OUR GOLDFIELD AND HYDRAULIC SLUICING.

Kumara Times, Issue 561, 15 July 1878, Page 2

OUR GOLDFIELD AND HYDRAULIC SLUICING.

[to THE EDrfoB.J Sir—ln conclusion upon the subject of Hydraulic Sluicing I may venture to predict a grand future for Kumara,from personal and certain knowledge. In several places along the line of diggings there are many who will bear out my views on the subject and are only Waiting a favorable opportunity to commence this branch of industry., I am credibly informed that there are places and not a few where, as soon as the surface is broken, there can toe fair sluicing prospects obtained for a depth of 40 feet with {layers at intervals where very good prospects, for other kinds of workiug jimay also be obtained, one great disadvantage which, we will labor under is the very insufficient supply of water for the purpose. Could the scheme that was mooted here in the early days of Kumara by auy possibility have been carried out, namely the Waihinhinini water race in conjunction with the present races, we would have a supply, even then insuffi'dent, but it would give such an impetus and by the insight given by the actual working of the system would prove that what I have advocated in my letters is not idle wind. Ijet us hope for a speedy consummation, foi* no doubt Kumara requires a strong: stimulent and the sooner it is administered the better. I may make a practical and truthful statement here which may prove " news'' to some of your readers and serve to show to those who understand, that I tell the truth.. With ten Government head* of water, used 8 hours per day, six m-m in the space of 2 ; mouths cut a tail race 1200 feet long ; with a depth of, on an average, 70 or 75 feet with a width of from 150 to 200 feet. The immense quantity of ground sluiced away necessitated a further continuation outside of about .1200 foet more of boxes • this will amount to 2400 feet of race, and unfortunately there whs not payable gold as there waa no gold in any part except about onejayer of 2 or 3 feet thick near the surface, which by this systum, paid all actual working expenses. Now I contend that were aoch a grand system introduced here with ground so highly auriferous as Kumara can boast, instead of being merely a wages diggings as it is called now some of. the claims would give returns equal to the palmy days of old when five-pound notes were as plentiful as shillings are now. Hoping that my letters may have some good effect if in no other way than giving hope to some who are in doubt as to the valuable nature of our gold field—l remain, &c, Old Sluices.