MINING AT THE KAWARAU.

Otago Witness, Issue 740, 3 February 1866, Page 8

MINING AT THE KAWARAU.

(From the correspondence of the Dunstan Times ) Pipeclay Gully is situate on the southern side of the Kawarau river, about four mile above Cromwell. It was imperfectly worked some three years past, when the Dunstan rush attracted so many miners to this quarter. The stream of water which coursed down the gully at that period proved utterly insufficient for washing and sluicing purposes. In consequence of this the ground was only turned over, benefiting but few, and was eventually deserted except by a party or two, who remained there doing what is conventionally termed " a quiet stroke " During the last few weeks, however, new life has sprung up ia the locality, owing to the introduction of improved methods of extricating the gold from the soil. Johuson and party have opened a claim at the lower end of the gully, and have constructed a capacious and most effective tailrace, from twelve to eighteen feet in depth and of considerable length. By its means they are enabled to work gome exceedingly' valuable ground, which will pay at least L 8 or L 9 per week per man, and a very extensive auriferous area stands before them. A short distance above them Woodward and party have opened a face to some old ground in the high banks of the gully, and are highly pleased with their weekly returns. The next party is Kemp's. They have been for a long time past doing very well. They possess a fine water-race, and alternately work the bed of I the gully and its banks, being never compelled to remain idle. Systematic working is strictly adhered to by thi3 party, as well as by tho^e previously mentioned, and not a shovelful of washdirt or stone is thrown to a spot frem which it will have to he removed. Higher up the gully may be seen two cannie Scotchmen, Bruce and Blue, at work and doing well. The highest claim but one up the gully is Salt aud party's. Like Kemp and party, they have several heads of water commanding the terraces breasting the creek. They have before them excellent prospects, and the careful manner in which the work is being carried on proves indisputably that the company are sluicing something good. Pipeclay Gully is also able to boast of systematic mining operations, consequently it cannot possibly fail to proye productive for a long time to come. At a distance of half a mile over a low range is Smith's Gully, which is coeval with Pipeclay as a field for mining labor. In its early days the bed of the creek only was worked, but the attention of the miners has for a considerable time been dirtcted to the high auriferous terraces overhanging it. Water races have been brought in and large dams erected, permitting sluicing operations to be carried on vigorously and profitably. The ground is payable from the surface to the bed rock, a depth of from fifty to sixty feet. The principal claim is that known as Thomas's, in which not only the shareholders work, but a considerable amount of hired labor is employed. The next claim is that belonging to the brothers j Moore, who also employ a good many hands. Bruce and Blue, already referred to, are about to commence the necessary work for bringing in a large supply of water (upon some novel plan not yet made known) to an extended claim above that oi Thomas's. At the junction of Smith's and Adams's Gullies lies a considerable flat, which has been proved auriferous, but which is quite unworkable, owing to the wet nature of the ground. However, Messrs Jelly and Halliday, whose general store is situate in the locality, have determined to advance capital and credit to enable a party to cut a large tail race for the purpose of thoroughly draining the ground. This enterprise will not only benefit the projectors, but will also afford others an opportunity of improving their condition. Close at hand is the once famous Bannoekburn. Sluicing at this place has lost much of its pristine activity, but it still retains life, and promises again to become a scene of active labor. Messrs Berry, Watts and Co. have a claim of great value, and possess a large water race, which gives them an ample supply of water. Facing the town of Cromwell, on the western side of the Kawarau, at its con fluence with the Clutha, a very extensive auriferous terrace exists, which has been profitably tunnelled from the banks of the Molyneux and Kawarau. Although many were handsomely paid for their labor in tunnelling, still sluicing the ground is deemed the only mode by which the wealth of the ground can be satisfactorily unearthed. Horrigan and party's race has been doing service for a considerable time on the terrace, and its owners have every reason to deem their labor and capital wisely laid out. A more powerful race is, howeVer, necessary, and Thomas, Tippett, and others are at present energetically constructing a large race from the Baanockburn Creek. As the distance is but short, a few weeks only need pass before the large and at present unmanageable boulders ia the terrace will be deposited

in the Molyneux. This race, wh< n completed, will not only prove of immense service on the ground in the immediate locality of Cromwell, but it can be directed to auriferous terraces along the west bank of the Molvneux as far down as Clyde, should sufficient inducements at any time present themselves.