BALD HILL FLAT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 276, 15 May 1873, Page 6

BALD HILL FLAT.

(From a Correspondent.) May 6th. I find by perusing the " Dunstan Times " a letter from a correspondent headed Bald Hill Flat, reporting on a netting held at Kemp's hotel, and I must state it is the most scandalous pack of falsehoods ever was reported in the press — not more than three sentences in the report are correct. The resolution, or rather the amendment, which it ought to have been, aud an observation Mr. M'Guinnis made were near the mark. The following is a correct report: — April I,Bth. A meeting took place at Kemp's hotel. A number of miners and cockatoos were present. Mr. Hugh Crossan was voted to the chair, and called on Mr. Simmonds to address the meeting. Mr. Simmouds said the meeting was called for the purpose of considering the desirability of forming a company to construct a sludge channel in the Bald Hill Flat for sluicing purposes, tie suggested that it should be taken through Messrs. Kemp and Crossan's sections aud terminate on section 27. i Mr. Crossan and Mr. Kemp made proJ posals to allow the channel to be constructed through their sections by paying compensation. Mr. Crossan's offer was £12 and Mr. Kemp's £15 The length of the channel proposed would be about one* mile, and he suggested the size of the channel should j be 20 to 24 inches in the bottom, with a fall of 4§ to 6 inches to the twelve feet, and batter of 4 inches to 12 in walls. The walls to be of stone, from 3to 5 feet in height. He thought it would be advisable to form a committee to draw up a prospectus ; and he would suggest t'uat the shares in the company should be £5 ; ss. on allotment, and ss. on acceptance ; and calls not to exceed 2s. 6d. or 3s. per week. He thought it would not interfere with the farmers at the present time ; but no doubt if it should be the case, they were bound to be paid compensation.' There had been a meeting of

the G-orge Creek Company and they proposed to give the night water free of charge for six months ; and, if not let, they (the Sludge Channel Co.) should have it both night and day. He thought that the formation of a company would be the most advisable plan to carry out; the scheme, as the parties taking up shares would be the 1 most likely to work the ground with the assistance of the business people, who, be believed, would willingly support anything beneficial to the district. It was evident some parties had a good opinion of the Flat, or they would not have commenced such an undertaking as a large tailrace from five to six hundred yards long. One of this party, Mr. Lytbgoe, stated that, by some mistake, they took vvi-ony levels, and found they had not sufficient fall, and gave it up. They had sunk holes on the terrace, but the prospects were poor. Mr. Simmonds remarked that the present ground in the creek was nearly worked out ; and if steps were not taken in some way to give employment in this locality, in a short time they would have to pack up their swags and travel, which would be rather painful to parties with families. He felt certain they could not find a better district, go where they would. Mr. AVebb then asked Mr. Simmonds a number of questions, some of which were tar from the subject ; but I will detail a few. He asked: What do you suppose the chauuel will cost to construct ? Mr. Simmonds : Had made no calculation, not knowing the length and size the company might make it. Mr. Webb: Don't you think it would cost £2000 ? Mr. Siunnonds : No ; I do not think it would cost a fourth of that amount for construction. The labor could be done for nearly £300. Several miners of our experienced Butchers were of the same opinion as Mr. Webb. Mr. Webb : What size do you propose to construct the channel ? Mr. Simmonds : I would suggest 20 to 24 inches in the bottom, with a batter of 4 inches to the foot in walls, and 4:1 to 5 inches to the 12 feet fall. Mr. Webb : That will not carry 16 heads of water, nor half the quantity. A number of Mr. Webb's minors were of the same opinion. Mr. Webb : What percentage will it pay on the outlay ? Mr. Simmonds : That will be for the committee to considers Mr. Webb : But what do you think it will pay ? Mr. Simmonds : I do not know ; cannot say. Messrs M'Donough and M'Ginnis made a few remarks. Mr. Webb : Do you expect to reap a benefit from the sludge channel ? Mr. Simmonds: I most decidedly do. There were a few sundry remarks passed by a few gentlemen on the question, but not worth detailing. Mr. Webb immediately proposed the following resolution: "That we. the inhabitants of Bald Hill $lat and vicinity, at a public meeting assembled, many of us old and experienced miners, ard of long residence here, knowing that Bald Hill Flat as a whole has been fairly prospected — unless in section 27, no payable ground has been found — deem it most unwise, to construct a sludge channel ; and consider the construction of such a channel a waste of labor and money.' 1 Seconded by Mr. Timothy Wilk,ins, and carried. Mr. H. Tohill proposed a resolution, " That a committee be appointed to carry out the views of the promoters of the sludge channel on Bald Hill Flat, to consist of Messrs J. Fish, Simmonds, J. Lytbgoe, J. Simmonds, and the mover." Seconded by J. Simmonds. The resolution was put and lost. Mr. M'G-innis said that Mr. H. Tohill's resolution could not be put to the meeting, the former having been carried. He insisted it ought to have been an amendment. The point was argued strongly, but the resolution was put to the meeting. A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close. If not intruding on your columns, I will make a few remarks on the proceedings. I must say the meeting was altogether one-sided, owing to a clique being forme'l for the purpose of overthrowing the scheme. Mr. Webb states in his resolution that the inhabitants of Bald Hild Flat were of the opinion that the Flat was fairly tested. His clique consists of about ten individuals, nine out of whom are in the cockatoo line. He stated that they were mostly experienced miners, and the proposed sludge channel would cost £2000. He referred to his own tailrace, about 600 yards in length, as costing £1500. To give an idea of the cost of the tail races, T will take those of Butchers and Coal Creek, and measure the tailraces, which together will be about three and a half miles in length, or 288 chains. Allowing £6 per chain, on an average, they will amount to £1680, very libtle over the cost of his 600 yards. That's experienced miners for you. He states again that the proposed channel will not carry 16 heads of water ; and that two or three parties would fill it up with tailings. The idea is ridiculous. Take Butchers Gully as an instance, where there have been 30 to 40 miners sluicing daily with tailraces not exceeding 14 inches wide, and very often scarce of water.

Where were the drawbacks then? None; but double the number could have worked without the slightest difficulty. In reference to the payable nature of the Flat, the resolution says they know " the Flat has been fairly tested." I should like to know how these gentlemen gained their information, for I am certain it is not from their own experience, for nine out of the ten never sunk a hole in the Flat for gold, nor have seen many sunk in their time ; but it is a well-known fact that all the holes that have been bottomed have contained more or less gold. I ma) mention that gold has been got within the last few months in Mr. M'Donough's sections, when cutting the foundation for the new house, and by the pi'ospects it would pay £10 per week. This is no secret, and I may mention the ground was offered for sale for mining purposes. Another instance I will give. Mr. H. Crossan in sinking a well convenient to his house, got gold from the surface to a depth of 8 feet, as far as he had sunk.