OTAGO.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 894, 8 June 1871, Page 2

OTAGO.

The Black's correspondent of the Otago Daily Tinm writes : — Mining operations are still going on in their usual quiet way, and there is nothing of any importance to communicate. The Ida Valley deep lead is still progressing very satisfactorily. The washdirt is now being got up faster than it can be puddled. Some of it, I believe, is still keeping to the old figures of over two ounces to the load. Mr J. C. Chappel sold by auction at the Shamrock Hotel on Thursday last, the Mountain Race at Tinker's Gully, which realised some L 1450. It was purchased principally by the old shareholders. The weather is still continuing beautiful— too fine for the miners. The days are fine and sunny, the nights frosty, the surrounding mountrins being all covered with snow. The Hyde correspondent of the fT«ikouaiti JBetald writes :— Mining workings at Upper Taieri are improving. An abon* doned sluicing claim has been taken xip Ward and party below Hyde. I was informed by the above person that for three weeks a return of one ounce per week per man was upon an average obtained by this party, numbering four persons. He also states there is an unlimited area of sluicing . ground in this locality where good wages can be made

by any industrious parties who would wish to settle down here for the winter," At Waitahuna the increased supply of water favors sluicing work in those parts of the district mostly affected by the late drought. Five claims, of a total area of 25 acres, on Havelock Flat- North, employ 26 hands, six horses, and six carts. Two of the claims have water-wheels of several horse-power. One party lately constructed a water-race for their use. Other parts on the flat have claims at which four, five, or six men are employed. A race has been constructed at German Gully for sluicing old workings. The Erospects are said to be favorable. A ite ramble down that valley, a distance of about three miles, and consisting of gorges and drift flats, in places worked, leads me to think that there is scope in it for claims and works such as chat of Havelock Flat, though, perhaps, it is not quite so rich. It must be remembered that Havelock has ground which was poor in 1865, but is payable in 1871. Some of the spurs at the upper part of German Gully— that is, not far from Chalmers's Half-way House— have indications similar to the Manuka Creek spurs. ■■. - : -"-. .''