TRIP TO THE WAIPORI QUARTZ REEFS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1395, 24 August 1878, Page 4

TRIP TO THE WAIPORI QUARTZ REEFS.

(BY OUK OWN CORRESPONDENT )

WAITAHUNA AND WAIPORI.

Having arrived by train at Waitahuna, and visited the surrounding workings and the famous flat from which so much gold was extracted in former days (not having time to visit tho Table Hill Reef, where work haa been suspended for some time) .we proceeded acrosa the country in the direcrion oj Waipori, followed on horse by Messrs Sutherland of Waitahuna, who were well acquainted with the surrounding country. Having walked about]|l2 miles towards the head of the creek in search of the copper reef in this locality, and after a fruitless search of several hours, neither our guides nor self could find out the whereabouts o£ the copper. Wo were equally fortunate as regards the locality of the cinnabar. It being now getting late, and our guides being obliged to return home before dark, there being no track cross the country to Waipori, we were obliged to make for the vacant shepherds' hut on Mr Turnbull's station, and took shelter there till daylight, having then travelled about 25 miles through fine undulating country, in the centre of which, comprising about 200,000 acres, little or no prospecting for gold has been carried on, although there are several very likely terraces, spurs, and gullies. The bed rock is principally composed of blue slate and sand stone. We passed on tho bills much cinnabar and good looking quartz indicating quartz reefs in the vicinity. Not one digger's hut, or the sound of pick or shovel, is to be seen or heard from Waitahuna to the Waipori reefs, which proves the astonishing encouragement and fostering care bestowed on the mining industry in this neighbourhood by the great guns that govern us with such a glowing flourish of trumpets. Here on the Waipori and Lammerlaw ranges our wise-acres might stand and gaze in blank dismay on the political seaside of the mining industry. Nothing is to be seen all over these vast plains but a few sheep and a lonely shepherd with his dog, where there is room for thousands ofindustrious miners. There may be sufficient gold and mineral wealth at our very doors to pay off the colonial debt, and yet since the year 1862 we are not aware of any reward being given for developing the rich treasures with which the country abounds. THE NIL DESPKRANDUM QUARTZ REEF, WAIPORI. The last crushing exceeded three ounces to the tou. The stone improving in depth, with a reef from 4 to 6 feet— crushing and work partly suspended until the shaft, which has got flooded, is clear of water. This reef bids fair comparison with the best in the Colony.

THB O.P.ty. AND OTHBE REEFS. Splendid stone is said to have been lately struck at this mine by the new company, and work appears to be carried on with vigor, notwithstanding the severity of the weather. _ We much regret having been unable at this visit to make personal examination of these two mines, owing to the severe snowstorm which prevailed at the time, but hope to be able to do so at our next, as all accounts we have received from disinterested parties agree that there ia a glorious future in store for these two reefs. Having arrived at 11 o'clock at the comfortable hotel, Waipori, kept by the kindest of men, Host Cotton, we were enabled to refresh, the inner man, having had a keen appetite, beiug then about 28 hours without any refreshment, roaming through the Waipori ranges f.om 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. the previous day, and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. this morning. After our visit to the inhospitable shepherd's hut, we were able to appreciate at its full the kindness of Mr Cotton and his amiable lady. Our excellent Hoßt having appropriated for our sole use and benefit for the day that noble racing mare the Fairy Queen we were enabled through this and the kindness of Mr Cox, the postmaster, to visit the reefs, about five miles up the Lammerlaw Creek. The upper reef is the property of Cox and Co. The indications are very encouraging. They washed a good prospect from a strong leader, showing the reef a short distance ahead. There was but one man on the claim, work being suspended until spring. The Lammerlaw creek runs at the foot of the terrace, and will supply motive power for crushing. The next and last visited was that of Roberts, Cox, and Co., Lammerlaw creek, about a mile lower down. In this claim much work has been done, several adits having been driven, cutting the reef at different levels. In this reefr also work is stopped for the winter, only one shareholder, Mr Roberts, being employed, to whom much credit is due for his pluck in connection with this reef. He has stuck to the development of the mine through good and bad report, careless alike of the smiles of pretended friends, or the frowns of opponents, and it is ta be hoped that he will receive a rich reward. Mr Raberts pointed out three distinct reefs in this claim, one striking east and the other two north, from each of which we washed a very good prospect. A tunnel having been driven into the junction of the three, Mr Roberta is sanguine of getting a heavy find in the lower level at this point, and judging from the splendid prospect washed in our presence from this place it is to be hoped he will not be disappointed. About 100 tons of stone awaits the" crushing machine, about to bo erected, with water race already out and laid in. With a large body of goldon Bfcone at sight, this claim is sure to become a valuable property. Work is to be resumed with vigor next season.

HirDfiA.oi.ic snviawa. We visited the sluicing claim of Messrs Webb and Johnson, on Johnson's Hill, which has a fall of from 40 to 60 feet. The upper portion 1 , as far as the fall to to the Waipori River admits, is sluiced away with hydraulic hose ; and the lower portion from 12 to 14 feet of wash, m which the 1 best and heaviest gold is found, is lifted by stages and boxed, and sluiced with excellent results. This and the adjoining claim of Messrs Bolton and party are paying well. Their water race is cut a distance of 30 miles, and took four years in its construction through from Deep and Nordoe Creeks, so that none 1 should envy them their rich reward. They work on a deep channel, supposed to be the original bed of the Lammerlaw Creek. A 3IININ& CBVTBE.

In consequence of the severity p£ the storm, we were compelled to retrace our atgpa, and were unable to visit other interesting localities in tho neighbourhood of Waipori. Wo aro of opinion, however, that Waipori will at no distant day become a great mining centre.

THE SNOW.

Tho snowstorm commenced on Monday, the 29th July, and continued for the whole woek, the good people of Waipoi'i being completely snowed up, and ifc is to be feared that great loss of largo and small cattle will bo the result here as elsewhere. We came down to Ontram with tho jnaiU mau, Charles Brensoll. It took tho whole day to come 10 milea to Mifcobe's Accommodation House, where we had to put up for the night. Next day we were compelled to devote a con* aiderable time shovelling off the snow at the cutting at Alderada Creek, Ifc was bank high,

and we considered "ourselves luoky when we got up to tho Round Hill. This three miles of road ia in dispute between the two adjoining counties of Tuapektt and Taieri, and nothing has been done to it for the last three years. At any time it is almost impassible with any sort of vehicle, and as it js through here that the supplies roach Waipori, the waggoners and mailman have to take to tho hill side and pick their way as best as they can. This three miles of road is simply a disgrace to the authorities. Tf an accident occurs through the repairs of tma road (and it is said that a waggoner had to stop here some time ago and lost two valuable horses) it ia a question whether an action at law would not lay against our Governor. At all events, while the country pays men lower down, where repairs are not so much needed, it might be worth whila to send a few men up here to make the road from the Eound Hill to Eldirada Creek passable. The snow is several feet on the hills and flats, and in the gullies and hollows from 10 to 20 feet, caused by drifting with the wind. Should ram soon come down it would result in much harm, as the sudden melting of the snow would overflow all streams, and people living in the immediate vicinity should be on their guard to avoid loss and damage.