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Globe, Volume VI, Issue 657, 28 July 1876, Page 4

Jackson’s Bay. —We extract the following passage from the report of the resident agent, dated June 30th :—“A Fishing Com paay has been established at Smooth water, which, when fairly started, will no doubt prove a success, as fish are plentiful, and to be found in great variety, and of first class quality. Another party are out sealing, and up to date have been very successful, seals being very plentiful on the coast this season, Another company are about starting a saw mill in Smoothwater, where there is some good timber, and water available for motive power. Some two months ago a discovery of considerable importance was made by a party of prospectors on a creek falling into the Jackson river, viz. the finding of a gold bearing quartz reef, showing, when opened, a thickness of 32ft. Galena and other minerals have been found in the same place, and the result has been that five gold-mining leases have been applied for, and a number of 500 acre mineral leases have been applied for, and are now being surveyed in the same neighbourhood. Disputes about bonndwiw necewiuted a visit from the

Warden, when arrangements were made for the issue of miners’ rights, and the collection of goldfields revenne (£47) having been paid for miners’ rights up to date; lam not in possession of sufficient data to pronounce upon the value of the discovery, but the sample tested gave—No 1. quartz and pyrites, loz 6dwt Bgrs per ton. No. 2. pyrites from quartz gave 3oz Odwt lOgrs per ton, the sample of quartz gave 6 per cent of pyrites, The stone was tested by Mr Lewis, asaayer. Hokitika. The result of the small test is very satisfactory, especially so when we consider the great thickness of the lode, but until a much larger quantity had been tested by the ordinary process of crushing, &c, it would be unwise to give a decided opinion. With regard 'to the other minerals, when the leases are applied for, I am not in a position to say much, not having seen the prospector’s lode. The country looks well for minerals, and I think it only requires prospecting to open up valable mines. Should the present discoveries prove valuable they would be comparatively easy of access, being only eighteen miles from the Bay; the road passing up the Jackson Valley in continuation of the main road now making through the settlement, could diverge into the Cascade country through the low saddle that connects the two valleys. The valley runs S.W. for over twenty miles, and forms a natural road to the Martin’s Bay Settlement further south, and as this valley is said to contain a large amount of good land, and comparatively clear of bush, it would be of importance to have it opened up.”