Preservation Inlet Goldfield.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 16

Preservation Inlet Goldfield.

(Daily Times Correspondent.) Kisbee; June 21. I cannot report much progress on the various reef holdings since my last. The pat ty_ working on the Hesperides (No. 1 south) are said to have found a leader carrying gold in the stone. There is a talk of amalgamating the Surprise, Triangle, and Lucky Shot claims, but I have not yet heard if the owners are agreeable to this. On the Break-o'-Day (No. 1 north) they have struck the reef in two places— only 7ft sinking. With reference to Mr M'Queen jun.'s letter, published in your issue of the 4th inst., re my report on the Golden Site claim, his remarks I consider quite uncalled-for, as I am assured my report was a perfectly correct one, and I am sorry it was not more favourable. Everyone on the field knows I have done all in my power to further the interests of this district — particularly this very claim ever since its first discovery in October 1892— and it is really against my own interest to have to send other than favourable report. Let us hope the reef will soon be struck again. Mr M'Queen jun. says that I have ignored altogether the sinking of a shaft 40ft on the north side. If he will take the trouble to refer to my previous reports in the Otago Daily Times, he will see it fully stated ; therefore I do not think he can study |your mining news much. With reference to his remark that I appear to be prejudiced against the management, all I can say is that he is quite wrong^ again there, and a more energetic and pushing mine manager than Mr Neal it would be difficult to find.

With regard to alluvial diggings, a few I hear are doing fairly well "terracing on the Lower Wilson, getting some rough " Bhotty " gold. At Crayfish Island a lot of dead work is being done by D. M'Kenzie, also Magrath and party, in the hope of coming across another good patch of gold. Coal Island appears to be now clean worked out, as little or nothing is now obtained, except in one or two workings. Some new discovery is wanted sadly to keep the place going. The tramway is now finished, and in a way which reflects great credit upon Mr Miller, of Gore, considering the dreadful weather, with continuous rains, that he has had to contend with. It is a great pity the Government have discontinued making the road through to the Waiau, which they commenced some 18 months ago and carried through for some miles. It is sadly wanted to open up this part of the country, and would give employment to many men new greatly wanting it. Mr A. Forbes offered to cut a 6ft track from Preservation Inlet right through to Lake Hauroto, a distance of 25 miles, for 2s per chain. This would open it up for tourists in the season.