MINING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1855, 10 June 1887, Page 12

MINING.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Mount Ida Chronicle states that Wade and party bottomed another shaft at Hill's Creek last week on a little gold, and are now driving, in various directions to learn whether the precious metal exists in payable quantities on the rock bottom.

The Dunstan Times asserts that a new claim which has been opened up at Baldbill Flat is proving remarkably rich — approaching the proverbial pile claim. The returns of the Cromwell Gold Dredging Company for the week ending 28th ult,, was 7§oz. The dredge is now working on the bottom, but on ground worked by her a week or two ago, when the bottom could not be reached. The low level of the river at present favours the idea that that there should be a continuance of recent results. — Cromwell Argus. Messrß W. Perry and Co.'s gold mining party had an unpleasant experience on the lower Pomahaka, near the mouth of the Rankleburn, recently. The party of gold-seekers were employed sluicing on an island in the middle of the river, when suddenly the stream came down " like a wall " cutting off the diggers from the mainland, and leaving them like " Robinson Crusoe" on a desert island. A tree had been fallen to form a footbridge from the island to the river bank, but the sudden flood washed this means of retreat away, and for about 30 hours the unfortunate diggers were confined to the island, not knowing the minute the floods Would sweep them into eternity. After about two days' imprisonment, Perry and party were rescued'by another lot of diggers, and they were dragged to the mainland through the flooded waters by means of flax ropes, exhausted with want of food and warmth, and their unpleasant involuntary imprisonment. It is known (says a Southland paper) that a gold-bearing reef exists in South Riverton, and a number of gentlemen have now determined to take steps to have it thoroughly worked. Gold in paying quantities has been found in the vicinity, and it is hoped that the operations which will be started in a few days will be richly rewarded.

The Dunstan Times says : — " To the already strong fleet of dredges on the river between Alexandra and Clyde another is to be added next week. The large current-wheel dredge that was built for the Upper Clutha not proving a success, after a long and patient trial, is to be brought down and put on one of the reaches of the river in the neighbourhood of Clyde, '.where we hope better fortune awaits her. The venture is entirely in the hands of the firm of Messrs Kincaid and M'Queen, who we think may fairly be credited as being the upholders of gold dredging in the Molyneux."