THE MAHAKIPAWA GOLDFIELD.
(J?bom Ova Own Cohbesfondent.) Havelock, November 24.
The pasfc week has been quiet in mining matters, principally owing to the terrific storms experienced here, first from the S.E. and then from the N.W. Considerable damage was done to some of the creek camps at Mahakipawa through the flood in the creek, and a few narrow escapes occurred through trees falling around in all directions. A few of the parties in main creek have bottomed on payable gold, but nothing to suddenly recompense them for the past six months' continual labour.
A one-twentieth share in the prospectors' claim, equal to 50ft, was sold the other day, I am credibly informed, for £150. The prospecting on Cullen's Flat has made no further progress, as the engine with pumping gear has not arrived. The reefs are gradually developing. The Jubilee is proving to contain good stone, and some specimens brought down from the Kaipai reef yesterday showed splendid prospects, both before and after crushing, one piece showing coarse gold right in the centre when broken in the presence of several people. Cullensville assumes a more settled appearance, wooden buildings gradually replacing the tents, Some of the miners are agitating for the Warden's Court to be removed there, but as Havelock is about the geographical centre for the whole of the Marlborough goldfield, it is hardly probable that such a change will be made until things are more settled and the expense warranted. At the Warden's Court the average number of applications for various privileges were made and granted; but only two of the licensed holdiugs were granted, as the plans were not yet deposited, and part of the land applied for in one of them has several parties working as alluvial claims, which the warden said must be protected first, and some of the land applied for in others baa not yet been proclaimed a goldfield. The Minister for Mines seems not to have realised the ridiculous boundaries made by the first proclamation, as in Mahakipawa Valley the Government road, one chain wide, is the boundary between the goldfields and agricultural land. The warden has applied for all Pelorous Sound to be included in the gpldfield as a good many parties are scattered about that locality prospecting. Gold has been found there many years ago, bat not in payable quantities. If they strike anything worth mentioning it will lead td prospecting the Oronga and Opoure, both large valleys, contain-
ing about 8000 to 10,000 acres of level land, besides a large area of terraces. A quartz crushing company is about issuing a prospectus, and intend to erect the latest improved machinery some distance up Cullen's creek. This will soon give a proper test to the reefs as they open out. The s.B. Waihi arrived at Mahakipawa on Friday with material, &»c. for the post and telegraph office there. Pope and party are again on excellent gold. Gregg and party are finding splendid gold in the dirt they are putting through the boxes. Information just received shows that, after a calm re finds, there have been large finds this week in Gorrie's, Pope's, Busch's, and many others.
THE MAHAKIPAWA GOLDFIELD.
Otago Witness, Issue 1932, 30 November 1888, Page 12
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