MINING INTELLIGENCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 910, 22 August 1868, Page 4

MINING INTELLIG ENCE.

(FROM TIIE HOKITIKA MADEB.) The accounts from the mines are not so satisfactory this weelc, as on all sides a cry for water has been raised, and still is ringing, to the great discomfofturo of the many diggers who live by the hand \o mouth system, and who can ill n fiord l<> let their washdirt lay long uuulilisod. The drought — or rather, let us bo ctmdid and say the few days of fino weiUlior with which the country has been blossed — lms been particularly felt in the "Wainion and Kanieri districts, where nearly all the sluicing claims have stopped work in consequence, in fact in those districts almost constant rain seems to be an imperative necessity to maintain their average of prosperity, for be it known the miners have made no provision for hoarding water, which (the soil being porous and shingly) flows away nearly as fast as it falls from the sky. Excepting a very few small dams not a reservoir is to be found in any part of either district unconnected with water raco Companies, and the two or three reservoirs of moderate- size which have been built by the latter are unable to withstand the push of a week or two of dry weather. The water races to dry up with a celerity that casts very serious suspicions upon the permancy of their sources, indeed we are inclined to think there is not a race in the County that will run more than six Government sluice heads in a dry season. Far be it from us to cast the slightest slur upon the waterrace companies, which to a man have discovered perseverance and enterprise in the highest degree commendatory. We merely wish to point out that a want vital to the best interests of every soul in the community of TVestland is yet unsupplied, or at the best, very partially so, and also to induce theundertakingofsomegrand scheme of irrigation for the mines that will, set the question at rest for ever. Sometime ago the idea was entertained of utilising that vast and never-failing natural reservoir the Kanieri Lake, and we see no reason why it should not be carried out in its entirety. A race from the Kanieri TLake would, so far as height is concerned, command every hill, terrace, and gully in the occupied parts of the Kanieri district, and the supply of water so derived and supplemented, by the various smaller races already in tise would be amply sufficient for the wants of the district. In other districts lacking such a source of supply, dams tint would collect immense quantities of water might be constructed in suitable situations at a comparatively small cost soon to be recouped, and which would yield an enormous rate of interest for many years. We commend the subject of water-supply to the serious consideration of the Westland public. This, and opening-up the country are the questions of the day. Of the several water-races intersecting the Kanieri and Waimea districts, one of the largest and most promising is that of the Leviathan Company, to which, as being in the course of construction, we have many times alluded in former reports. It has its source in the Karaka Creek,- and was undertaken with the view of supplying the Waimea, out and high lying workings, with water, but at the same time its level ■will command any part of the district, and considering the extremely merged character of the country through which it runs, the ditch has been cut with unexampled rapidity, and we are informer! by the manager, Mr Aslunore, now reaches Fox's, and by the latter end of next week the distribution of water to the many claims there waiting for it will commence. From Fox's the race is to be pushed on with all speed to Greek's, and from thence to Liverpool Bill's Gully, and the £>ld Waimea.workings. Already the race is exercising a most beneficial influence upon the above places which, all but deserted a few months ago, are in the course of reoccupation by hundreds of miners who, with a sure prospect of a fair supply of water, are eagerly taking up that ground which was abandoned as worthless, only because water to work it with was unobtainable. This revivification is especially apparent at Greek's, where a snng little township, surrounded, by scores of diggers' huts, is springing up. Bed Jack's is also redivivus from the same cause, and will receive water simultaneously with Greek's. The news brought down by the steamer Tarra, which returned from Jackson's and Bruce's Bays and Okarita, on Saturday last, has not added much to our information concerning the progress of mining on the Southern goldfields. We give a full report of the trip in another column, and we are sure that our readers will be glad to find that she effectually succoured the unfortunates at Jackson's Bay and the Haast Biver. No miners were working south of those places. The late dry weather has given a decided impetus to mining about Boss, where so much deep and wet groimd is in hand. The miners of the various deep claims at Jones' Flat and Donoghue's are making splendid progress, and also that the Alexandra Company, at the latter place have got their machinery in working order, and are pushing the shaft down with all speed. It is expected to be on washdirt in the course of ten days. The drainage question is again occupying the attention of the good folks of Boss, who seem bent upon introducing a better system of drainage than the one now in vogue. Beyond the unconfirmed report of the bottoming of another golden hole at seventy feet, nothing has reached us during the week from the ltedman's rush. As we stated above, the Kanieri district miners have suffered greatly