MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 205, 31 March 1866, Page 2

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

FROJI A CORRESPONDENT. Vitality in milling matters throughout the Dunstan district is weekly on the increase, especially in connexion with the Kawurau and Molyneux rivers. Up to the present time the workings were mostly confined to bench and river claims, particularly those on the Molyneux, which were at all times liable to to be interfered with by floods. In countless instances valuable claims no sooner had become workable than they were suddenly submerged, and the hopes of many months blighted in a few moments. The miners at present are directing their energies to the terraces overhanging the above-men-tioned rivers, therefore are enabled to bestow labor remuneratively in working the beach claims only in the proper season of the year. The original sluicing claims at the Kawarau Gorge are at the present time yielding handsomely—a hugely increased yield of gold being obtained from the terraces, as they are worked landwards. The shareholders in the claims here are constantly in receipt of very satisfactory dividends. In addition to these claims, new ones are being opened with every prospect 0/ a sunny future. The Mountaineer Water Race Company have opened their first olaim within the Inst few weeks, and although they have had no formal washing up, sufficient proofs have beed obtained to show that the ground is equally as valuable as any yet opened. Another new claim of a highly promising class is that of Kitchingham and party, situated in a block of geound which has been left untouched between the Eallarat and Greaves and Wilson's claims. This company, some weeks past, tundelled the ground so as to test its value before undertaking the arduous task of sluicing off" the top stuff necessary to reach the washdirt. The tunnel yielded most satisfactorily', and the work of sluicing is now being carried on with great energy. The third new claim is that of Wrigmore Needham and party, contiguous to the claim of Greaves and Wilson. This company, unfortunately, are not in command of hydraulic appliances, owing to all the available water at present being taken up ' by the adjoining claims. These disadvani tages, however, do not seem to have dis- . couraged them, for they are proceeding to 1 extract the precious metal from it by tuni nelling—the grouud being of such a nature ' that the drives will not require timbering. r The Gorge, on the whole, is at present in a more health condition than it has been

since it first became -the scene of mining operations. The industry, coupled with the sanguine temperament of the miners, cannot but generate admiration, even in •the minds of the most unconcerned. The terraces of the Molyneux, from Cromwell to Clyde, are being much more extensively worked than at any time since the river became a " goldfield. Facing the town of Cromwell, the Irresistible Eace, and that of Horrigan and party are forcing everything before them into the river. On both sides of the river, claims are being taken up and worked wherever water can possibly be procured. Between Adams's accommodation house and Stuart's Hotel, many busy senes of labor present themselves to view. Mr Felton, of thlrfalcon Hotel, has taken, up some on a terrace nearly in front of his house, and in all probability this place will soon become a scene of extensive sluicing operations. On the same side of the river, the Pioneer "Water Eace Company have just completed the enlargement and general renovation of their race. Their ground, some three miles above Clyde, will at once not only employ the working shareholders but also many wages men. On the western side of the liver, sluicing the terraces is also being carried on in various parts, with satisfactory results. Opposite Gibbs' Halfway-Hotel, a party from the Nevis have set in, and owing to their heterogenous nationality, have styled themselves the "All Nations Company." The ground opened by them looks very promising. Whitaker and party at Green Point appear to be setting in to work in earnest. Below Clyde, on each side of the Molyneux, the hopes entertained of the "goodtime coming" seem about to be realised. At Mutton Town Point, Sandy Point, Coal Point, and Poverty Point, scores of sluicers are at. work, and one and all seem confident of success. The river is going down fast, and some of the claims that cannot bo worked without a fall into it for their tail-races, may now be worked. The All England Eleven Claim at Sandy Point, is one of the most important of this class. For a considerable time past it has been at a standstill, owing to the high state of the river, but now the Company are enabled to re-commence operations, and with improved and powerful appliances, the claim must at once become one of considerable profit. The Albion claim, of scarcely less value, holds at present exactly the same position. Wages men are scarcely obtainable. The large claims at Alexandra will require a hundred men in less than a fortnight. The district may now well be considered in the highest state of prosperity.