are set to strip new ground to be worked next season." The Escort returns have, upon the whole, been fully up to the average proportion at this season of the year. The approach of Christmas and the preparation for a holiday causes many parties to defer washingup; and consequently, ior a few weeks beforehand, there is usually some little falliug off. But from all quarters, the accounts speak of good yields. In quartz mining the same is reported. The Warden at the Arrow, reporting upon the operations of the Criterion Quartz Company in that district, says, " That they have been crushing a quantity of mullock, having been obliged to put it through the machine ' simply to get it out of the way.' The yield has been large enough to pay all working expenses." He goes on to say, " Taking the average, this company has produced quite as much gold for the quantity of stuff crushed as any other reef claim in the Province; and, although it may take some little time to get the drives into proper order, I think there is every reason to hope that the speculation will prove a profitable one fore the shareholders. There can be little doubt that the great drawback at present ■ to the working of claims, is the enormous, price of labor. There is no lack of capital for investment in lona fide undertakings ; but it is not likely that capitalists will invest their money in speculations which produce only sufficient to pay the men employed upon them. Until wages come j down, many large undertakings must remain in abeyance. I have no doubt a Company might be formed to work the Arrow Flat, and claims of a similar nature, if wages-men could be obtained at a reasonable rate. The claims on the deep lead at the Cardiona are yielding handsome, dividends. • The summer season has been made useful for transporting machinery to the quartz reefs. Very few of the Companies formed (or working them have the^r plant Lin a sufficient state of forwardness to com-

mence operations, and it will be some mentbß before any returns are received from them, but as several are getting their machinery into working order, in a few months their returns will probably materially affect the Escort. Occupation of ground under agricultural leases, is tending to settle a permanent population on the Goldfields, and to reduce the co3t of living, which it will be seen by the following prices current, compared with the rate pf wages, is moderate :— PRICES CURRENT. Dunstax,—Flour, L3O per ton, or 3d per lb; bread, per 41b loaf, Is 6d ; tea, 33 to 3s 6d per lb; coffee, Is 8d to Is lOd; sugar, 6&d to 8d; oats, per bushel, 9i 6(3; chaff, per cwt, 12s. Wages, L 3 16j to L 4 per week. . Queenstown.—Flour, L2B to L 32 per ton; oatmeal, 6d per lb; oats, 12s 6d per bushel; chaff, 12s per cwt; ham, 2s 3d per lb; bacon, Is lO^'d to 2s; tea, 2s 9d to 3s 6d; sugar, 7d to 8d; cheese, 2i ; butter. 23 9d; beef and mutton, 8d to'lOd. Wages: Miners, L3toL4 per week; Mm laborers, L 2 per week ; day laborers, 12s to 15s per day; mechanics, 20s per day; 'female servants, 15s to 20s per week. Mouht Bbnger—Flour, 32s per cwt; potatoes, lOj per cwt; oats, 8s 6d per bushel; butter, per lb, 3s; mutton, 7d; beef, 3d to 9d; tea, 3s; sugar, 7d to Bd. Wages, L 3 123 to L 4 10s per week. Upper Manuherikia—Flour, L3O per ton; beef, Is per lb; bacon, 2s; mutton, Is; butter, 2s Gd ; eggs, 2s 6d per dozen ; 4 lb loaf, 23; potatoes, 9s per cwt. At Blacks, the 41b loaf, Is6d./ Wages average L 4 per week. Furniture. FURNITURE.; FURNITURE. FURNITURE.