NINETY-MILE BEACH, CANTERBURY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 28.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 22

NINETY-MILE BEACH, CANTERBURY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 28.

Mr Pease, manager of this gold dredging claim, reports to his principals in Christchurch as to the samples obtained from the various bores he has sunk upon the property. "These were made as nearly as possible every 3ft by " shelling " or pumping, the ground wash then panned off and reduced, the residue being dried, wlaced in numbered bags, and marked to show the strata throughout the depth. Four bores were sunk at depths varying from 25ft to 45ft, passing through loose beach gravel and sand. The prospects obtained were from five to six colours to 20 to 25 to the dish. Since this work has been accomplished the claim has been further opened out by sinking four shafts to a depth of 12ft or 14ft, as far as the water would allow. The wash secured was put over a " grizzley," the gold being saved upon cocoanut matting, and showed an average of about 3gr to the load. The prospects are highly spoken of, and surprise evinced by Wesi Coast' miners who have visited the locality that the beach has not been exploited more than is the case at present, for, independently of Mr Pease's results, two or three parties have during past years been making fair returns, and that although working in a most primitive manner. I hear from Mr Lightband that steps are being initiated to place an up-to-date dredge upon the area, which includes 160 acres.