WAKATIPU.

Otago Witness, Issue 1480, 27 March 1880, Page 10

WAKATIPU.

The Wakatlpu correspondent of the Cromwell Argus writes :—

"Davies, Wilson, and Williams have returned from their inspection of tbe new reef discovered at Head of the Lake. It 19 an immense slip, bub thousands of tonß of quartz are ascertained to be in it. Another trial shaft has been sunk, a consider, able distancs from the first one, and both the casing and stone shnar gold. Some casing, washed, gave very flatttring indications. In this stone fine gold U lo be seen throughout, and at this portion of the reef it has a blue, honeycombed appearance. Of course some very rich stone in portions of the reef has been met with, but ie is intended to crush the whole of the reef. Four permanent hands are to be employed upon it. The reef has been known for years, and some spocimens obtained from it ; but, sirauga to say, it baa never been prospected properly before. Tne assay of Htone, with only barely-visible gold in it, gave 5 zlB Iwt 12=jr at Wellington. Another pwcel from the- new shaft has been forwarded for similar tes iag. Reports are current of other dwooveries in that portion of the country, and on 3 sanguine individual states that he has found no loss than 11 reefs. Thera U, however, nothing to confirm the correctness of theso rumours.

" The yield from the old stone taken out from the Nugget and Cornish Rsef, Upper Shotover, is stated to be showing fair results under the new system of crushing it. A cake of 80oz waa brought down this week. There ia nothin? no # from tha late disooveriei at Muddy Creek, or from tho old reefs at Skippers. " Vi is etated that several silver lodes or da* poults have been discovered in different parta of tho dint; let, bnt time will show whether theaa are genuine bodies and able to be worked profitably. A silver lode will have bo he oxtremely rioh or of considerable dimensions to ensure euch a result. Tiw passing round of Email spedlmeng la realty no proof of the valua of tbi* or that argentiferous via of deposit* All experiments aiado ia the Kelson diotrtct,

Went Coast, &c, show that difficulties ari<e in the shape of obtaining continuous and profitable returns), though very rich yield* have been obtained from some small portions of the deposits worked. It ia toba hoped that the silveiminea of this district, when opened out, will prove of good average quality throughout, and be of a more permanent character than those hitherto worked elsewhere."

The Arrowtown correspondent of the Crom] well Argus writes :—". Last week furnished another proof of the payability of the Macetown reefa. A cake of 13ioz— the result of 130 tons of stone from the Gladstone Company's claim — was turned out by the Maryborough battery. The cake is exceedingly clean, and quite a beauty. The stone put through the mill, for the above quantity of gold, contained a great deal of mullock, which, under the cir. cumatancea, could not possibly be separated. The Company obtained the quartz under Borne difficulty, on account of the great angles described by the reef. The reef has now agtfta resumed the vertical, and measures fully three feet in width, showing gold freely. Other cakes ate shortly expected from the Tip., Maryborough, and Homeward Bound Companies. The North Tipperary is expecting to strike the reef Bhortly."