UPPER MANUHERIKIA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 269, 21 June 1867, Page 2

UPPER MANUHERIKIA.

GLASSFORD.

WELSHMAN'S

Sf. B4THANT3

[fKOM OVf; o\V.\ CORRESPONDENT.] I think it is now an undisputed fact that this district possesses not only the best sluicing ground in the Province, but other auriferous capabilities and resources, in proportion. There is also a large breadt.ii of agricultuarl land, but unfortunately it might as well not be existence, as the Squatters will not allow people to settle upon it. Mr Macundrew was to do a great deal towards getting the people the land but has done nothing yet; and now, what with the difficulty with the General Government—things are as bad it not worse than ever; we, poor digg> rs, suffer for everything—we are always on the losing side, it appears to us that all we a e wanted for, is to pay taxes. In Victoria, I sec by the papers that the Government is expending enormous sums of money to enable the miners to get. gold and everything that is possible is being done to develope the resources of the country, and to induce people io make that colony their homes. Such, unfortunately is not the case here, but the reverse exists; every obstacle is thrown in the way, and the class of people who would make the country prosperous and happy are actually bcihg driven away from it. I often see it asked in the papers, how it is that the miners still persist in sending their savings to the Australian Colonies instead of bringtig th _-ir faui'lies to New Zealand. It is impossible for them to do so, with meat at ten pence per lb at:tl bread at eighteen per,C3 the four-pound loaf, and fuel at proportionately high rate?. It is a great pity to see such a state of things existing, and a fine district like this, not containing one tenth of the popuation win ;h it is well calculated to sustain. •

BLACKS. The water-supply to this place has been considerably increased oF late. The " Golden Gate" and " Welsh's" races are running in their fill! compliments ; both of these Companies' races cross the Mannherikia at a span of 350 feet on the " Suspension Flume" principle, so successfully introduced by Mr Filler, and which answers admirably. The sluicing claims arc not as a rule, paying bo well aa sanguine prople might desire, but they are paying very good wages. The "Rough and Ready" Compaiij- at the Peep Lead are doing splendidly, and theirs is doubtless the best claim in New Zealand tho

Wash*dirt is going upon the average 20 "ounces to twelve loads..

The want of water at this place is very seriously felt, and many parties have been idle, or working short hours in consequence. There is cow happily a change in the weather, and a full allowance of the necessary liquid element may he shortly expected. A large tail-race has been cut 'by the Drybread and Perseverance Race Companies; the washing-up from which—say at Christmas—ottght to pay them both handsomely, as nearly the whole of 'the tailings from this place passes through the face. Branch and party, on the hill, are steadily working away, and making satisfactory return?, so arc also the adjoining parties. Business places have been much improved lately, and the visitor may now see some first rate store's and hotels <( Drybread" the original name of this place, was simply so ridiculous, that "" Glassford" the name of the owner of the station upon whose run it is situated, has been substituted, and I think most properly—the .idea of "Drybread" and every one making good wages and no stint of the necessaries of life. A post-office has lately been established, and the Banks of New South Wales and New Zealand have opened branches in connexion with their establishments at Blacks. A direct road to Dunstau Creek is much wanted, and considering the teve&ue that has been received, and the .increasing importance of •both places, a road should be made. At Tinkers, the want of water has also been seriously felt, nevertheless the miners have managed to rub along and make ends meet. Holmes and party and Featherstone and party have been doing remarkably well lat ly, and will do considerably more when they get a better supply ol Water. " Devonshire'' supports « few well-to-do parties who are making satisfactory returns. I think that both this and "Tinkers" will increase in population "during the ensuing summer.

These arc the oldest diggings in the Dunstati District, jind have yielded an immense quantity of gold—tho precious metal being found here before the rush to 1o the Molvneux. At first tlie workings were confined to paddoekittg and tuunc - '!mg, but now ground sluicing has been substituted, and a supply of water to assist manual labor is the great dcsidcr.itun towards obtaining gold. Two immense ■tail-races are being cut up the centre of the main gul'y to carry off the tailings many of the claims having but a ve y slight fall. Brown and Co.'s tail-race 8 threc-quaitcrs<of a mile in length, and in some places is 23 feet in depth; it has taken two years to cut as yet, and will take one more before it is fi. ishetl; the party have obtained very little gold in the cutting up of the race, scarcely sufficient to find them in tools. The second tailrace belongs to Fordham and Co., it is not quite so large as frown's and has been liut twelve months in course of construction to the prcsen*, it trill however take twelve more to complete it. Most all the sluicing parties have been making tolerably good wages lately notwithstanding the great drouth ; the coming spring will doubtless bring an improvement. About a quarter of a mile from the main gully is a very tine seam of "Lignite'' leased by Messrs Pearcc and Washer ; the coal is of first-rate quality and gets hetti r as the seam increases in depth, it is upwards of twenty feet in thickness, and may be compared to a " quarry" rather than a pit; Dunstan Creek, Blacks, and Glassford, alhj derive their supplies of coal foom this pit. A road to the Durstan Creek St. B.ithans) is badly wanted, it is calculated that moderate outlay of £2OO would do -all that the inhabitants require.

This is the most important place in the Upper Hiiiuherikia District, ami is gene rally known as Dunstan Creek, the vie d of gold from here has been something enormous, the Bscort often leaving with over one thousaud ounces ; here we have the largest water Races, a. r d sluicing companies in the Province, many of the undertakings being on a most gigantic scale, tho Scandinavian Race is over twenty miles in length, andwirries twenty heads of water; it has cost upwards of £15,000] then there is the Mountain, and Enter prise Companies' Races, although on a much smaller scale, besides a goodly number of what must be set down as " pigmy' undertakings when compared with tho works just mentioned. Ihc sludge channel cut for the purpose of carrying the tailings from Kildare Hill to Dunstan Cr- 1 -*, a distance of two miles is a most

stupendous affair, and has cost something like £7,000, let alone a -large amount of gratuitous labor bestowed upon it by the ■clairaholders. A second channel at a higher level, is now beiDg formed, the supply of water to the main channel in the summer months being insufficient. No place has better prospects before it than St. Batkans, and with labor more plentiful, and the cost of living, a little more moderate, there is employment here for a large popu'ation, for very many years to come. At Hill's Creek, or Blackstone Hill, the sluicing parties have been making tolerably good wages. The quarts reefs here, will however, be the great feature of the place, and judging from appearances, something that will take people by sur. prise will be soon made manifests