A VISIT TO THE NEW GOLDFIELD AT WAIHI.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1360, 19 March 1881, Page 3

A VISIT TO THE NEW GOLDFIELD AT WAIHI.

The following account of a journey from Waikato to the locality of the newlydiscovered reefs at Waihi, with a few jotting* by the way, has been kindly furnished by Mr William Cumming, of Hamilton : — "I left Hamilton about 7 o'clock on Monday evening, en route for Waihi, in company with Mr Field, the local agent for many things, among others for the Accident Insurance Company, with the intention of taking steamer leaving Te Aroha for Paeroa at 6 o'clock the following morning. Judging there would be little time for sleep, and taking into consideration the prospective trouble if we went on to Te Aroha of getting accommodation for man and beast at the time we would be likely to arrive, sports were improvised at Morrinsville by moonlight, and carried on for some time in a very spirited manner, until an iufuriated and avenging angel appeared on the scene and spoiled the sport considerably, there being level betting for a short time as to whether there would be a 'row'orno 'row,' but a stiff breeze and mutual interchange of compliments were very soon followed by a calm. The general opinion was, that it was not .all over by a good deal, but only 'bottled up' until the delinquent was once more under his own " roof, to the shelter of which he appeared to be in no hurry to betake himself. Leaving the Castle, we arrived in tfue course at the ferry, and got the ponies across for better stabling. The punt, by the way, is a miserable concern, and appeared to be nearly one-third full of water below, causing it to oscillate in a very unpleasant if not dangerous manner. However, we got over safely, and saw the animals comfortably housed and fed. On making enquiry, we found there was no steamer till the following morning, and there was nothing for it but to get the buggy across and try it overland. We found the road pretty good— a few rather stiff sidelings, where the weight requires to be kept on the up-hill side, and one or two places in their natural state, inclined to be steep, and Where, with a powerful brake and two or three holding on at the back, yon can pilot yourself down with care. The worst place finishes up with a sharp turn and sudden dip on to some pungas laid down on a swampy place at the bottom, over which there is just about two inches to spare on either side of your wheels. Making enquiry, I was informed that the job was done by a Scotchman, and that the County Council were all, or nearly all Scotch, which accounted for no more material being put down than was actually necessary. We arrived safely at the Criterion Hotel, Paeroa, about 12 o'clock. There are four large hotels in the place, a number of stores, and a very small court-house and lock-up (though the latter, I believe, is large enough tor the requirements of the place). Having procured steady saddle horses, we proceeded to Owharoa, passing Mackaytown (which presented rather a deserted appearance). We reached our destination about 5 o'clock, putting up for the night at a small but comparatively comfortable accommodation-house newlyerected. There are only two mines, I believe, turning out payable stuff here, convenient to which is erected a fifteenstamper battery, and three or four bcrdans driven by water-power (turbine). Only five head of stamps were at work, on account of the scarcity of water. We left for Waihi at 5.30 a.m., some seven or eight miles distant. There is a good driving road all the way from Paeroa to within about two miles of Waihi ; the whole distance could be done on wheels, I am told, by going the new road which tui'ns off to the right about three miles from Waihi. We visited the Prospectors', but being rather early, there was no one on the ground. Left for the other spur about a quarter of a mile distant, in which the reef is being driven in, but has not as yet been cut ; it crops out on the surface nearly the whole length of the spur, which is literally covered with very likely-looking stone, exactly similar to that to be found on the Prospectors' hill. I cannot form an exact estimate of the thickness of the reef, but it will likely run from twenty to thirty feet. It is very kindly country, with little or no timbering required, with good waterpower from the Ohinemuri river. Visiting the Prospectors' on our return, we were kindly shown the reef in the upper level, which is cut through. It is about 20 feet thick, showing gold right through. They are driving at a lower level on both sides the spur, and have got stone in the low level. It is very dark, almost black,and the gold can be plainly seen. Taking the size of the reef, the facility with which crushing plant, &c, could be placed on the ground, and the economy with which it could be worked (if, as I believe, the water supply is adequate) into consideration, a very much smaller return than the Prospectors and others on the same line of reef are likely to receive, would pay handsomely. On our return we reached Paeroa about noon, where we met with several old Thames and Waikato acquaintances, Mr P. Lipsey, late of the Bendigo, Shortland, and others. We made a start at 3 o'clock, and found the ponies had been well looked after at the Criterion, kept by Messrs Cassell and Bennett. One of the proprietors informed me that, as it was the first buggy that had been there, it would be well to s>ee that everything was right myself. We arrived at Te Arolia wibhoub meeting with any accident, a little after 5 o'clock, and found a little excitement about some really excellent specimens just brought in by the manager of the Prospectors' ; the stone was almost covered with heavy fiakey gold. The Smile of Fortune is also in luck's way. The boiler for the battery had only that day been placed in position, and the starting of the machinery is anxiously looked forward to. It may then be found that there is more gold in Te Aroha Ranges than many peoplesome not altogether disinterested — would lead people to believe. It will, at all events, place it beyond being a matter of conjecture. We left Te Arolia about 7 p.m., making a stay at the Castle to bait, at which place, by the way, they charge more for horse feed than they do at Owharoa (perhaps the fodder is of superior quality). We left there at 10.30., arriving home at 1 a.m. We had a sample of surface quartz from the big reef crushed in Mr llobson's battery, which gave a very fair prospect."