GOLDFIELDS REPORT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1168, 5 August 1885, Page 4

GOLDFIELDS REPORT.

The following extracts from the statement of the Minister of Mines are of local interest : —

TUAPEKA. .1 remained two nights and nearly two days at Lawrence. One of the latter I occupied by going across the hills to W aipbri, a distance of about 18 miles, and |wa.s accompanied by Mr J. C.i\Brown, M .H.R. The diggings on Waipori are auaong the oldest of the Otago fields, and during their earlier history could boast of a large and prosperous population. But now the active workings are few and the community small; there, too, asatisfactory revival would take place with a plentiful water supply, and some judicious aid to enable miners to thoroughly test deep sinking at a low level. Judging by the natural contour and appearance of the country, compared with similar conformations that I have seen in Australia and America, there are good reasons to anticipate excellent results from deep sinkifcg. I returned to Lawrence, and next morning I inspected the Wetherstones flat workings and deep sinking shaft. The latter is under the management of the Tuapeka Prospecting Association^ It has been sunk 275 ft, with a drive of 214 ft. The promoters are hopeful of their prospects; * ; but require further moderate aid in assisting a greater development of the mine. [Some very extensive mining operations In this locality ate being successfully carnled on by , the hon. member for ; Tua peka and others. I then inspected the i Lawrence drainage or sludge channel, I whicth appears to be doing good work, and itowatrds which £5^000" was voted by the House. I also r Tisit9d Gabriels Gully, Blue Spur, and the principal mining works in that locality. At no part of my , -tour of inspection have I seen more' Interesting and practically scientific i hydraulic workings than in full operation at Gabriels' Gully.

ROXBURGH. I crossed the river at Alexandra and \ went in the direction of Roxburgh, stopping on my way to visit a reef that is being • worked at a high elevation at Old Man ; Range, the proprietors of which seemed satisfied with their prospects, although they had no crushing machinery on the | ground as yet. I went on to Roxburgh, where I put up for the -night. loathe

morning I crossed the Molyneux or Clutha to inspect the mining operations that are being carried on opposite to Roxburgh by hydraulic sluicing in dry portions of the bed of the river ; and, to give an idea of the advantage of having plenty of water power for this purpose, one party showed the small specks of gold, and informed me that such a prospect to every small truck of wash-dirt, with plenty of water at their disposal, means a result equal to £10 per man per week. It must therefore be evident that even in ground moderately auriferous it becomes only a question of ample water supply to enable a quantity of wash-dirt to be made use of within a time to recompense the miner handsomely for his labor. GOLD DREDGES. I proceeded up the Clutha river some distance, where a large steam dredge was at work. I boarded the dredge and acquainted myself with its' operations. I was informed by one of the proprietors that the washing-up was performed twice a week, yielding an average of about 30oz each time, or equal to 60oz per week. I saw some of the gold, which was bright and pare and inclined to coarseness ; but here there is much need of improved gold-saving appliances, as much of the fine gold is lost through the heaviness of the black sand brought up with the wash-dirt and manipulated with it. This dredging company have a lease of the river frontage included in their lease, and, considering that the width of the river averages at this locality about five chains, I came to the conclusion that the area of the river-bed granted to one company was too great and approached a monopoly. I consequently communicated to the warden of the district my opinion that one-fourth of the area would be a fairer allotment to grant in the first instance to similar dredging companies. This extent of river-bed water may perhaps be thought too small by some hon. members, but I feel convinced that one mile ought to be the maximum in any case. The dredge referred to is anchored in the centre of the stream, and during the months she has been at work the proprietors have found it unnecessary to alter her position very much.