MINING NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1002, 12 October 1871, Page 2

MINING NEWS.

SOUTH BEACH.. . [from our own correspondent.] October 11. There seems to be every probability of the Lagoon Lead once again assuming an important position in the mining world. Encouraged by the success that has attended the enterprise of the two large companies that took in a tunnel from the lagoon, large parties are now in the course of formation for the purpose also of taking in tunnels. The only wonder is that this ground has remained so long idle, fur when it is remembered thai; there is little short of two miles of country from the old lead to the Teremakau, through which it is well known that this lead continues, and most of which has not been worked, it is not surprising to hear of fresh claims being taken up. If this ground was only a few thousand miles away men would be flocking to it, but because it is so near it is almost' disregarded. The character that the old workings earned of being pile claims, coupled with the payable nature of the ground that has lately been opened, is a good omen that it will continue payable. All this immense track of country has to . be opened and worked, and the only wonder is ! that it has remained in its present, state so long. No doubt this has been caused by the difficulty of properly prospecting this ground, aud the time taken in constructing a tail-race to do so. Now, however, the idea of attempting to prospect it by means of sinking shafts is given up, and tunnelling alone is relied on, as being the only proper method to test it ; so 'much faith is now being reposed on this lead turning out welL. that the . Leviathan Water-Race Company have in contemplation to extend their race from the Saltwater to the south end of the Lagoon Lead. 1 Another small race is spoken of as probable of being taken there. So .that with tunnels going in, claims being taken up, and water-races ■ extended to it, the prospects of this lead are certainly in the. ascendency. There will soon be quite a little township formed here ; there is already one hotel ' and another in the course of construction j and there is very little doubt that the township will be con- . siderably enlarged in course of time. The Co-operative Water-Wheel Company have worked their easterly lead on the northern boundary, and purpose now to try the middle run, which it is expected will pay then handsomely. . This they thoroughly deserve, for they have invested largely in procuring splendid working gear. The ingenuity they have shown in their machinery . deserves the greatest commendation, and it is to be hoped they, will get well repaid for their labor. Clarke and Co. (late Marshall and Co.) are still working, with their usual result ; they have removed their washing gear a little to the south of their old one. This party was the pioneer of the wheel companies, and has been one of the most successful of them. The Maiden City still maintains the character it has borne from the first as being , one of the best paying wheels on the beach. Although they have only had manual labor to depend on, yet the large space of ground that has been worked shows that they have been very industrious and persevering, and well deserve -success. Quinn and Co. are also very busy, and have worked a large piece of ground, and it is to be hoped that they have been paid well for their labor. Waters and Co. are yet working near the Half-way Hotel, and although the high tides have put them to great inconvenience, they have persevered against great difficulties, and it is to be trusted that fortune has reimbursed them for all their labor. -