Notes from Mahakipawa.

Otago Witness, Issue 1973, 12 September 1889, Page 13

Notes from Mahakipawa.

(Fbom Ode Own Cobbkspondeht.)

September 5.

The weather continues splendid for mining operations, and the weekly yield of gold is good, though not up to the average. Gregg and party washed out nearly 31b weight. The prospectors have done fairly well. Nesbit and party are quietly gathering some very rich crumbs, and the Wairarapa party have nothing to complain of. The Hibernian Company are making good progress with their new shaft, and Corbett and party have nearly 700 ft of their large fluming already fixed. A small rush has set in to Duncan's Valley, which is situated about three milea from White Pine Gully (nearer to Picton), but there ia nothiDg discovered yet worth mentioning. Everything is very quiet at Waikakaho, but I am told a few parties are doing pretty well, although the ground is extra deep. Messrs Logan and Co. are commencing their tram line from the reefs to a point some two miles down the valley where the battery will be shortly erected, and no doubt after three or four crushings, capital will begin to move, opening out other holdings. Oharleß Watson and party applied this week at the Warden's Court for a prospecting claim in Storey's Valley, which is nbout midway between the Waikakaho and Kaituna valleys. They got about l|oz out of a small paddock 8 x 10, with 9ft sinking. A few miners from Cullensville have gone out to test some more of the ground. The Wakamarina is claiming more attention Lately. Some diggers intend giving Devil'a Creek another good trial, and the left hand branch has attractions for others. The Deep Creek Gorge Company are making good solid -work as they go along, and intend spending £2000 if needed to see the bottom of this part of the river. They have completed the tail dam, and are now getting their heavy baulk timber to construct their head dam. Altogether, we can fairly anticipate a great improvement in mining matters throughout this district during the coming summer.

The Mining Act badly requires amendment in several directions— specially in providing proper representation in local bodies who receive all the goldfields revenue after being allocated by the county council. Hundreds of pounds are now accruing from these diggings, and as the Counties Act is not in force in Marlborough, the duty of spending this money devolves on the road boards, and the miners should, by every right of equity and justice, have a voice in the disbursement.