THE NEW GOLDFIELD IN OTAGO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 188, 18 December 1868, Page 3

THE NEW GOLDFIELD IN OTAGO.

♦■ The mining reporter of the Ofcago Daily Times gives the following account of the goldfield alleged to have been discovered at the Pomahaka : — Without being at all desirous of expressing any very decided opinion regarding the importance of the alleged discovery, you will allow me to communicate a few facts regarding the district which have from time to time been brought under my notice. The Pomahaka is situated amongst the ranges, at the back of the Teviot. For years past it has been favourably spoken of in the Mount Benger district, and prospecting has been carried on with more or less activity. Until within a very recent date, "the only communication with the place wa< by the Teviot, right over the Benger hills, one of the highest ranges, and perhaps the most inaccessible tract of country in the province. From its high elevation, the surrounding country is more or less covered with snow all the year round, and every pound of provisions had to be packed on horseback. During the winter season, it was utterly impossible to reach the place ; and after various representations had been made to the Provincial Government on the subject, a move towards the erection of snow poles was made. lam not sure that this was carried out. Indeed, I am rather inclined to thiak that, through the agency, or rather the carelessness of some of the district Wardens, the matter was shelved. Be that as it may, the new line of road to Switzers opened up the country towards the lower side of the range. Less than two months since, your informant travelled that road from Switzers, and spent a night at the Pomahaka accommodation house, halfway to the Beaumont Ferry. During his stay, he ascertained that the Pomahaka diggers had found the district much more accessible from the main line of road ; and, in answer to inquiries, was informed that some five parties were working up the river, and a few more lower down. They were all reported to be doing satisfactorily, sticking closely to the ground, and very sanguine of success. The ground on this side of the range appeared to be a perfect network of gullies. It seemed the natural course j for the drainage of the ground from the Mount Benger range ; and although it does appear strange that the first intelligence of the discovery should have reached town through such a circuitous channel as that of the Warden at Clyde, any one acquainted with the Pomahaka would not be at all surprised to know that there are some good grounds for the report. Without seeking to prompt an indiscriminate rush, it may be interesting to know something about the route. The road passes through Lawrence, a town that can be reached either by Tokomairiro or Maungatua, and from

there to the Beaumont Ferry, a distance of 12 miles. From the Beaumont the traveller keeps the Teviot road until he reaches Higg's accommodation house, some five miles further on. At that point the road to Switzers blanches off from the Teviot road, and after traversing the length of a narrow plain it aseeula the hill by a good apur, taking a circuitous route in the direction of the Spirelaw home station. Near to the crossing of the road from what was formerly Chalmers's upper station to]Tapanui, an accom-modation-house has been erected. Beyond this the road follows the face of the lower hills, and within about four miles of the crossing of the Waikaka river it descends into a gorge, which opens up at various places in plains and other smaller tracts of level country. These are bounded on both sides by very high hills ; their sides, however, at numerous places, are opened into by gullies and other watercourses. At the crossing, a small ac-commodation-house and general store has been erected, and it is supposed to be from about this spot that the diggers make their way to the ranges. This house is the last along the line of road until it reaches Acton's — a small digging situated within four miles of Switzer's. The road as far as the Waikaka is good. The spurs have been cut, and as the high grounds follow a leading ridge, it is, upon the whole, a perfectly good summer road. From the rising township of Tapauui, the Waikaka crossing by the dray road is something like 21 miles ; by following a bridle -track across the neighbouring range, the distance is lessened by seven miles. A sample of the Pomahaka gold taken out of a place known as Campbell's gully, about two years ago, I herewith forward for your inspection. You will observe that it is a heavy nugget intermixed with quartz. Although somewhat water-worn on the one side, it is sufficiently rough on the other to show that it could not possibly have travelled any great distance. This a is capital indication, and goes far to support the opinion that the district is richly auriferous. Should the report prove at all reliable, the lay of the country favours the opinion that in a very short time a considerable mining population will find its way to the ground. It ia located within a few miles of Switzer's, and is more or less accessible from the bank workings along the Molyneux from Alexandra to the Beaumont Ferry. Waipori, Tuapeka, Waitahuna, and Tuapeka Mouth, on the other side, are equally convenient in point of situation, so that the ground is not likely fco remain long undisturbed, should it turn out well.