MINING- INTELLIGENCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 1327, 23 December 1869, Page 2

MINING- INTELLIGENCE.

(FROM THE "WEEKLY LEADER.) It is not often that we can write so trustfully on mining matters as we can on the present occasion. Notwithstanding* that recent legilation has, by improvidence and misguided action', left, as it** were, our miners in the lurch, yet the^ sturdy fellows themselves have proved equal to the emergency, and surmounted all difficulties, and they are and were not few, and have rescued the country from a state of despondency to a state of the utm st confidence, fur the full effects of their recent discoveries are not yet generally felt, yet thjy aie sure to come. The news of fresh gold field* being' discovered here is sure to briny back a large population to our shores, wh > will only be to glad to set in when they see there is a chance of their* earning something more than mere tucker. Our population is far too small ; indeed, it nrght be trebled, for the quantity of auriferous cou try we possess. The ciy was two years ago that the country was worked out, ar.d that it was no use prospqfting any more ; that the back country was valueless, and proved to be barren of mineral. Recent events have proved this to be a mere fallacy — a cry got up to suit the views of a few parties, probably steamboat owners and others (o fill their steamers with passengers,"* and probably refill them with the same men in bringing them back. Be it as it may, the miners in times of prosperity, when they» had money in their pockets, had been induced to leave the country through artifice or other, and it is well known now that they have been so, if we judge from the pitiful letters which came from men of known respectability in proof of our statement. But, to digress, the most recent and most important discovery that has been made is that which is supposed to be a continuance of the Brighton Lead ; we say supposed to be, because that fact is disputed, not by_ the many, bnt by the few ; but that it is so, >ye feel almost cer- - tain ; but a week or two will prove it. It was- said at first, by those who considered, themselves knowing ones, that the prosppctors' claim on the Brighton was but a patch, and that it would soonJigyWorked out, but what has been the fact? Why, that not only have- the prospectors struck gold, but half a dozen others, or el c our information is at fault, and it is likely that ere many days more, now that- the lead is properly defined, that a good many more will drop on the precious metal. Then, * again, further east (about a mile and a half) 5 of the prospectors,' another party have tapped the mine. True, it is said that their , tunnel is only on a spur, but that spur runs parrallel with the terrace, or as nearly so as possible. One thing is certain, that some men feel satisfied that there is some hopes of the continui'y of the lead, or, indeed, that perhaps a fresh lead may be discovered, from the fact that application up to 21st instant, had been made for protection to fifteen tunnels, and we hear, although we will not vouch for its truth, that the whole leng;h of the ground, from

Arthur's Town to Woodstock has been marked out. While we are on this subject, we may state that great hopes are entertained that*" the proving of the Maori Reserve Co.'s ground is near ng an end. '1 he men have now pknty of water, and aie working night and day for the purpose of getting the shaft b'.ttomed. At the Ilau Ilau and Blue K pur we have nothing new to report; mining is sfe.-.dily progressing, and we hear few complaints. 'I be Caledonia Company are proceeding steadily with their race, which they expect will be finished in a few months. '1 his

race commands a great deal of couutiy known to be auriferous, but, although too poor to be worked, when the great amount, of stripping is taken into consideration, will pay excellent wages when water can be brought on to the ground. L j For further information rcgardV'ng mining, we must refer our readers to the correspondents' letters appended.