during the week from the want of water. At the old Five-mile, sluicing on the terrace has been perforce suspended, the two waterraces (the Pioneer and the United) having no more of the fluid than just sufficient to keep the waterwheels on the flat going. The men, however, stick to their respective claims, to bide patiently the time (not far distant) when the return return of West Coast weather will supply this most pressing want. This resolution on their part is not surprising, as the further the wonderful old terrace is worked into the richer does its 3'icld become. At the same time, the want of fall is likely to prove a very serious hindrance to the thorough and economical working ot the back ground. In several of the cluims a great deal of the washdirt has to be lifted by hand — a process anytbing'but conducive to good and i*apid sluicing. This difficulty might be met by the construction of a tail flume to the river; and although the undertaking may at first sight seem a mighty one, it could be easily carried out, if boldly grappled withunited action on the part of the terrace sluicers*. The tunnelling claims 'at tho

upper end of the terrace are yielding splendidly, with ho end of work before the lucky shareholders. The latter are, however, for the present, obliged to confine their operations to driving out washrlirl, sluicing it being out of the q-cstion, until rain comes. .During the past fortnight a Pew shares in these claims have changed hands, at prices varying between U lO and ,C(50 — tho original holders being desirous to try their luck at the Queensland and North Island goldfields. The wntei'-wlieel companies on Commissioner's inul TCnniovi flats, have got on very well during the past week. The Galatea men arc pushing their main, drive ahead to the southern boundary of the Camp Reserve, and report that the ground will pay at the rate^of 1 oz of gold to the set of timber. The Co-Operative Company will soon be ready to make use of their new windinggear, the geatest part of it beinsr in position. We understand that their returns last week amounted to 48 ozs. The Great Western Company, adjoining, also worked to profit, as shown by the very handsome dividend (£7) declared. In another part of this paper will be found a full report upon the Woodstock, or old Eight-mile workings, which, we are glad to say, are in a very prosperous state. It is doubtful, however, if the lead in hand there will be traced across Mosquito Plat, but we feel confident of the ultimate discovery of many good patches and small leads tho Flat and Arthur's Town. A correspondent at the Blue Spur workings (Three-mile Creek) writes very hopefully of that lime-honored place, which, he says, has gained in popula tion rather than otherwise, during the past month. The old Blue Spur lead is under the sluicing process, yielding very well indeed, as may be inferred from the fact that £120 was paid for a share in Beard's claim, and £200 for a share in Crawlcy's adjoining it. These sales were transacted about a fortnight since. Lowrie and party who hold the claim on the olhcr side of Beard's, have just finished a large dam on the ri^ht-hand branch of tho Three-mile Creek, and believe they have thus made provision for a constant water supply. The last claim in work at the end of the lead is held by Crebcr and Co., who report favorably respecting their returns, and believe that payable ground will not be exhausted before the middle of next year. The tunnel opened some eight months ago — in the high terrace, on the South side of the Three-mile Creek — by Leyden and party, tyith the design of striking the Old Cockney lead, is about completed at a length of six hundred feet having reached payable dirt — the outskirts of the old workings. On tho north side of the Three Mile Flat, at a place called Kollett's Hill, Cameron and party are sluicing with good results. They have just finished, a head race from the Arahura Flat. Eoyso and parly, who hold the adjoining claim, arc bringing in a race from the head of the .Three Mile Creek, and hope to have .water on the ground by the end of the present month. Tunnelling at Kellett's Hill is being followed bj Roberts and Co., who hold a lease of one acre of ground. It pays well, and is reckoned to be one of the best claims on the creek. So far the north end of the Prince Alfred lead in the Little Paddock, has turned out but poorly, gold being scattered and patchy. It is, after all, doubtful whether the lead will be traced continuously through the paddock. The claims on the southern half of the lead is unexccptionably good, especially those ■which, commencing with the JDarkies' spare ground, include the Doyle's tunnel claim, M'Gregor- and party, the Darkies' crowd, All Nations, British Columbian, Victorian, and five others which lie between the Victorian, and where the lead terminates at the side of the Paddock. Grumbling, however, is prevalent amongst the miners on account of the scarcity of water, and that there is no way to make good the deficiency excepting at enormous cost. The method in vogue of extracting the gold from • the washdirt by means of the kiln and hand* crushing is condemned on all sides as being tedious and expensive in tho extreme. We shall have something to say upon this subject in our next issue. We are happy to say that Fraser and Co.'s machine and the works in connection with it are finished. The wheel will be christened in a few days, and then commence work, which, as the Company has a fair supply of water dammed back, is not likely to be checked, excepting by a break down or some other untoward occurrence, and of this there is not much likelihood.

