EPITOME OF MINING NEWS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 80, 3 February 1864, Page 6

EPITOME OF MINING NEWS.

Hamilton's. The rush to this place is fast subsiding, and as no new ground has been opened the miners are leaving in numbers. The ground first discovered continues to pay well. There is great complaint amongst the storekeepers and publicans, as to the dulness of trade, which on a new rush is indicative of its failure. DUNSTAN. The Melyneux still continues about the usual level, and consequently on some of the higher beaches there is but little doing. The dredging machine at Hartley beach has scarcely got into working order as yet, but no doubt is entertained that the project will be an entire success. The principal cause of the delay in commencing operations has been the opposition of the holders of beach claims, most of whom have had their claims registered for the last eight months. They have insisted on the machine being placed further and further out until it is very fairly in mid stream. In our opinion of the depth, the handle of the spoon will not now reach the bottom, and a longer shaft must be obtained from the Lakes. When this is in position, we hope to be able to chronicle good results. At the Teviot the dredging machine of Dean and party is raising excellent washdirt, and notwithstanding the large expenses incurred in its construction, the yield of gold is more than compensating the shareholders for their enterprise and energy. They stated that in some of the places they tried they found the river bed quite smooth, without a vestige of gravel, and almost entirely without gold. As there are many places in this distric, such as opposite Mutton town, the mouth of the Earnscleugh, where a dredging machine could be worked with advantage, we hope to see this system of mining in operation in a more extended manner. Campbell's. Some first-rate ground has been opened in Campbell's gully, near the junction of Potter's No. 2. The sinking is about 25 feet in depth, and a number of claims are getting payable gold. The weather is now most favorable for pursuing mining operations in this district, and it is expected some most important discoveries will be made. At the head of the

| Waikaia, a number cf claims are turning I out very well. The beds of the creeks in I this quarter are now easily worked as the | small streams of water from the neighboring gullies are very much diminished in volume, i — Dunstan Neics. GOLD IN THE NORTH ISLAND. A party of Volunteers, formerly Otago diggers, belonging to the Galloway Redoubt, started yesterday morning for the purpose of prospecting. On their return in the evening they reported that they had found some specimens of fine gold, some in minute quantities, and some intermingled with quartz. At this i access of fortune their joy was in excess. They, however, declined stating the place where they had come across it. Some men that had seen the same informed me that it is a very fine specimen The same party have gone out to-day, hoping to be still more prosperous. lam unable to give any further information on the subject, as I have not seen the party themselves, and am obliged to quote this from what I have heard from several parties on this important subject. I have every reason to believe, however, that the above is true, as several specimens of gold have been found throughout the district during the last two years. Mr. Rumbolo, on one occasion, picked up a piece of quartz on Sergeant Rowley's land, and on examination found several specks of gold therein. When the party returns this evening I shall be able to forward you the special account.—Wairoa correspondent of the Southern Cross. COBOMANDEL. Things are improving; four claims are at work again, and four or five more will begin, I believe, in a few days. The Sarah Alice brought us an accession of 25 to our number. Confidence is now generally restored. One new claim has been taken up, which promises to be very rich. I expect that in a few weeks there will be a great increase to the population. No. 5 claim are crushing, and are likely to have six or seven ounces per ton. A great object has been obtained in finding out how to save the light gold that hitherto has been carried off in washing. They now, from a new process, are able to collect every particle, which will enable many claims to give a good return, which hitherto would not pay for working. The Auckland Quartz-Crushing Company have made great improvement in their washing, They will now have plenty of work. You will soon hear of some good returns from here. Improved washing and experienced managers will do wonders When last at work much money and a deal of time was expended to no purpose, because many of the claims were managed by persons who had not any knowledge of mining. They might have been more usefully employed at the bench or the forge. Shareholders would do well, when they commence, to choose men of experience; those who practically know how to work a gold mine. I throw this hint out, as it may be of great use to the companies. The Herald appends the following editorial remarks to their correspondent's letter: —"The Auckland shareholders would do well to pause ere they enter on another Coromandel campaign. During the last summer they were victimised by some of the workmen and managers to a frightful extent, and some new and better system must be adopted before any claims, however rich, would pay. Not only have Auckland shareholders been robbed by managers and workmen, who drew large wages and who never worked half their time, but even in the abstraction of the gold in those claims which might have paid. In oue claim it has since been discovered that the manager has transmitted, during his term of office, £llOO worth of gold to another province; and from another rich claim it is known that over £3OO worth of gold had been sold by the hired workmen in Auckland. We need scarcely say that a new system is needed."— New Zealand Herald.