WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 1417, 18 January 1879, Page 5

WEST COAST.

The Reef ton Herald of December 28t*a reports :— " A dividend of 3s per share has been declared in the Welcome Company. The gold was brought into Reefton on Tuesday, weighing 1118 cz. 15 dwt. from 3-48 tons, or an average of 3 oz. 4 dwt. per ton. Some blanketings which remain to be treated will bring the yield up to close upon 3£ oz. The mine looks well ; there is evetywhtrs a strong body of reef, showing stone of excellent quality. The Nil Despersndum cleaned up early in the week, and the gold, wheu melted, weighed 126 oz. 13 dwt., the product of 190 tons of stone, showing an average of 13 dwt. 8 gr. per ton. This result is better than was anticipated. The Victoria Compauy have concluded crushing at tbo Westland battery, with a result of something wver six pennyweights per ton, which, under the circumstances, is of course not payable. A rush has taken place to Lake Mihi»apau, about seven miles south of Hokitika. A. party of miners got 40 ok?, of gold from the bottom of a paddock. The ground ia supposed to be a continuation of the old Aylmer lead. The ground is maiked oS for a mile or so to the north towards tho old Hospital. No more claims are yet bottomed. A new quartz reefing district baa been opened within 11 miles of Hokitika, in the vicinity of Boucher's Gully. There is little doubt that reefs will be found in Westland, although the character of the country is so unfavourable to lode prospecting.