AN EXPERT REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1933, Page 7

AN EXPERT REPORT

HUMPHREYS GULLY-BLUE 'SPUR . SCHEME.

The following report was placed before the Mining Executive at the meeting on Saturday night: In reply to your letter of the Ist instant, to the district engineer, Pubne ymjiks department, Greymouth, I have to advise you that as requested'l have made a reconnaissance on the loth instant over the belt of country to be served by the extension of the- original Humphrey’s Gully water race. ALLUVIAL AREA. - Accompanied by Mr -Schnackenberg, Public Works Department engineering stafF, Greymouth, Messrs Cooper and McQuiilkin, supervisors, Hokitika district, I first inspected the area intersected by the track running north-west from Kennedy’s Creek towards Humphrey’s Gully. This track leads into a big expanse cf rounded spurs, and by the “lay” of the country it looks a promising area. The sites picked out for the first series of shafts will have a-s their objective: (a) Proving the depth of wash and values; (b) Determining the nature of the “bottom,” i.e., whether a false bottom or a marine sandstone.

A traverse was made up Strickland Creek and the general layout of the strata noted. This creek, on dish -prospects alone, must have a fair feeding, gvound of gold bearing wash in the higher level. The upper part of this creels will be worthy of extensive development. A short reconnaissance into Paler Creek demonstrated that in this creek also, a large area of virgin ground was available. It is proposed that Mr Harris who is to take charge of the prospecting on the northern slopes of the Blue Spur range, will commence the preliminary shaft sinking on the spurs near the main creek. By first concentrating near the tops of the ridges, a reliable indication will he obtained as regards the gold-value of the upper wash.

BEACH LEADS. ' A further item of inspection was that of. noting the gold bearing beach leads located - on-the marine terraces known as the “Big Paddock,” “Little Paddock,” etc. Contained within the previous reports .to you concerning the , Humphry’s Gully water, race extension, numerous expressions of belief that this particular locality alone will offer sufficient inducement to re-open the Humphrey’s Gully water race, if the mining operations were-carried out in a systematic manner and ample water were available. .1, too, am of the opinion that the returns of gold from past workings do jutify the assumption that the area'of virgin ground remaining will’ carry values high enough to warrant the ex* tension ’of the water race, to serve these terraces, The thirteen bench leads in this locality have been named and prospected in the earlier phases of mining,

so that no doubt exists as to their widespread occurrence and value of the field. SUMMARY. The extension of the Humphrey’s Gully water race will serve:— (1) The area of ground located on Larke’s terrace, (i.e., Little Paddock, Big Paddock), containing the thirteen well known beach leads; (2) xemices containing gold bearing alluvial wash (i.e., at the head of Strickland’s creek; '(3) A large belt- of likely looking country around Mt. McKay and the hea-cl of Kennedy’s creek; (4) Economic adoption for the town of Hokitika.

RECOMMENDATIONS. PRELIMINARY PROSPECTING. (1) Shaft-Sinking.—On the completion of all shafts and iprospeet drives to be carried out in the time at pour disposal, I would strongly recommend your Council to assess the gold value of the ground according to standard practice, i.e., to wash a carefully measured representative sample through a sluice box and weigh the gold recovered, thereby enabling a reliable comjputation to be made of the value i.n pence per yard. (2) Examination of old race.—Unless the track along the old race has been recently opened up again, it would be advisable to put this Avork in hand as soon as convenient, more especially at the location of the entrances to the tunnels. When the disused race tunnels are being inspected, care .will have to be taken that the minimum of timber supporting the roof and Avails is not touched by the hand of the person making the examination, otherAvise falls of roof may be started • Avith little warning.

(3) SurA'ey of Extensions of Water Race.—The co-operation of Mr Macfarlane regarding the tAvo miles of preliminary survey Avhich he performed some years ago Avould be of distinct benefit to the speedy accomplishment of the- trial survey in vieAv of the limited time at your disposal. (4) Proposed Future-Inspection.—Al-though .tlie prospecting, work is only at the initial- stage, I Avould be pleased to- revieAv the work accomplished and the. gold values of tire-ground so proved after an interval of a month. (5) Rate of Progress of Prospecting, —realising the size of the area, and the slowing tin of prospecting OAving to the heavy timber a"nd undergroAvth, I consider . that incomplete data- be available, in the time available, more especially regarding the central part 0 * the area unless fullv 20 pairs of men are engaged on the initial part of the scheme.

. (Signed) SYDNEY W.STRQNG, . A.O.'S.M., Mining Engineer. —Received. .Satisfaction was expressed at the encouraging tone of the report founded on the impressions of a recent visit. Supervisor Cooper reported that for the greater part of the past week he had been working over the ForksHumphreys area. Quite a number of favourable places were located for McQuilkin and party to start prospecting. There are seven men in McQuilkin’s party and three in Harris’ party, .and more were to be added the following week.

On Friday last in company with Mr A. Stewart, Supervisor Cooper looked over a considerable area of the Blue Spur locality. Cooper.. sets in with a party of. six this week and is honeful of good results. Mr Stewart has given permission to tap his race (which extends for about three miles) to wash dirt from the prospecting shafts, tunnels or open cuts. This concession will be of great assistance and is a very generous offer by Mr Stewart.

Supervisor McQuilkin reported that during the week track repairs were attended to. A track was cut--*across the head of McKay’s Creek - towards tile left hand branch. The party opened also 65 chains of track along the old 'Kanieri Lake race, and two camps were erected partly. An old fare was prospected but did not show gold. Prospecting at the head of McKay’s Creek showed colours. The country was puggy. A start would be made with open cuts this week, and preparations made to sink a shaft. Further equipment Was required. It was resolved the equipment be provided. The chairman (Mr Murdoch) expressed satisfaction at the start being made, and as soon as the work was advanced a little further, he would visit the locations being .prospected. From 20 to 24 men will l>e at work on the prospecting this week.