WOODSTOCK NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 654, 5 June 1882, Page 2

WOODSTOCK NEWS.

[from our own correspondent.] Upper Woodstock, Juuel. In sending you my first batch of items from Woodstock, I venture to congratulate the colony at large on the prospects which have so far been met with here, and lalso venture to say, that from all I can see, my future budgets will contain even more favorable accounts of the field. The population of Woodstock is on the increase, and new claims being pegged off almost everyday ; its appearance is improving very fast too, new tracks being cut through the bush, some of them gravelled; while paddocks for holding the wash-dirt are being built in all directions, and the appearance of the water-race to sluice it is anxiously looked for. Several parties that have been»““'duffered ” here, have gone to a small rush about a mile and a half up the Hokitika river. j

The “ Scstchmen ” who have been working on a claim for the last thirteen weeks, are at last completely duffered out, but are about to try their fortune again. J. Smith (lately of Ashburton) and party, have struck a lead of gold about tweHtyffive yards wide, some distance to the west of the main lead, and running parallel to it. It prospects pretty regular and in the centre of the lead yields three grains to the dish. One party bottomed a few days ago, and got eight grains in the first dish tried ; surely that would satisfy the most sanguine.

Burke’s claim, which is situated on the main lead,, nearly a mile from the township, still continues very good, and averages about fifteen pennyweights to the load, while McKennar’s claim, further west is giving sixteen and seventeen pennyweights to the load; between them are the “ Oxford Boys ” getting from five to seven pennyweights to the load.

The Italians’ claim is improving wonderfully. Three weeks ago one of the party —Martinee—sold his share for LB, and now LSO would not buy it. The man who bought the share went down below to work, but the huge stones in the roof and sides so frightened him that he called to be drawn up, and could not bo induced to again venture his life below. Martinee has been duffered out of a claim since, but is again trying to tempt fortune to smile on him.

Mayo and party (among whom is Price, of Aalibprton) bottomed last week, and after 'driving a short distance got very good prospects. This claim was, until it was bottomed, farthest down the lead and nearest the sea, but on Sunday the news got about, and on Monday morning two parties were on the spot waiting for daylight, so that they could see to peg out claims. Quite a little rush took place, and nearly a dozen claims have been pegged ofi farther down the lead. It is evident that the main lead will, before very long, be traced right down to the sea. ( Shades are getting valuable, one in McGovern’s claim being held for L 250.