CALEDONIAN TERRACE.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 241, 9 May 1868, Page 2

CALEDONIAN TERRACE.

(from a special correspondent.) May 8. 1868. The survey for the road to the Caledonian Terrace was completed on Thursday, and we have the comfortable assurance that from the commencement of the bush track, at the Orawiti bridge to the corner of the street on the Terrace, is only four miles. We may perhaps be able to realize this when the road is made, but the pedestrian who wades knee deep through the muddy track, or " slough of despond," will hardly realize the fact, and inwardlv thinks that the surveyor must have dropped a, few miles. The Orawaiti crossing at Long's ancle deep in fine, but a dangerous depth in wet weather,, will be bridged across. Apropos, a small foot bridge has been made by Mr Long, which in a flood will be a great convenience. Poverty Terrace is looking up, and several parties are washing; the tunnels vary in length from 300 to 800 feet, and the workings -.re very dry and comfortable. Good wages are obtainable here, and some of the claims are yielding over £lO per week per man. The population islOOin number, and the whole terrace is taken up and bids fair to employ this population for some time to come. The wash-dirt is looser than that in the Caledonian claims, and more easily washed, in fact it is what once was, a veritable sea beach. The next terrace to the southward on which someprospectiug is being done, is likely to turn out well, the report is that gold has been struck within the last few days, and in all likelihood not only it but the whole of the terraces to the Buller will be found gold bearing The greatest difficulty the prospector has to encounter, is the variable levels at which gold is found in the locality, to arrive at which Rcience, or previous mining knowledge avails nothing. The business part of the Caledonian Terrace population are grumbling at the dulness of the trade, but is this the general result of overcrowding on the West Coast; the population, however keeps steady, and nearly every man is on gold. The prospector's claim is worked out, but a company have taken up a claim facing the creek, including the old prospector's ground, and intend bringing m a large water-race from the ranges, about four miles in length, to wash the whole surface of the hill away into the creek ; they anticipate good results.

The claims all along the lead and on both sides of the creek are rich, and from £lO to £3O per week per man is obtained. The Gorman Terrace is good too, and in full work, every available piece of good ground being taken up, one par ty here are usiug hydraulic power. Several parties are out prospecting, both in vhe range nearer the Buller river and further back on the higher ranges. There is no doubt of the existence of good and heavy gold on the whole line of hills, and the fortunate parties who hit the right level will be well repaid their present hardships. The Caledonian Terrace bids fair to carry a good population for some time to come, but from the difficulty of striking the gold a large population at one time cannot be expected. As no bank or gold buyer exists on the Terrace no approximate idea can be obtained of the weekly return, which is considerable ; and it is a matter of wonder that no or other speculating individual, starts something on such a favorable spot. The rain lately on the terraces has been considerable, but as rain at least two days a week is necessary to supply the creeks and races with water, the miner does not feel the wet so great a hardship as the business portion of the community. The meat market is well supplied, and as bullocks are now driven up this article of food is little or no dearer than in "VVestport. The high rate of packing, necessary however from the state of the track, makes the price of potatoes and other heavy goods very dear. As the making of the road will cheapen carriage, we will conclude by wishing a speedy beginning and a quick ending to this great desideratum.