The rush to the Queensland goldfields may be said to hare terminated, and according to the Melbourne papers tJie inevitable reaction has set in, many miners having returned with but indifferent accounts of the Northern Dorado, which is described as over populated, and what is worse as being extremely unheaHhy. This statement is borne out by the local papers of which we have received files to date, July 15th. We have largely extracted from them, as they give a fair and unvarnished report of mining matters, and also a list of the various reefs in work with the names of the principal shareholders, and other particulars that we believe will prove interesting to our readers. With regard to alluvial mining the "Nashville Times" of the 11th ult., says : — " Of alluvinl matters there is not much to report. The workings on the Deep Lead, to which we referred in our last, are being satisfactorily carried on, whilst in the various gullies and flats there are to be found many who are making ' tucker.' It is whispered that another deep lead has been discovered, and that already many shares have been disposed of. Blocks of abandoned ground are also being taken up under the leasing clauses, and there is before us the prospects of employing machinery for other purposes than the more crushing of quartz. This is what we wish to see, as instead of cur gullies presenting their now deserted appearance they would be musical in the sound of busy action. Machines will be numerous here shortly. At the Bank of New South Wales, on Thursday, we saw a nugget obtained in Nuggcty Gully weighing 20ozs 7dwts — a splendid solid piece." The same paper's Yabba correspondent says : — '• Jimna Creek is looking up. We are beginning to have a more civilised appearance than when I wrote you last. The arrival of various drays, both from Brisbane and Maryborough, has done wonders for us. The old pack-horse system is in some measure giviug place to a better state of things. In the stead of small parcels of goods exposed for sale in the open air, under the umbrageous foliage of a black-butt, or beneath a small canvas fly, or a couple of sheets of bark, we have now some half-dozen stores of a pretty substantial character, while others arc being erected by various gentlemen, among wliicli I am happy to notice one for Mr Steelc, the druggist. The rather numerous cases of fever and aguo wo have Had

renders the presence of a druggist veiy rjquisile. Drs Cummins and Armstrong have also put up their shingles, fo it will not be in consequence of the absence of the medical profession if we have plenty of sickness in our midst." Concerning the reeling interest the •'Times" of the loth ult. writes as follows :—: — "There is tfow a great deal of speculation in reference to our quartz reefs. All are supposed to be auriferous, and each one in its turn is pronounced to be a good thing for the investment of capital. It must be remembered, however, that we are as yet in our infancy of reefing, and consequently considerable caution should be exercised. Willing as capitalists may be to encourage by their pecuniary aid the development of what we thoroughly believe to be a future source of wealth, yet it is inadvisable that anything approaching a mining mania should be encouraged. Verb. sap. " The accounts daily received of the various reefs are encouraging. For instance, on Saturday last, the holders of the claim lopped off from Messrs Curtis and Co., and bordering on Messrs Pollock's, struck upon some magnificent stone, so, at least, it was reported, and the specimens wo were shown were good. At the Homeward Bound Reef 36 ozs. have been taken out of three buckets of stuff from the prospectors' claim. In No. 1 Bolton South gold has been struck, and the stone promises well. In other reefs good prospects are obtained, and the yield in those familiarly termed the Pioneer reefs maintains a good average of — well, richness. " The Pioneer machine crushed during last week quarz from three separate reefs, two of which were first crushings, and we are happy to say proved payable. Eight tons from the Sniithfield yielded rather over 8 ounces — poor in comparison to some ; but as it is one of the widest reefs now opened, and easily worked, the various holders may now go ahead with a good heart, as the stone crushed appeared as barren of gold as is the Eeefer's Trouble, or Blue Tack. Ten tons from the Onc-tnile Eeef, prospector's, yielded over 6 ounces per ton. Eleven tons from JN"o. 3 south, Caledonian, helps to maintain the report of this favorite reef, although not so good as previous crushings, the total being rather more than 73 ounces. The machine is now idle, bxit will re-com-mence to-night or to-morrow by crushing quartz from the West Coast