WARDEN’S REPORT.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2662, 29 August 1871, Page 2

WARDEN’S REPORT.

The following is Mr Warden Pyke’s report (Dunstan district) for the quarter ending June 30 : AH branches of mining have been very dull indeed during the past quarter. Heavy frosts have chained up the water supply, thereby cheeking both quartz mining and sluicing operations in a very high degree throughout the Dunstan district. A fine winter harvest was anticipated by the riverdredges, but groat disappointment has resulted, owing to the immense quantity of tailings deposited in tin river-bed. These tailings are now in some places six and even eight feet deep, and, being of a loose description of shingle, as fast as the spoon removes a quantity, an equal quantity Hows in to occupy the space. Many well known rich spots are overlaid by tailings, and although occasional patches may yet be reached by present dredging appliances, it is apparent that more powerful apparatus is requisite to work the river-bed systematically. f One enterprising dredge-owner, Mr Siddeberg, has sent to Europe for necessary machinery, wlrcli lie informs me cannot be obtained of the required construction in Dunedin or Melbourne. As some interest appears to be taken at present in this matter, I will explain that the Dunstan dredging ground, of proved auriferous character, extends from Clyde to Alexandra, a distance of about eight miles. During this part of its course tic river runs smoothly and with an easy current, there not being any rocks to impede the navigation or disturb the How of water. The bottom is a soft, yellow pipeclay, of untried depth ; and it is on this that the auriferous wash is found. On other parts of the river, both above Clyde aud below Alexandra, I understand that rockbottom is met with; but pipeclay is the more usual bottom, underlying indeed not ohly the Dunstan basin, but also the vast auriferous area extending from tue head of the Bannockburn to the Wanaka and Hawea Lakes’

The bank sluices on the Dunstan Flat, a little below the (’amp, have laid bare the geological foundation of the basin to the depth of 80 feet. Under, and sometimes on the immediate surface there is a compact laj er of glacier boulders, varying from three to six feet fn thickness, under thgso is found a V(jiu of auriferous waste. Then fine shingle extends downwards tq the yeljow clay on whioh another vein of waste dirt is met with. The clay bed dips inward, and has never yet been pierced. I have reason (arguing from analagous geological data in Victor a and California) to believe that beneath this “pipeclay” another gravel waste, containing much heavier gold, will yet bo found. It is matter of regret that no one has yet sunk a few shafts for the purpose of testing this. The above description is equally applicable to the Dunstan Gorge, and to the basins

of Bannockburn, Kavvaru, and Upper Clufcha, above Cromwell. It is in these plains (or “flats,” as they are loyally termed), lying along or adjacent to the great river Clutha, that true “ deep leads ” (ancient river beds) will, if anywhere, yet be found. I am in possession of information which points to the existence of one such river bed in the Dunstan plain. I have no doubt that the present river bed is, geologically speaking, of comparatively modern formation. In remote ages the deeper currents of the river ran in other, probably several other channels, and in these old channels there is every reason for supposing heavy auriferous deposits to exist.

Although reefing is just now somewhat at a standstill, never were the prospects of the quartz-mining community brighter. At Bendigo, the Garrick and Conray’s, and also at Thompson’s, payable stuff has been discovered, and very large returns may be confidently ant’eipated when summer enables operations to be profitably conducted. I feel assured that the district will yet be noted as the richest quartz field in the Province. Statistics.—Population—Alluvial miners : Europeans, 850 ; Chinese, 550. Quartz miners : Europeans, 150. Total, 1550. Machinery.—Alluvial—Whip, 1 ; waterwheels, 5 : hydraulic hoses, 6 ; pumps, 5 ; sluice boxes, 12. Quartz mining—Crushing machines, 2; stamp heads, 15 ; waterwheels, 2. Approximate value, L 30,000 (roughly estimated). Mr Warden Wood, under date Switzers, 18th August, says : “ I have the Honor to forward herewith report for the quarter ending the 30th June last. 1 have no new workings to record ; the European population is about the same as in my last report, but there has been an increase in the Chinese population of about 50. The Chinese seem to be doing well. The Escort shows a steady yit Id. The quantity sent down to Dunedin during the quarter is 2,590 ozs, and I am aware of upwards of 200 ozs going to Invercargill and Queenstown. The estimated population of the district is—Europeans : Switzers, 250 ; Nokomai, 45; Waikaka, including M‘lntyre’s and M‘Nab’s, 109. Chinese: Switzers, 122; Nokomai, 130; Waikaka, &c., 45. Total, 1,701.

Machinery ; .3 water-wheels, 28 hydraulic hoses, 16 pumps, 1,450 sluice boxes. Estimated value, L 3.650, Water-races, 75, supplying 215 sluiceheads of water ; cost, L 18.850. Present value, LB,BOO.