CALEDONIAN.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 344, 7 September 1868, Page 2

CALEDONIAN.

(from otjr own correspondent.) The mining prospects of the Caledonian are greatly enhanced by the discovery of the lead of gold on the Buller side of the terrace. Prospecting is at present going on about the Bald Hill, between the Buller river and Ballarat Terrace; it is the opinion of some men who have had considerable experience on the Coast, that the same lead of gold runs at the base of the ranges in that direction ; gold has been found on this line of country, but not in payable quantities. In a recent instance, at the foot of the Bald Hill, a shaft was sunk, and without any success, but this is accounted for by prospectors of experience who state, that the parties did no go in the right line of the Caledonian lead. However, I believe some others are going to try their luck about the same place. Much sympathy is evinced for Mr

Bull, who met with such a sad accident last week, as he was much liked both by his own mates and the residents on the terrace.

On German Terrace, Homer and party have been the prospectors of a new lead of gold. They state that they crossed a lead of gold before they came to the present, and that both that and the run in question appear to go towards the sea beach. Cook and party have also been successful in coming on the above lead, and washing will commence at this ground in a few days, the only delay now being the bringing down of water. At Giles' Terrace, Evans and party will be washing in a few days. Perry and party start to wash this week.

Davis and party have purchased Luke and party's tunnel, and will be stacking their wash dirt this week. Two or three parties have commenced tunnels below the prospectors, and will have to go in about 1500 feet to reach the lead. At Deadman's Creek Terrace a share in Simon and party's claim changed hands a day or two ago, for about £IOO. Mr M'Kenno became the purchaser. Simon and party have not commenced washing as yet, but have their wash dirt stacked and will begin this week. The wash dirt in this claim is now three feet in thickness, and of the same class as that of the Caledonian. When first struck it was only one inch, but gradually increased as they went in, and it is of a rich kind.

M'Farlane and partyjhave not reached the lead of 'gold as yet in their claim, and from the course the wash dirt appears to he taking in Simon and party's claim, it will be three weeks before they can reach it. Bonetti and party, of German Terrace, who have taken up Strange and party's claim, are lowering their tunnel, and will have to go in 150 feet to reach the back run of gold ; the back run is four feet deeper than the upper run, and they hope to reach the lead in another week. A track to Giles' Terrace is very much needed, and the residents now intend petitioning for it. The portion of the Caledonian track which was only corduroyed by the late contractor, was the cause of accident to a pack horse on Saturday. The horse belongs to Mr M'Farlane, and was carrying four cwt when he fell on the timber, and rolled over into the drain at the side of the track, and were it not for the promptness with which Mr M'Farlane rendered him assistance, the animal would in all probability have been killed, however, he escaped with some severe cuts both on hind and fore legs. I am happy to state that the District Engineer has directed this portion of the track to be gravelled, and it will be commenced on Monday by Mr Malony, the contractor for keeping the road in repair.