MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 214, 2 June 1866, Page 3

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

I (from our own coruespox&knt.) Opposite Quartz-reef Point, and in the middle of the Clutha River, is a piece of ground known as Nobby Island. Some two years ago part of this island was tried, and proved to be highly auriferous; but, despite the services of powerful pumps, the quantity of water which permeated into the claim from the south branch of the Clutha was much more than the miners could contend against, so that up to the present time this auriferous island has been allowed to remain entirely undisturbed. Most readers of the Dunstan mining intelligence are aware that a powerful company, known as the Nil Desperandum, has been engaged during the last eighteen months forming a monster dam to°turn the southern branch of the Clutha into the northern, at Quartz-reef, and that durin" the late flood a large breach in the dam was effected, which unfortunate casualty brought about a complete cessation in the progress of the undertaking, at least for the time being. The dam, however, even in its damaged condition, lessened greatly the volume of water in the southern branch, rendering a considerable extent of the skirts of Nobby Island (above water which prior to the construction of the dam was submerged. About eiorht or ten days past Ebden and Hamson two of the Nil Desperandum Company, crossed to the is'and, and tested the ground lately become visible above the water. After clearing mulloch for a few hours they dropped on some of the best wash-dirt yet discovered in the district, the lowest yield being a pennyweight to the dish. A rush at once took place to the spot, and all the ground breasting this branch of the river was immediately taken up There are now eight parties settled down to this work for the winter season, and all deem their prospects of much more than common-place value. The ground of the island can be tunnelled with safety, so that a large amount of gold may be

extracted. It has been already fully ascertained that the golden ground i* not confined to the island, but that it runs across this branch of the Glutha to what may be termed the main land. The shareholders in the Nil Desperandum undertaking are greatly disconcerted at the misfortune which befel their dam, they being now in possession of sufficient proof that their scheme was a good one, and would not have failed to prove remunerative. A little over one hundred yards below this valuable island Mr. "Wood the proprietor of the ferry, has opened, on the southern side of the Clutha, some very promising ground, and judging by the yield of the prospects taken from off the bottom on Wednesday last the newlyopened claim will pay handsome wages. Two miles still lower down the Clutha, and near the town of Cromwell, a very extensive flat exists, and although known to be auriferous, the miners have not attempted to work it to any extent, owing to the want of a fall for drainage purposes. Calwell, Robinson, and party have brought a water-race to the terrace overlooking the flat, and with it they are enabled to devote immense power to pumping purposes. The first claim being worked on the tint with proper appliances is paying to the utmost satisfaction of the shareholders

Sluicing operations on the point breast-" ing the confluence of the Clutha and Kawarau are being carried on with boundless energy. The Irresistible Water-race is giving constant employment to very many hands, and the working capitalists, Messrs. Thomas and Tippett, who caused its construction, are receiving the most handsome returns weekly for their outlay. The race of Horrigan and party, in the same locality, is in full operation. The number of men employed in connexion with the two races gives the town of Cromwell a very busy aspect. The whole of the surrounding localities are looking highly hopeful in a mining point of view, and the inhabitants cannot well have any misgivings whatever as to the future prosperity of themseves, individually or collectively.