OUR COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3328, 20 October 1873, Page 3

OUR COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE.

Waipori.— For some time past mining in Waipori has been in a languishing state : the field has been thought to be worked out, and people, tired of toiling for a bare living, have been gradually leaving to seek better prospects in what they hope will prove richer localities. But there have remained some with greater faith, who have worked on and struggled against disappointment, in full confidence that their labor and enterprise would ultimately be rewarded ; nor have they been disappointed. Keating and party, at great cost and labor, have brought in a full supply of water ; so that they have now the means of sluicing on a remunerative scale. For years past they have scarcely earned “ tucker ’’ ; but not only have they been successful in bringing in water, but they have prospected the ground thoroughly, and been rewarded by the discovery of a second bottom, with from ten to twelve feet or more of washdirt. The new ground thus opened up gives promise of being much richer than the surface; the gold is rough and nuggetty, and there is every prospect of ample return being realised on the capital invested. For seven years Keating and party have been at Waipori, making a bare living, if even that, and now I am glad to say they have the prospect of dividing L2OO per man for two months’ labor.—Dreevor and party have been equally successful, and look forward to a capital washing up.—Encouraged by the prospects opened up by tire two parties mentioned, Webb and party have taken up a claim adjacent to Keating’s, and the indications lead thorn to believe they will also be well repaid for their labor. The only drawback to these promising prospects is that there will be some difficulty in getting rid of the sludge, should the ground be worked extensively. This, however, should not be allowed to interfere with the working of a goldfield capable of sustaining a population such as will shortly be gathered at Waipori on the further opening out of the lower stratum of gold containing deposit. The residents at Waipori are so impressed with the conviction of its richness that they have subscribed liberally in order that it may be thoroughly prospected.—The O.P.Q. Company continue to drive in search of the reef, which there is every indication of their striking in a very few days. The chief drawback to our prospects now is the wretched condition of the road. It has been dreadfully cut up during the last winter; the ruts are some feet deep, and although there is some prospect of an improvement now that the weather is drier, unless something is done and done quickly it will remain impassable, excepting for horsemen or vehicles aa strong as stage wagons, throughout the summer. This might be remedied at light expense by employing a few daymen to fill up the ruts, when it would settle down to a good road and form a pleasant drive for holiday parties from Dunedin desirous of having a peep at a digging township. I hope this hint will be taken by those in authority.

Maerewhenua.— A tramway is proposed to be laid from the terminus of the tramway at Maerewhenua station to Naseby. It is thought that this work will not encounter any insuperable engineering difficulties. All that is necessary is a sidelong cut up the north branch of the Maerewhenua, as far as the Kyeburn Saddle. No bridges are required, but a few culverts would be necessary. There is plenty of material in the locality for the building of the culverts over a few blind gullies. The cost would be about LII,OOO at the most. The proposed tramway would bo the only outlet to the interior of the country extending to a radius of 100 miles, that is to say, from Palmerston to the Lindia ; and as the railway will be brought within thirty miles of the town of Naseby, passengers and goods would be bound to take advantage of the rail as far as possible, and Kyeburn coals would always be available ; and that of itself is a consideration, seeing that article is of great value at present at this place. All the farm produce required for consumption on the other sitle o£ tKe mountains would be taken from the Oamaru district, and all tire wool grown on the other side would find its way through the Pass, and waggons would never go empty, seeing that the Oamaru limestone, which is in great abundance on this station, could be used for building purposes. A deputation from our Miners’ Association will, ere this reaches you, be on their road to Dunedin, to see if the sheepowners have legal power to stop the miners from using the water Imre, which the runholders claim as their sole right for sheep-washing purposes. North (JUvjo Times.