WAKATIPU MINING NOTES. (from our own correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1762, 29 August 1885, Page 15

WAKATIPU MINING NOTES. (from our own correspondent.)

Arrow, August 26. Mount Criffel. — Mining news continues to be the leading topic of conversation here, Mr-Geo. Harrow, an experienced miner, and in every way trustworthy, returned from a visit to Criffel yesterday. He says thatthe field is extending, and he thinks that as new finds are being made the. indications of a connected and continuous

run of gold become more apparent. The Salva- , tion party, made up of three members of the k Salvation Army,have a payable claim marked out P since July last, when they went there. Offi one or two, other, parties also found payabft prospects, and it' may now be looked upon* settled thftt the gold is not confined to the half dQzeiw;laimß;. or so -which are at present marked ou£sTbiß, of course, does not say that there is an unlimited extent of payable ground, or that the field cannot be over-rushed. Still the news is reassuring' so far, as it goes. In spite of all warnings toxthe contrary, people continue to flock to the field, quite a number being camped about one mile below the site of the present workings, which is as near as they dare go on- account of (-the frost. Even here the nights are so severe that it is quite as much as ( the men can bear, and it is clear that even with favourable weather it. will take three or

four weeks before the ground is sufficiently thawed to allow of regular work commencing. The beginning of October will, to all intents and purposes, be quite early enough to go to Criff el. -Timber for stores, butcher shops, &c., is upon the ground, but nothing' can be done in the meantime in the way of erecting buildings near the principal workings. • The weather is anything but favourable, being fine, but cold, very keen frosts prevailing every night. Itis reported that Mr Fred. Evans, of Skippers, w about buying out the Otago and the British American Quartz-mining Companies at SkipSpere, which, together with" a "lease recently acquired, are to be formed' into one large company, which is to be placed' upo%the London market. The property ja .undoubtedly a valuable one, and only requires qapital judiciously applied to raise it to on^ of ,tihe best-paying specs, of the kind in the Colbny. The Premier Company at ' Macetown have

then: steam-engine and winding-gear in working order. All the difficulties in the way of the smooth and efficient working of tho engine and the ropes have been successfully overcome, the new appliance giving every satisfaction, and reflecting credit on the mine manager, under whose direction and supervision the whole work haa beon carried out. _^ >