OTAGO.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 670, 5 May 1870, Page 4

OTAGO.

.The following are a few extracts from a very (interesting report furnished to the Government by Mr Warden Beetham, of the Queenstown district, under date April Bth: — In mining operations the progress has been steady, and uncharacierised by any undue or unhealthy excitement such as existed during the quartz fever of 1867 and 1863, which was naturally followed by a reaction so complete and disastrous in its character as to paralyse- for a length of time all progress in the development of quariz mining. Now, however, partly consequent upon the recent discoveries at Bendigo Gully, and partly resulting from the evident richness of the quariz lodes of the-Upper Shotover, considerable progress had lately been made in developing the resources of the district with reference to that branch of mining. The Nugget Reef may now be considered as fairly tested ''by a prospecting extending over two years, which has resulted in the formation of a company, and the erection of machinery upon the lease. Terrace working by means of tunnelling and sluicing employs now a much greater number of miners than were engaged in it twelve months ago. Operations in this direction have resulted in opening up much ground which was not supposed to be at all payable, while some terraces have been found to contain almost fabulous quantities of gold. I have heard LI 500 refused for one month's earnings of one share of a terrace claim. A vast extent lOfthia i ground is either untouched or only partially worked, ... The river-bed workings' are yielding an abundant second, and even third, harvest to two classes of workers — the dredgers and the Chinese. The Upper Shotover, the Arrow, and the Cardrpna, are the principal places which are thus being reworked ; but it is quite certain that the mountain streams which abound in the Wakatipu will be systematically reworked by both Europeans and Chinese. The dredge Enterprise, owned by Messrs Ashcroft, .Graves, and party, which is working ttie bed of the Shotover about 1$ mile above Skippers Point, has succeeded. in proving payable ground. This dredge, which is ope, of the largest on the gold fields, is 37ft in length and oflsf i beam ;

it cost more than L7OO. The whole of timber used in the construction was cut at Robertson's saw mills, and was packed 23 miles on horses. This timber, with the machinery, weighed 13 tons. In the opinion of the proprietors, the whole of the river-bed from Sandhills to The Forks, a distance of about 10 miles, will pay handsomely for dredging. The party are paying wages at the rate of L 4 10s per week for all men .employed. This is the first dredge at work in the district. In every portion of my district, mining operations are extending, and becoming more and more permanent and remunerative in their character. I desire, with reference to this subject, to point out the marked increase in the yield of gold in the year 1870 as against that of 1869, being 47360z. The total yield of gold during the year ending March 31st, 1870, was 22,2030z, representing L 36,036 12s 6d. This is a most convincing proof of the increased prosperity of the district. Under the Gold Mining Lease Regular tions are held 392 acres, and about 412 acres are held under the Extended Claim Regulations. Great as the progress of the district has been during the seven years in which it has for the most part been under my charge, I believe that the next seven years will shew a still more rapid development. The transition from the days when every living soul hrthe district wa3 under canvas to the civilisation ' of the present is great, and looking" upon this field as the outpost of civilisation in the province, most remarkable and interesting. Blocks of country which, seven years ago, were utterly waste, and unoccupied, are now covered by enclosed fields and dotted with smiling homesteads, producing grain and food in abundance for home consumption, and for export to- less- favored regions. Radiating from the smaller centres of population in the more alpine and sterile portions of the district, "parties of miners are dotted in every direction, living for the most pan; in stone or wooden houses, and surrounded, comparatively speaking, by every comfort.. The miner of 1870 differs as much from his pioneer of 1863 as does a cultivated field from a howling wilderness, possessed of conveniences and appliances which his less fortunate brother of old never dreamt of ; he settles down to his occupation as one which will interest and occupy him for life ; he builds himself a comfortable house, cultivates a garden, and marries (for" a very large pro portion of our miners have taken unto themselves helps meet .for them). The consequence is, that a hardy young population, inured -to hard .work and alpine frosts and snows (but to no other hardships), are reared to work those mines which their fathers will but have opened for them. Nor are these children without every advantage, educational and otherwise. Schools of a" very high order are (except in very remote "situations) available for them, and their spiritual welfare is cared for. The resident clergyman, and the frequent visits of others,, supply the religious requirements of the district. The following is the estimated.population'of the district, on the 31st March: — European miners, 703 ; Chinese do, 635 ; business people, 262 ; population engaged in agricultural pursuits, &c, 477 ; women and children, 786 ; total population, 2868, cf whom 1343 are miners." Of the latter, 668 are alluvial, and 40 quartz miners. The number of sluices and toms in the district is 225 ; of water-wheels, 10 ; of hydraulic hoses, 64 ; of pumps, 50 ; of sluice-boxes, 1100 ; of quicksilver and compound cradles, 1 ; of boring machines, 1 ; of crushing, machines, 4 ; of stamp heads, 59 ; and of whims and pulleys, 15 ; the approximate value of- all the mining plant in the district being L 46,037. The number of square miles of * auriferous ground actually worked upon is 96. The average price of gold per dunce in the district is L3 l7s 6d. " ' '