EPITOME OF MINING NEWS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 90, 9 March 1864, Page 6

EPITOME OF MINING NEWS.

DUNSTAN. We have been shown some excellent specimens of auriferous quartz, taken from a reef on Hough Kidge. The quartz is of a greyish blue color, and the gold is distributed throughout the entire mass of the stone. The prospectors have traced the reef to a depth of 45 feet, where it narrows to about a foot in width. Hitherto they have contented themselves by breaking up the stone and washing it along with a casing of pipeclay that lies on one side of the reef. By this rude process they have been making wages, but as the gold is very fine, and well set into the quartz, it is evident that until propir crushing machinery is used to reduce the ore nine-tenths of the precious metal must remain in the stone. As there is plenty of that cheapest of all motive powers — running water —close to the reef, we hope to hear that either the prospectors themselves, or assisted by capitalists, have placed proper machinery upon the ground. The specimens shown to us were said to be by no means the richest, but rather a fair sample of the reef throughout, and if this be the case, we should say that it would at least yield four or five ounces to the ton. The reef is situate about 16 miles from where the road to Dunedin crosses Drunken Woman's Creek, and is, we are informed, easily accessible. The Pioneer Hydraulic Mining Company have completed the double-action force-pump, which is affixed to the model, and will be ready for trial in the course fcf the week. Should the experiment be successful, of which according to several minute tests already made, there appears little doubt. A company will be at once formed, and a machine constructed capable of throwing a sufficient stream of water so as to sluice any of the steepest banks of the river. The Grand Junction Company's middle dam broke away on Thursday last, just as thev had repaired the damage done on Sunday week. It will take some time to get it all tight again, the breach being a very heavy one, requiring many a load of stone and earth before it can be made right once more, so as to stand the great pressure of water which the flooded state of the river will necessitate.

Another claim struck pavable gold in Butcher's Gully on Saturday last. The owners of the claim have been for the last five months patiently trying, but getting nothing; the prospect obtained was a pennyweight and a quarter to the dish, with nearly three feet of wash-dirt. The Molyneux is beginning to fall again very fast, rather over a foot in the 24 hours. From the Manuherikia Junction down to the Teviot a large number of claims are being re-occupied by their original owners in anticipation of the river going down this winter. Several parties at Butcher's and Coal Creek have already a mate shepherding on the banks, which course they consider the best, as it will avoid disputes, and should the waters recede sufficient to work the beaches, they would be placed in immediate communication with the fact, and thereby be enabled to commence work at once without loss of time.

At Sandy Point, and near the Junction of Frarer with the Molyneux, sluicing parties are almost daily setting in, some are even washing the gravel with large cradles, thus making small wages, but those who are lucky enough to have a full head of water are able to make it pay handsomely. In Conroy's Gully things remain very quiet, but as this is a good winter's diggings, and only very partially worked, we may look for a large population here this winter. Sandison's party, who obtained permission from the warden to cut in a race from a creek some eight miles from here towards the Dunstan Ranges, for the purpose of sluicing some of the river banks between the Hospital and the township, found they were anticipated by some enterprising parties from the Manuherikia, who have already cut over six miles in that direction. These parties are about conducting to a point of the river near Smith's store about 12 or 14 heads of water, part of which will be carried across the Manuherikia River by means of cast iron piping, so as to reach some ground on the east bank, which is known to be pretty well impregnated with gold, but in too small quantities to be remunerative by means of the cradle. Cutting races appears to be about the best "spec" in the country at the present time. It may be sometimes rather tedious, but the return is sure, and the remuneration is likely to last over a number of years. Experience has fully proved that the amount of auriferous drift in this district far exceeds anything of the like ever discovered up to the present time, either in New Zealand, Australia, or California. The only thing necessary for the well being of this place is that some well organised plan should be devised so that capital from town or elsewhere may be introduced among us, and attracted hither by the superior inducements that shortly will be offered to parties willing to assist in the development of our vast auriferous resources. MOUNT BENGER. The body of the man mentioned in my last as having been drowned in the Pomahawk, has not yet been recovered. The deceased was a young Scotchman, named John Connor; he was returning to his tent at night, rather drunk, and in crossing the river was swept away, and lost. The river has been falling gradually during the last week, and mo&t of our miners holding bank claims are at work again. Expectations of the efficient abatement of the waters shortly, now runs high. Our population is on the increase, and if half our hopes are realised, we shall have no cause to grumble. A large punt, to be used in conjunction with a dredging machine, has been commenced. It is being built upon a platform dug on the side of the river, from which it will be easy to launch it. Our townsman, Mr Smith, butcher, narrowly escaped serious injury two days

since. He was driving some horses out of a stock-yard, when one of them kicked him in the throat. With the exception of short insensibility and one day's confinement, he has experienced no ill effects from the accident, i From the Serpentine the news is not important. The population continues good, and all are reported as doing something, as evidenced by the : very large quantity of bottled porter which is consumed there. Small gullies, soon worked i out, are constantly being opened up, which pay | well as l;;ng as th'ey last. The quartz reef will, 11 am convinced, turn out well in the end. Machinery is about to be erected to work it.—Duni stan News.

THE OLD MAN RANGES.

