THE WAIMEA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

West Coast Times, Issue 640, 12 October 1867, Page 4

THE WAIMEA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

October 9.

During the week miners have availed themselves of the supply of water , obtained from the recent wet weather, and generally speaking the results have been quite satisfactory. The quantity of gold disposed of is large, so that the next consignment to Hokitika, will be rather a heavy one.

At Lamplough the rush which set in on Thursday, the 3rd instant, is not of consequence at present, as but one party have sunk down- to the cement, which they reached at a depth of about seventysix feet, and washed about two grains to a dish. The claim is situate about 150 yards north of where gold is at present found, and in a direct line with the lead. The holders are driving in the hope of striking payable washdirt, and a good many parties are "shepherding" .until they can learn something definite as to the value of the ground. At Quinn's Terrace success still attends the labor of claimholders. In some of the ground much trouble is caused by a super-abun-dance of, water percolating through a layer of gravel, and in many instances where a party is not strong enough to work on night-shifts, half the day is taken up in baling. Duckworth and party, six in number, have been troubled in this way, but are overcoming the difficulty by erecting a whim, at which they have been busily employed for three weeks. It is to be worked with one horse, and will prevent the water from gaining ground, with ease. Great hopes are- entertained that the run of gold found at Quinn's Terrace will be traced to within a short distance from the Arahura River, as shafts sunk on the top of the high terrace to the westward of Quinn's diggings are bottomed at a depth of 120 feet on payable washdirt. At Eed Jack's Gully

some very coarse gold is obtained. A nugget, weighing 2oz lodwt, was found there lately, aud many pieces of fair size have lately found their way into the hands of the gold-buyers. After the inquest on the body of Alexander Riddell, held at the Royal Hotel, Stafford Town, on Saturday last, the men — or rather a portion of them — who had volunteered to carry the body from the fourth Scandinavian terrace to the place of inquest, had further trouble to carry the body to the Waimea township and dig a grave. Some of the party had returned when the inquest was over, and the Coroner told those who remained that the Government had nothing to do with the interment of the body, and said if they could not afford to give their time they had better make a subscription. The miners, however, who had been christianble enough to bring the body so far were not behind hand in taking further trouble in the matter, but at the same time could not but express their indignation at the authorities who disclaimed all responsibility in such a case, and who would neither did a grave nor give notice that such work must be done by private persons. At Stafford Town there is no lack of amusements, Messrs Holland, Joyce, Burgess, Peel, and several other performers being there, and succeed in obtaining a very good attendance. Bogdan's Welcome Hotel lately much improved and enlarged has been used for the entertainments on several evenings. The encouragement accorded has induced the theatricals to once more visit the town and they will no doubt be again well patronized.