THE HAU-HAU GOLD-FIELDS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 376, 14 May 1866, Page 4

THE HAU-HAU GOLD-FIELDS.

The special reporter of the West Coast Times gives the following interesting description of these but little known gold-fields• • I made my way to the Kanieri Terrace, and was there directed to follow the Hnited Company’s head-race until Tucker Flat was reached; mid when there, I should, if, I persevered, .and made use of my tongue, find a track somewhere, which would assuredly lead me to the desired locality. As an excellent footpath runs along the side of the race. Tucker Flat was soon reached, and a full view obtained,of the magnificent flume thrown across it by the above Company. This flame is an excellent specimen of bush work. Like that

executed by the Pioneer Company, it is several hundred feet in length, and in the centre over forty feet high, and is constructed of massive timber, well put together with due regard not only to strength, but symmetry as weU. On emerging from the forest on to the plain a busy scene met my gaze, for 1 immediately found myself in a digger’s encampment, and as the hour was high noon the curling smoke from numerous fires gave testimony that the mid-day meal was in the course of preparation. In aU directions groups of diggers could be seen, the majority of whom were evidently new arrivals, and all of them were either cooking or fixing up their temporary quarters for the night. The first familiar face which greeted me was that of an old “Arthur’s Point” man, who after the usual greetings had passed, smilingly declared he believed the place was “ right,’’ as a hundred foot hole had been bottomed the previous day, out of which some “ stunning ” prospects were obtained. In compliance with my request, he directed me to the shaft, which I found was situated in the paddock, just on the verge of the bush, at the back pf the encampment. Here I found two or three of the shareholders who at first were somewhat reticent; but as in the meantime it had been wispered about that the “ Eeporter ”„was on the ground, they became more communicative, informed me without hesitation that the prospects obtained were good, and the depth of washdirt three feet. One of the shareholders proposed that I should go down the shaft, “knock out a prospect,” and judge for myself whether the claim were payable or not. As this was just what I desired, I very readily acceded, and descended accordingly, noting as I went down the different strata sunk through, which, with the exception of a little of the surface, consisted entirely of heavy granite and sand-stone “ wash ” alternating with thin layers of fine sand. Several of the gravel veins were deeply discolored by oxide of iron, which is generaHy considered a favorable indication by old diggers. There were also several veins of cement towards the bottom of the shaft, giving evidence of the agency of fire when the “ drift ” was deposited. On reaching the bottom, I found that the whole body of this drift rested upon a solid flinty sand-stone reef, the surface of which was slightly soft, but not sufficiently so to admit of the gold penetrating any distance into it. Immediately above the reef, I found about eighteen inches of a light brown granite gravel intermixed with washed reef boulders—decidedly “ good-looking dirt ” in the common acceptation of the phrase as used by miners. Above this the gravel was much looser, and in appearance not so promising; the men, however, informed me that it would pay for sluicing. Having “knocked out” [about two-thirds of a bucket-full of the lower layer, and sent it up, I was in my turn pulled to the surface, where a considerable crowd had collected round the shaft, doubtless with the intention of aiding at the approaching ceremonv, and participating in the good things usually to be met with on such occasions. But perhaps the strongest feeling was one of curiosity, to witness the prospect taken out of the last hole bottomed on the lead. The result, lam happy to say, was satisfactory, as the dish showed, alter the refuse was washed off, rather more thaa 1 dwt of coarse gold ; indeed, this prospect, may be said to consist of one piece which weighed just 23 grs, and the fine stuff, which amounted to between 2 and 3 grs more. I am enabled to write accurately upon the weight, as the shareholders very courteously allowed me to retain the gold.