Eecf. " Subjoined is a list of some of oiir reefs, with their names, the name of their prospectors, their areas, and the number of claims taken up : — German, April 24, Wiuckel and Co., 240 ft. Claims taken vp — 6 south and 5 north. Jones', May 1, Richard Jones and Co., 280 ft. Specimen, April 25, Edward Greaves and Co., 240 ft. Claims taken up— l south and 1 north. Canadian, Hay 28, George Perkins and Co., 280 ft. Claims taken vp — 2 north and 4 south. Lincolnshire, May 28, Hy. Patrick and Co., 360 ft. Claims taken vp — 2 north. Union, May 27, A. Mann and Co., 280 ft. Claims taken vp — 7 south, 4 north. St. George's, Muy 14, Jno. Hutchinson and Co., 166 ft. Claims taken up— 3 north. Champagne, May 2, Jos.Hynes and Co., 200 ft. Band of Hope, May 15, Thomas Kenny and Co., 200 ft. Claims taken up— 2 south and 3 north. Hamburgh, April 29, H.Badc and Co., 240 ft. Claims taken vp — 1 north. Old England, April 30, A. Thomas and Co., 127 ft. Claims taken vp — 1 south and 8 north. Eureka, May 6, J. Jefferson and Co., 280 ft. Doctor's, May 28, T. Aliorn and Co., 300 ft. Ballarat Star, May 28, T. Byrne and Co., 360 ft. Greeuhill, May 1, G. Blacker and Co., 360 ft. Edwards', April 30, H. M'Kenzie, 200 ft. Kentish, May 8, W. Herbert and Co., 280 ft. Claims taken vp — 1 north and 1 south Sydney, May 8, C. Youuger and Co., 360 ft. Claims taken vp — 4 south and 4 north. Queensland, May 14, Threlkcld and Co., 280 ft. Claims taken vp — 1 south and 1 north. Duke of Edinbnrgh, May 12, J. S. M'lntyre and Co., 360 ft. Claims taken up— 3 south and 3 north. Golden Curry, April 29, J. T. Thrclkeld and Co,, 360 ft. Claims takeu— G south and 6 north. Prince Alfred, March 27, M. Horan and Co., 280 ft. Claims taken vp — 3 south and 3 north. St. Patrick's, March 27, M. Walsh and Co., 200 ft. Claims taken vp — 3 south and 2 north. Dodd's, March 19, J. Fisher and Co., 240 ft. Claims taken vp — 4 south and 3 north. D unbar, April 16, S. Dunbar and Co., 280 ft. Claims taken up— 2 south. St. Kilda, Juno 2, Thos. Black and Co., 360 ft. Claims taken vp — 4 south and 3 north. Britannia, June 2, J. Cornish and Co., 300 ft. Claims taken up— l south and 1 north. Alma, June 1, T. Cowell and Co. Claims taken vp — 1 south and 1 north. London, June 2, W. Wootton and Co., 280 ft. Claims taken vp — 4 soutli and 3 north. Abyssinian, May 30, A. M'Ewan and Co., 329 ft. Claim "taken vp — 2 east. Never Mind, May 30, J. Purcell and Co., 280 ft. Claims taken vp — 2 south and 1 north. Liverpool, June 5, Juo. Hagan and Co., 210 ft. Claims taken vp — 5 south and 6 north. Hibernian, March. 7, J. Kenny and Co., 280 ft. Claims taken vp — 2 soutli and 4 north. Lucknow, Feb. 26, T. Channon and Co., 280 ft. Claims taken vp — 3 south and 3 north. Victoria, April 8, S. F. Robinson and Co., 240 ft. Claims taken vp — 4 south and 1 north. Boulton's, April 8, T. B. Boulton and Co., 180 ft. Claims taken vp — 4 soutli and 1 north. Excelsior, April 15, F. L. Henzell and Co., 360 ft. Claims taken vp — 4 south and 4 north. Lady Mary, Pollock and Co. Caledonian, Goodchap and Co. Louisa, Wray and Co. O'Conuell, Marks and Co. West Coast, Feb. 13, J. Bennett and Co., 360 ft. Claims taken vp — 2 south and 2'nortb. Serpentine, May 22, A. W. Compigne and Co., 360 ft. Claims takcu up— 3 north. Hope, May 19, L. Do Haau and Co., 200 ft. Claims taken vp — 3 east and 2 west. Mount Pleasant, May 19, Potter, Hawkes aud Co., 360 ft. Claims taken up— 4 soutli and 5 north. Hilton's, March 3, T. Hilton and Co., 240 ft. Claims taken vp — 8 south and 7 north. Welcome, M'Donald and Co. Russeirs,.Russell and Co. Smithfiold, Smith and Co. New Moukland's, Owens and Co. Cornish, Cornish aud Co. Inglowood, Jamioson and Co. Balding's, Balding and Co. Nil Dosporaudum, Searlo and Co. Criterion, Juno 9, H. S. Littleton and Co., 360 ft. Claims taken vp — 5 soutli and 2 north. Navvies', Juno 9, C. Gillivcr and Co., 300 ft. Claims taken vp — 2 soutli and 2 north. Columbia, Juno 10, H. Cunard and Co., 360 ft. Claims taken vp — 1 south and L north. One-mile, April 21, H. Barker and Co., 260 ft. Claims taken vp — 3 soutli and 3 north. ■ Hit. or Miss, Juno 12, W. Greon and Co., 860 ft. Claims taken up— 2 south and 1 north,

Clavering, June 15, J. \V. Mercer and Co., 360 ffc. Claims taken vp — 2 north. Alliance, M'Cann and Co. Nelly Ryan Eeef, J". Eeilly, F. Hunt. Claims taken up north and soutb. All Sereno Reef, Hardeastle and party. 14 north and about the same number south. Holbeck's Eeef, Holbeck and party. About 6 Bouth and the same number north. Amy Eeef, Valentine and party. 3 North and 3 south taken up. Dublin Eeef, Craven and Co., prospectors. Several claims taken up north and south. Gloria in Excelsus Deo Reef, Kelly and Co., prospectors. Claims taken up north and south.