WARDEN’S REPORT.

Evening Star, Issue 2800, 7 February 1872, Page 2

WARDEN’S REPORT.

The following is the report of Mr Warden Simpson (Tuapeka district): — I hare the honor to forward to you the gold mining statistics of this district for the quarter ending the SlstDecember, 1871; and in doing so would call attention to the increase that has taken place in the number of quartz miners in the district. This branch of mining industry has received a considerable impetus by tho discovery of several new reefs in the district. The first I would mention is that discovered by Mr Thomason the Devil’s Creek, 11 miles to the north-west of the township of Waipori, on the Lammeimoor Range. This reef runs east and west, and the trial crushing of three tons of stone gave six ounces of gold. The next discovery was that by Mr Kitchie, 90 a bfauch of the

same jange, five miles nearer Waipori, and on the.ewji Saramerlaw Creek, also running east and west. The yield from tn eef trial crashing was about one ounce to the ton of stone. Since the trial these reefs some much richer specimens have been brought to the surface, particularly from Thomas’s. In this part of the Waipori district I expect many more reefs to be discovered. But the discovery which has attracted most attention is that by Marks and party on the hill between Wetherstones and Gabriel’s Gully. This reef differs from those already mentioned, that it runs north and south with the underlay towards Gabriel’s. At a depth of 28 feet the reef has widened out to over 3 feet, presenting the appearance of a well-defined reef with some leaders running into it. The trial crushing of two tons of stone taken from a depth of 12 feet from the surface, yielded 18 dwts. to the ton. Claims have been pegged out in all directions in the most wild manner, and many are out prospecting. The Ocean View Reef, at Table Hill, up to the time the water began to fail, continued to keep up a steady yield of about half an ounce to the ton. Several reefs were during the quarter discovered between the Ocean- View and the Round Hill, or in a direction due west of the Ocean View, but none of the crushiugs from these reefs have proved them payable. Considerable hope is however enteitained of the one in Old Identity Gully. The Waipori 0. P. Q. reef still continues to he worked, and were it not for the great expense in working, would pay handsomely. The alluvial workings throughout the district, up to the time the dry weather set in, continued to yield their steady returns, as is shown by the gold escorted, which is considerably in excess of the corresponding quarter for past year. It is from our own part t { the district, viz., Table Hill, or Woqlshed, that the increase has come, and may be put down to the development of the working on Manuka Hill.