THE GOLDFIELDS.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2053, 3 December 1869, Page 2

THE GOLDFIELDS.

The intelligence to hand from the various digging centres along the northern line of the Province shows that fre-h discoveries are extending rapidly. Scarcely Iml the real mer.ts of the Bendigo Gully been definitely settled than the Garrick Range reefs assumed an imp otance which bids fair to become a formidable competitor f. r public favor. No one can view this range, with its endless intersections, without feeling persuaded that, its general appear nice favors the assumption that it will yet occupy an important in the‘goldfields discoveries of Otago. This opinion is more and more confirmed when we come to consider its relationship to the deep leads lately opened on the Bannockburn terraces, a'so the rich gully workings for

which that district is so justly famed. The auriferous wash and general formation of the one shows that it is nothing more nor less than the bye-wash of the other. The main bottom at the deep leads is a composition of pipeclay, and to such an extent does that sub nance form a component part of the range, that such names ■■■s Pipeclay Gully hj ive been given to some of i s more importamt environs. Presuming this theory of the bve-wash to be sound—ami there does not in the minds of those acquainted with it exist the shadow of a doubt—a vast field for speculation is opened up. The surrounding flats and terraces are both numerous and extensive, so that for the deep lead mine alone a vast field of enterprise awaits. Indeed, the relationship which is thus established between the range and the flat explains a mode in the recurrence of the gold which ought to be useful to the miner in prosecuting his labors. The range is undoubtedly the fpiarter from whence it came, and the very fact that these leads arc extending throughout the flat favors the conclusion that the original source is extensive in proportion. In other words, the conclusion plainly is that the Garrick Range is the repository of golden stone, extending throughout its entire length, and we we look upon the discover! s of the one as an index to the deposits of the other. In short, the operations i f the one must go hand in hand with the other, and upon that principle there is plenty of room on the Bannockburn for many more deep-sinkers than are ac present located there ; and the same may bo said of the Garrick Range in connection with its quartz reefs. The water supply of the district is unfortunately getting short, and to all appearance it will ere long completely fail. The past season has been altogether an unfortunate one so far as that supply is concerned. The saow-fail, upon which the miner mainly depends both for his hydraulic power and sluicing purposes, has been much lighter than usual, and so intensely hoo has the opening of the season boon that what little did fall melted so rapidly away that little or nothing could bo done for husbanding its liquid store. So far as present neces-ities are concerned nothing can be done to relieve matters, and we can only hope that the rainfall will be sufficient to meet the demand, For future operations, however, a question of some importance suggests itself. The construction of large reservoirs throughout the goldfields for the storage of water is a question which has "been under the consideration of successive Governments. So far as survey reports have bjeu made upon the subject, the plan is one which the contour of Otago would suit admirably. Natural basins are "abundant, and by throwing up embankments across the months of a few narrow gor-es, millions of gallons of water could be d amn dup the whoe year round. This is one of the more pressing questions of the day. So long as we get a heavy fall of snow succeeded hy weather of moderate temperature. the chances are in favor of ihe supply remaining full, but each succeeding season proves that this source is not to be depended upon. The immediate revival of the goldfields water scheme therefore becomes a question of very great importance. It has b-en discussed time after time in the Provincial Council, and last Session it was favorably entertained by the General Legislature. There the subject remains for the present, and not until it has been put into a more definite shape can we rely upon the capabilities of the goldfields being brought to a fair test.

The discoveries made in the of Cromwell, have given an impulse to the mining interest generally, which promises to be attended with results of the very highest importance. Butchers Gully in the Molyneux Gorge below Alexandria has turned out stone the trial crushing of which went as much as 24 ounces to the ton. Skipper’s on the Shotover has been again put in motion, and even as far down as Palmerston, we hear of a ree of some importance having been discovered. These facts have but one significance. They point to Otago as a network of reefs, or perhaps we would confine ourselves more strictly within the theory of reefs to say a succession of leads.