MINING NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1143, 3 April 1872, Page 2

MINING NEWS.

INANGAHUA AND LYELL. [herald, march 30.] The reef was struck yesterday in No. 4 north, Potter's, Larry's Creek. At Irishman's Creek a party of miners, five in number, obtained 500oz of coarse gold this week in five days. It was rumored in town yesterday that work was likely to be suspended on the Reefton and Buller road owing to the difficulty in obtaining hands. The steam saw mills plant of Messrs Graham and Malfroy, is expected to be in full working order during the latter, part of the coming week. The situation selected for operations is about threequarters of a mile from the occupied portion of the township in the direction of Boatman's. Miners are arriving every day at Boatman's from the Buller district. This being the most central place on the line of reefs, they can distribute themselves whichever way their inclination leads them, either to Reefton or to Larry's. The reef has been struck in Caple's claim, six feet wide. This lino is now attracting considerable attention at the south end, some eight men's ground having been pegged off next to No. 3, of eight men's ground, which brings it down to Murphy and party's ground, at the edge of Boatman's Creek. Crushing operations commenced at Mace's on Thursday, about mid-day. Steam was got up, and, barring one or two little hitches of no great consequence, the machinery worked admirably. Yesterday, Mr Warden Broad inspected tha machinery and claim. The tunnel was entered, and he, like everyone else who has visited the ground, was most favorably impressed with the appearance of the reef and the quality of the stone. Up to his departure yesterday from the claim, ten tons of quartz had passed through the batteries, and the appearance of the copper-plates indicated splendid results. It is not yet decided how long crushing operations will be continued prior to washing-up. A double area claim, 240 ft by 120 ft, has been granted to Antonio Charles, better known as " Spanish Charley," N. Cacichi, P. Franconi, and W. Haley, for alluvial working between Chrsty's and the Lyell. The ground, is situated at. the mouth of the first tributary of the Buller river beyond the junction of the Buller and Inangahua, up Flax Bush Creek, and is distant about four and a-half miles, from Christy's. A prospecting claim was applied for at Reefton on Wednesday, and that, together with the reported discovery of extraordinarily large finds, caused considerable excitement. On enquiry, we ascertained that the lead is not expected to turn out of any great extent, not exceeding probably ten to twelve men's ground, but the quality of the ground admits of no doubt. In the short space of two hours one of the prospectors obtained two pounds weight of coarse gold, and subsequently a much larger quantity was obtained; Among the gold brought in was a 50oz nugget, a good deal water- worn, but almost free from quartz. The Warden in order to avoid the disappointments which must have resulted had the locality been rushed, declined to grant a prospecting claim, but gave the party a double area.