LATER FROM THE NOKOMAI. OFFICIAL REPORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 569, 24 October 1862, Page 4

LATER FROM THE NOKOMAI. OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following official report received yesterday from Captain Baldwin, the Commissioner in charge of the Xokomai field, has been placed at our disposal by the Government for publication : —

Victoria Gully, Nokomai, October 13th, 1862. Sir, — I have tho honor to state for your information, that since Uig diite of forwarding you my last Report, mining operations have been more extensively engaged in. Many of the miners who wore then wandering about the locality dissatisfied with the inducements held out, and deterred from settling down by the unfavorable report 3of the unpayable nature of the ground, have now taken up claims, and began to work them.

The storekeepers and residents generally are also looking forward with more confidence to the future prospects of the field. Good 3 which have boon hitherto selling at a loss to the owners are steadily advancing in price ; and altogether affiirs ha\e assumed a more healthy and settle.! appearance.

This improvement I more particular*' attribute to tho ho])cs entertained of new ground being siiortlj r struck somewhere in the neighbouring vicinity ; in the anticipation of which m.my are induced to continue on the field for some time lousier, and have in the meanwhile taken up claims for the purpose of making sufficient to defray current expenses, It is, of course, impossible to say whether these hopes are destined to bo fulfilled or not, but judging from the formation of the surrounding country, and from the opinions entertained by experienced and inlel igent miners, I think it probable some new discovery will be made. Unless such should be the case, Ido not think the present gully cun be depended upon to maintain a population "exceeding five hundred persons. The prosecution of mining pursuits is at present attended with many difficulties. The depth of sinking generally varies from ten to twenty feet. The ground is of a loose shingly nature, aud in paddocking, the sides are continually falling in; bat by far the greatest difficuty to be encountered is the quantity of water—a quantity in many places so great as to prevent the ground being worked, unless by very largo parties. , T understand, however, that a Tail race, and Sluicing Company, with a capital of LSOO, is in the course of formation, and having for it^ object the construction of a main race throughout the entire gully. I 100k /upon the undertaking as en-tain to prove most beneficial in its results,"and think the company should receive every possible facility and assistance. Hill tunnelling has been latterly commenced, aud the terraces throughout the gully are now being worked, and in many instances the parties have made from L"> to L 5 per week per man. But the ground still continues very patchy, no regular lead having as yet been struck ; and as far as I can ascertain, better wages can be made on most of the older goldh'elds, certainly with a much greater degree of certainty. Several parties have recently arrived here from the Dunstan, who informed me that by striking the head of the Ben >Tpvis they had found a good road over the Umbrella Ranges. Many of them brought across packhorses, and performed the journey in two days and a half. As it is most probable this route will be much used, I would suggest for your Honor's consideration, the advisability of luuing posts, or other distinguishing landmarks, placed at intervals along tho track. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, "William Baldwin, Commissioner of Gold-fields. To His Honor the Superintendent, Dunedin.