We received the following from Mr James Sandison. It conveys some useful hints respecting the tracks and climate of the Carrick Ranges:— " Having been requested by the Goldfields Secretary to accompany Mr Mining Surveyor Coates on a tour of inspection to the " Old Man," to endeavor if possible to devise some means of providing for the safety of travellers when crossing to and from Campbell's diggings, during the prevalence of snow storms, I started from the Manuherikia on the morning of the 20th, with a view to meet Mr Coates at the Gorge at 12 o'clock noon, but to my disappointment that gentleman did not put in an appearance; so after waiting till about 3 p.m., I started by myself, and arrived at the Springs, a distance of about three miles up the mountain, in something like the space of an hour. There I found a small hut, which appeared to be deserted. I opened the door and had a look round, and to my surpise found the place was full of all kinds of stores, such as flour, bacon, tea, sugar, &c. Starting again, I reached the first 'snow-pole,' which is about two miles further up the hill. There was nothing particular here; now and then the different bends of the Molyneux River, in the direction of the Teviot, are distinctly observable. From this pole to No. 3 the ascent is very steep, but the grade is very regular. No. 4, is marked with a sign-board, MarteH's Cognac, and has evidently been the side of a brandy case. At No. 5,1 met a Mr Robert Hall, with two horses, on his return from Campbell's. He was walking, and driving them before him, it being impossible to ride, from the steepness of the mountain. This packer is one of the oldest on the road, and a partner with Mr James Whisker, late of Bendigo and Inglewood, and who brought about 30 men across during a most fearful storm. There were some few left behind, being unable to travel, and punished accordingly. From Nos. 6 to 12 theDunstan Township and Camp are particularly observable. At Nos. 13 and 14 patches of snow exist at both sides. No. 15 is the top of the range. Here the ground is very level, but has numerous huge rocks projecting, abruptly jutting out from the surface. Nos. 16 and 17, the extreme crown of the range. The road to Campbell's bears away to the west. The surface is a sort of blackish peat, with large tussocks of grass, and a great obstacle to the traveller unless he keeps the track. From 18 to 29 a gentle rise the whole way, and the ground becomes very boggy. From 30 to 36 is a descent to the south-west, and is, from the peculiar formation of the ranges, very dangerous to travellers, as they are more likely to turn towards the Pomahawk or the Teviot than towards Campbell's; and to confirm my opinion, I found some blankets, besides several articles of wearing apparel, at No. 32 pole, evidently thrown away by some person in distress. At 37 the tents in Campbell's Gullv can be seen; at 38 to 39 the packers turn off for the Teviot, but there is no visible track, from the surface being so boggy that the track you may make to-day would be invisible on the morrow. From 40 to 45, and the last, the distance is about four miles to Potter's Gully, No. 2, and nothing but a succession of swamps the whole way. The course is to keep along the right-hand side of the range. I only got bogged once, and my horse being an old packer, soon extricated himself. Shortly afterwards I arrived at Gough's store, where I put up for the night, and when the people found out the object of my mission I received every comfort from them they could provide. At about 11 p.m. the rain began to fall heavily, and continued doing so till 7 a.m. the following morning. Feeding my horse, I started for the 4 timber,' distance about four miles, but the fog being thick, I could see but little. It continued foggy until I had reached the top of the rauge and for some distance down again, in the direction of the Manuherikia, when the weather became clear and fine. About two or three miles from the top I heard a woman's voice, and presently beheld a female perched on a pack-saddle, and loaded with a goodly supply of stores, &c. We halted and had a chat. She then proceeded in the direction of Campbell's, and myself to the Gorge, which place I reached about 3 p.m., and was at the Manuherikia two hours afterwards.

" The * snow poles' are placed about 200 yards apart, but it is quite impossible to dis-

tinguish one from the other. No less than seventeen lives have been lost in their immediate vicinity. I mean that that number have been found dead and interred, besides five more are known to have perished whose remains have not nor never will be found. There are also thirteen others missing, making in all thirty-five persons lost in the short distance of six or seven miles. I should suggest that a line of wire be rung along, about four feet and a half from the surface of the ground, supported by posts 132 feet apart, so that a traveller could feel his way should he be caught in a storm. This is lhe universal opinion, and generally supposed to be the best. The only difficulty would be in crossing the wire, but that might ha provided for by leaving openings openings every 600 yards." " I would also suggest that shelter sheds be erected, one at the springs, and another at the last rocks, on the west side of the ranges, near where two men perished in the late storm. I should have liked to have recommended one at the last snow pole, or No. 45 towards Campbell's, but that would be impracticable, on account of there being no material. I therefore suggest that the wire be carried the entire distance to Potter's Gully, No. 2. The whole extent of the line would not exceed eight miles, and timber can be had "vithin from four to six miles distance, and should recommend that galvanized iron wire be used."

" The great difficulty for the traveller to contend against is the intense cold, and when I tell you that in extreme cases icicles from an inch to a foot in length stand out perfectly horizontal from the snow poles against the direction of the wind, you may judge of its intensity. The next difficulty is that the snow drifts into hillocks or ridges. Say the wind is from the west to-day and from the north to-morrow, the snow that fell first would be frozen hard, while the subsequent batch would be perfectly soft, from the force of the wind being spent against the hard portion, on the windward side of the heap, allowing the latest fall to be for a time unfrozen. The density of the two cannot readily be distinguished by the traveller, thus he falls into a regular man trap, from which he sometimes fails to extricate himself. At times the snow adheres to your clothes caused by its slightly melting from the heat of the body and afterwards freezing again, icicles hang from the hair and cannot be removed unless the hair come along with them, in time everything becomes one frozen mass and unless your constitution be very strong, you must succumb to the influence of the weather, which, I am sorry to say, has been the case in many instances already, and unless the Government take immediate steps to remedy the evil, the same disasters that occurred last winter, will do so again this, for in the course of six weeks, winter will be set once more.— Dunstan Times.