NORTH CREEK GOLD MINING COMPANY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5165, 21 November 1884, Page 3

NORTH CREEK GOLD MINING COMPANY.

At a meeting of the Directors of this Company, held on Wednesday last, Mr C. Palairet (one of the Board) reported the information gained by him during a v 4 sit to the Wilberforce last week. Mr Palairet, who was accompanied by Mr H. Slater, arrived at the Company s camp, which is situated at the " Unknown Creek," on Nov. 9. They found the hands employed on the reefs encamped in comfortable huts, which have been erected on the " Unknown Creek," at a distance of 5£ miles from its junction with the Wilberforce. A road has been formed up the " Unknown " which now admits of stores, <fee, being carted to the camp. On the following day they accompanied the Manager, Mr H. D. Macpherson, to the tunnel, which is being driven to the lo%ver reef. This is approached by a zigzag track four feet wide, cut through the bush up the mountain side a distance of 52 chains ; this work, they report, is well executed, and fit for packing up the timber required for the uiinc, and also the machinery shortly to arrive from England. A machine site has been selected, at a point where an ample supply of water can be obtained for the purpose of working the machinery. The tunnel has been driven

a distance of 80 fest, and "leaders " have been struck, during the work, which show gold. After inspecting the tunnel, they went about three chains higher up the mountain side to where the reef, for which ' the manager is now driving, crops out. At this point they took out some specimens of . quartz, all of which, on being washed on return to the camp, showed line gold. On the following day, in company with Mr Durward (also a Director of the Company), who happened to be in the neighbourhood, j ajid who joined them at the camp, they ; again visited* the machine site, tunnel '■■ and reef, and afterwards ascended to the , ridge which divides the "Unknown • Creek " from North Creek, and where the ! reef again crops out. From this point j other specimens were taken, which were ' also found to contain gold. Mr Palairet reports that standing on this ridge they could fully appreciate the judgment of the manager in so persistently prospecting the " Unknown " side of the ridge \ until the reefs were discovered on that side ; for it was evident with how much greater ease, and consequent saving of expenditure, the reef can be worked from that side than by the North Creek, the road by which some of the other companies must approach their reefs. Owing to snow which had fallen the previous night, they could not visit the upper reef from which the stone sent to Dunedin had been obtained, but they were able to form sorcfc idea of the labour which attended bringing the Dunedin stone down; for the manager suggested they should return by the road used on that occasion, being, as he termed it, a " short cut." The " road " was over the North Creek saddle, down a very rough creek, at one point it being necessary to descend with the assistance of a rope the face of a rock some 80ft high. Mr Palairet summarises the work done at present as follows :— " 1. The reefs have been prospected and traced through the Company's ground. This alone must, of necessity, have entailed much time and labour. 2. A good road has been formed a distance of five and a half miles from Packing Point to tho Camp. 3. A good packing track, some few feet wide, has been formed up the mountain side, a distance of 52 chains. 4. The tunnel has been commenced and driven 80ft. 5. The machine site selected and water-source traced. 6. Manager's and men's huts, with necessary fittings, such as bunks, &c, and also a stable, forge-house, store and other buildings, have been erected. At the present time the work of obtaining timber for the mine is being proceeded with." In conclusion, Mr Palairet stated that from his observation and enquiries, he was of opinion the Manager, Mr Macpherson, had done good work, which, taking into consideration the bad weather that has prevailed, and the roughness of the country, must have required considerable perseverance and pluck. He also considered the camp well organised, and that under Mr Macpherson's direction he had no doubt on the arrival of the machinery ordered from England the Company will be in a position to proceed with quartz crushing with energy and advantage. Mr Slater, who was present at the meeting, fully concurred in the report, and expressed his satisfaction at the present position of affairs. The machine referred to by Mr Palairet as having been ordered for the Company's use is one of the new " Elephant Ore Crushing " machines, and is expected to arrive about the end of January next. This machine has been spoken of by practical miners in New Zealand in the highest terms ; and from the ease with which it can be conveyed over rough country (the heaviest portion not exceeding 3cwt), is specially adapted for the Wilberforce district. Before the meeting separated, Mr Albert Cuff was elected a Director in the place of Mr James Bell, who is leaving for the North Island.