THE WAKAMARINA DIGGINGS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1259, 1 April 1878, Page 3

THE WAKAMARINA DIGGINGS.

[By Telegbaph.] [PKOM TUB PKEfS AGENCY.] Havelock, March 30. There is considerable excitement in the Wakamarina district on account of a reported new alluvial find on the goldfields. A new terrace was opened by “ Darkie Arthur” while “betting ” on the eastern river bank about six mih-s from Canvas Town, and one mile south of Mountain Camp Creek. A drive was put into the washdirt, and one ounce three pennyweights to the “ set ” obtained. The party could not bottom on account of the water, and the tail-race is now being deepened. The ground on the terrace is pegged out for three-quarters of a mile. Two claims, one south, and the other north _of “ Darkie Arthur’s ” are on similar washdirt, and it is presumably payable, but the in-flow of water is very great. Leahy and party, to the South, aro making a tail-race, and Mullaney and party, to the North, are working night and day to keep the water down and bottom. The difficulty with all the claims to the North and towards Mountain Camp Creek, is a large hard reef between the terrace and the river, which must bo tunnelled to get the water off. Another difficulty is the want of water for sluicing, as the rights to the present head races are now vested, and at the outside there are only sufficient for three claims. Any additional available head of water must bo brought from a distance of five miles, at least, over a difficult run of country. About twenty strangers diggers are en the ground, and a few are now in Havelock ; but there is nothing to justify a rush at present. Unfounded rumours in Picton and the Wairau as to a rush have caused these miners to come. The whole district is “patchy,” and until something more definite occurs diggers should not believe reports emanating from a distance. Your reporter spent two days in going over the ground, and, although good payable gold may bo found, the area is limited. It h reported in Canvas Town to-night that Lloyd, a Wellington prospector, found a quartz reef, but the report lacks confirmation, and nothing can bo believed. The holders of two claims on “ Darkie’s Terrace ” are panning off this afternoon, and your reporter will send the result when obtained on the ground. The present sinking is about 40 ft. from the surface, and, although there is a good fall for tail-races to the river, five distance varies from 300 to 500 feet, and consequently it is no “ poor man’s diggings.”