LAKE WAKATIPU.

Otago Witness, Issue 585, 14 February 1863, Page 3

LAKE WAKATIPU.

(FROM THE DAILY TIMES CORRESPONDENT.) Qncenslown, sth February, 18G3. The only way to approach the Lake diggings is by water. Three rushes of importance have occurred in this direction, and they all lie westward from this township. They are known by the names of the Twelve Miles (Hughes' Creek), the Twenty-five Miles, the Greenstone River, and several other gullies or creeks, the names of which are unknown. Except in the several instances of the Greenstone river, and its tributaries, so far as a personal examination has led, they present the same general formation of the* district. To the mineralogist variations are perceptible, but the auriferous portions of the district are not generally defined by these minute indications. They are a mystery and a myth, and those who would account for a gold formation upon any particular system or theory, will most assuredly find their conclusions inaccurate and erroneous. The whole of the rocks show, with few exceptions, that gold is every where present, but the very peculiar formation that characterises the country is too often left out of consideration. I have seen no general rule that could meet the circumstance* that attend the gold formation of this portion of the country, or recognise, except in the individual cases of rivers and stream*, any locality where theory would prove superior to practice. In the development of Otago though theory may give confidence, practical results have arisen from practical researches. Those who are desirous of pointing out especial places in which gold should abound, can do so, I cannot. # The fortunes obtained on the Shotover, the Dunsfan, are 'no slight consideration, but as an old Victorian miner, who has labored hard and long here, I would to these scientific researches point to the conclusions sought to be drawn from them, and the reasonings' based upon hopes. One problem I would put forward, why do the steep ranges that severally bound the Shotover and the Arrow cut off the yield of gold in this direction? or why is goldfound in a different formation further westward upon the places named? Given that around the westward point of the ranges that bound the Shotover and Arrow, gold is found and also on the eastern ride of them. The question demands a reply from those who have hastily examined the various spots or announced incorrect conclusion?. The answer given by the more practical miners is a conclusive one to me, viz., tint no one can tell me where gold is to be found here. Beyond a general principle none of us are vet able to go. It requires no extensive knowledge to declare and point out aurifrrous localities in Otago after a portion of the district has been made clearly discernible. The general belief of those who are daiiy opening new ground has been already stated; but as a confirmation of the strong confidence already felt in the entire districts of the Dunstan, the Arrow, and the Lake, a further and more complete intercourse with those who are really developing these gold fields has only shown the correctness of the views first promulgated. Upon the synopsis of the various districts it has been my duty to report upon, I find that there is little new to add. The character of each place has been duly sketched, and the details are alone wanting to complete the picture. They will follow.

On the Twelve Miles Rush good claims are moderately numerous, and the workings are extending to the terraces. It is not, however, a rich diggings on the whole, though very numerous rich patches abound, "it principally consists of creek workings, but the terraces are gradually extending, and some of these, though they continue as usual patchy. are very rich in places. The Twenty-five Mile — not the Twentyfive Mile of the Shotover, but of the Lakeis rising in favor, having been twice almost deserted. It is now pretty well occupied, and a fair thing being done, though I am unable to record any very good ground worthy of special notice. The Greenstone still further on has its warm advocates, but the difficulties of the country are so great, that any proper inspection of it has been beyond my powers. The man _ seeking for information and the miner seeking for gold are two different persons. In this direction the gold formation does take s change, but the circumstances are so novel, and have been so slightly examined into, that it would be foolish to pretend to know what you are hardly acquainted with. The escort has been delayed to yesterday. It takes down finally 22,8000z, avoiding fractions. It could have been increased through the delay to 27,000, as already 5,000 have been deposited since the date of my last letter. The district is generally prosperous, but complaints are frequent, that all the ground is taken up. These remarks proceed from the newer arrivals, who do not understand the country. Caution after caution has been given on this subject through your columns, and it is not necessary to tread over the ground again. There is plenty of ground under changed circumstances, and plenty of ground yet open ; but it is not when the depot is reached that it lies before you. Labor, travelling, privations, there really first commence. The meeting last night in favor of Mr J Hyde Harris, as a candidate for the Superin tendency, was a success in all respects, except the weather. The scarcity of calico has in many instances prevented second roofs bem«put upon the buildings, and last iright the rain poured down very heavily upon them. The question that appeared to engage the attention of the meeting was the land system. Very little land in the immediate neighborhood of this township is fit for agricultural purposes. About the Arrow a few thousand acres could be found, but there is a question depending upon the auriferous portion of a part of this area. The miners do not seem generally inclined to settle upon woodless lands, or those distant from the gold fields. It i 3 difficult, knowing this feeling to be prevalent amongst them, to say what was intended to be secured by those who spoke and cheered the speakers upon this question, when they dwelt upon a matter incapable of realization on the spot. So far Mr Harris is a favourite here, and ■will be warmly supported upon many grounds.

Enclosed are samples of copper ore procured in two different places in the district. Particulars accompany each sample, but one locality is kept a secret. The police force has been strengthened by the arrival of both constables and detectives, and as soon as the hotels get their licenses, and the gold field is extended, the place will assume comparative order.

Tins dispatch has been most hurriedly ■written ; my next will convey a general summary of the value of the Lake district in time for the English mail.