MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 215, 8 June 1866, Page 2

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

ALEXANDRA. (from our own correspondent.) Hitherto the miners at Campbell's Creek, Potter's Gully, and Waikea River invariably deserted those localities during the winter season, the weatber being deemed much too inclement for mining operations. In Potter's Gulley and Campbell's Creek a large extent of half-worked ground exists, but to remove the heaps of mullock now covering unworked blocks requires more manual labor than can be remuneratively bestowed : therefore the miners are now turning their attention to ilio agency ol water, and ground sluicing for the future will be carried on extensively in these localities. The miners of these districts are well acquainted with the system of working old ground now so successfully adopted by the miners of Conroy's and Butcher's Gullies, and are also well aware of its remunerative results, and are consequently induced to remain beyond the Old Man Range throughout the winter months. They have built for themselves substantial abodes; such as will secure comfort at all times, whatever the inclemency of the weather may be, and have also provided themselves with a large stock of provisions of every description, and in that respect are perfectly indifferent as to whether the weather will allow a packer to cross the ranges between this and the spring of the year. The different parties who have resolved to remain at Campbell's have had much experience in that district. The valuable localities in the old ground are well known to them, and although they have often done well in turning over maiden ground, they nevertheless are strong in the belief that their most remunerative days will dawn in ground sluicing.. The water of Campbell's Creek, Potter's Gully, and the Waikea river is current throughout the winter, except when much more than ordinarily stubborn frost sets in, and there is every prospect of these enterprising parties being well remunerated for their labor, despite the disadvantages arising from the inclement weather. Ground sluicing once introduced in that extensive and highly auriferous district must become a souro of profit to a large number of miners, and, doubtless, the experiences of next summer will induce many to follow this system on a very extensive scale. Butcher's Point has again resumed its quondam activity, but in several of the c'aims the system of working has entirely changed. L During the last two or three winters the ground was stripped down to the wash-dirt, the process demanding a large amount of weary labor. However, when the Molyneux became low in volume the shareholders generally succeeded in getting out of their paddocks sufficient gold to compensate them to a very satisfactory extent for the labor bestowed. The front of each claim skirting the Molyneux has been worked out, and in tracim* the wash-dirt landwards the miners have deeper stripping to contend against than they can profitably carry out; consequently they are directed by policy to adopt the system, of tunnelling, and the parties so engaged during the last three or four weeks have not been annoyed in the least degree by any water permeating into their claims from the river. The whole point will doubtless continue a busy scene until some extra flooding of the uncertain Molyneux takes place. Among the most successful tunnellers are Parker and party, and unless a change in the payable quality ot the ground unexpectedly ta';es place they look forward to a steady yield of from £7 to £lO per week per man throughout the winter season. Even in the sum. mer months the ground in most places will be workable, except from causes a; before stated, and even then work on the point need not be altogether suspended. This locality will in future support steadily a good number of miners, and none of the old hands will probably be disposed to leave again for the West Coast, and return thence, as several did a few weeks past, much lighter in puree than when they left at the rising of the Molyneux some months ago. The sheet-iron wheel on the screw principle, belonging to and invented by Mr. Coleman, is at present driven by the current of the Molyneu*. It can be set far into the river or made to work near the bank, as may be required, and it is sufficiently powerful to work a couple of pump of large calibre, and thereby a large paddock may be kept dry night and day without any manual labor whatever. The fluming of the water of Butcher's Creek over the Molyneaux to Butcher's Point well, in a few weeks, be effectually completed, and it is a consummation devoutly to be wished. This company has formany reasons been singularly unfortunate in carrying out the design. Some of the shareholders were unable to meet their calls and those who could pay for themselves at length grew weary of advancing funds for others, and hence the delay. Timber only is now wanting, which, however, is now in course of pre- ]

paration at the Lakes, and is expected down during the current month. All the necessary funds to complete this great undertaking are safely lodged in the bank, so that upon that score no let or hindrance need' take place. This hopeful work once culminated, Butcher's Point will become a most active sluicing locality in addition to its present activity in tannelling.