THE NORTH TAIERI GOLDFIELD.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 45, 3 October 1863, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE NORTH TAIERI GOLDFIELD.

(From the Daily Telegraph.)

Wo have been 'favored by the Government with the following copy of a Special Report furnished by Mr Warden Wood, to the Secretary of the Goidfields:— Dunedin, 21st September, 1863. Sir, —I have the honor to report, that in accordance with the instructions contained in your letter 12-11-63,1 proceeded to the North Taieri diggings, on the 9th inst. The first of these diggings, known as Mullochy Gully, distant about 14 miles from Dunedin there are only a few working there now, most of the claims have been worked out; last week the owners have left for the west side of the Taieri River, where good prospects are reported. From Mullochy Gully to Powder or Boulder Hill, many gullies have been opened, but the attraction on the other side of the river has drawn away the population. The country is rough and mountainous, many of the hills covered with white quartz, and has all the indications of a gold country. I was shown about two ozs. of gold obtained by oue man in a blind gully, the product of five days' work last week. I crossed the river to the new rush called Frazer's Creek, which lay to the north of the Taieri Hill, or Mount Hyde. The prospects obtained at this creek have been very encouraging, and miners are getting sluice boxes to commence a regular system of mining. Frazer and party, the discoverers, have done very well, but I hear of two or three parties that have done better. The workings are confined at present to the creek, which is being turned by several parties, the sinking from four to ten feet, the washdirt commencing about two feet from the surface. These diggings are on Boyd's run. lam of opinion that this field will pay above the average rate of wages on what are termed poor men's diggings,, and it has the advantage of being near Dunedin, where supplies can be obtained cheap. Mr. Boyd has supplied flour to the miners at 20s. per lOOlbs. It is hard to arrive at the correct population, as they are so scattered, but from what I could learn from the boat ma:, and others, and from my own observation, I think they may be estimated at about 150 persons. Wild pigs are abundant, and Maori cabbages grow in the gullies. This field has the advantage of being almost on the high road to the principal goidfields in the Province. The best road is I believe along the West Taieri road, till the Mill is passed near the race couse, thence to the right, up the spur, keeping the leading range till the tents at Mullochy Gully appear in sight. There is a plain track from Mullochy to the crossing place of the Taieri, up the principal spur to the right. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, John Nugent Wood, Warden. To V. Pyke, Esq., Goidfields' Secretary.