MAEREWHENUA.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 236, 12 September 1873, Page 6

MAEREWHENUA.

(From our own correspondent.) There has been so much talk about the Maerewherma of late, that I feel diffident in writing to you at all; and. indeed would not have done so, only for the painful news I have to tell you of the death of Mr. Charles Osterberg, of the Commercial Hotel, which you announced last week. He died on the 29fch ult., and was buried on the 81st. There was a large and respectful attendance. t . There could not have been less "than eighty -persons present. Mr. Farquharson read the burial service in a very impressive and solemn manner. The deceased was a Forester, and was buried according to their customs. Mr. M'Cleod read an oration, which, I believe is customary on these occasions. I could not help thinking that it was worth being a Forester, if only for the high respect and principles they' teach relative to the departed. Mr. Osterberg was one of the early pioneers of this field. He was much respected, and his death has cast quite a gloom over the place. Since my last the railway has commenced — it conies within about eight miles of the township, and will be a great boon to the place—placing the residents almost on the seaboard, and the necessities of life will be much cheaper. Pro- ! perty, too, will be raised in value, and a large quantity of land will be brought under cultivation. During the next few years I anticipate that a great quantity of new land will be broken up on this Goldheld —the railway enabling the farmers to compete in the large markets of the Province at a very slightly increased cost, j It is currently rumored that one. firm near here will make a fortune by the construc- | tion'of this railway—being the lucky holders of 45,000 acres of freehold, with a front- ! age of fifteen miles to the line. They are. leasing this land in blocks to parties anxious to secure the facilities offered forj the forwarding of produce. When constructed, we shall be within two hours ride of Oamaru.

Mining matters are looking healthy, and never were firmer than they- arc at present. Interests in' water races are still' rising in value. One eighth share in the Mosquito water race, was lately, sold for ; the sum of £550 to Mr. MTntos-h, of the Blue Spur, Tuapeka. Mr. Barclay, from the sanie place, bought a share in the Eiei-y Gross, for the sum of £4OO. Both parties have, prospected the different claims, an# are well satisfied. An offer was made by one of them for another share.in the Mosquito for £SOO, but our shrewd man of business, Mr. Taylor, knows a thing or two, and has declined to sell at present. It is astonishing how this property has gone up. About fifteen months ago the whole race could have been bought for £500; and now it is valued at £4400. This is the onty race niaifc can be said to be completed, carrying water from a permanent source. Without doubt it is a valuable race. The Golden Hill raceis completed in to Spring Creek, and is bringing a good supply of water. This too is a valuable line of race, never troubled with the frost, and commands, virtually speaking, the Groldfield. Dotting' and sons claim is turning out very"well. I am told they have taken out 50 ozs. out ol _ a very small piece of ground. They hold a six_ acre claim, and. from good authority ± hear it is a valuable one. Messrs. IS ewsome and Cook's claim is said to be "turning out very satisfactorily. A fourth share in Smiley's claim, was sold the other day for £50." This party hires wacer out oi the AlosQuito race. A. misunderstanding among the shareholders was the causa of the sale. The party baying in got a dead gift. The Band of If ope party are washing, up, but with what result. I cannot veil.' M'Cahn and party s race is cut into the river, but still iuivo several chains of fluiiimg to put up. M- tirabei* is on the around, xhe Fiery Cross claim is in full swing : ilie party are sending away a large quantity of stuff, and a good washing up may be expected, notwithstanding the large amount ot gold taken from the boxes every week. The Little claim is well spoken of, and the members have lately been extending their race to reach a furtnA' supply of water. Howe and partv are opening out their new claim. Tlie Ben. Lomond is being vigorously pushed iorward, and should be finished by Christmas. " « I observe by a late issue of the ' Guardian' that Mr. Campbell has offered a Handsome re way d to any party who will fiiiG five acres oi payable auriferous ground, on the 12,0Q0 acre block recently purchased by him, and alleged to contain payable gold. There is very little faith placed in the integrity of- theVfier. The generosity of the offer is so well known that the miners would prefer to show him payable gold in the ground, referred to, wituou-t his handsome reward, unless he is prepared to name a sum that would not be considered an insult to anv party of ~orospeetors, say £"o00, —a party would then take immediate steps to show him payable

prospects. He does not, however, believe in fine gold, audit Would be liard to find five acres containing heavy pieces ; but I would respectfully remind him of the fact that as bales of wool are made up of a large number of fleeces, so are the ounces and pounds of gold made up of fine specks. It is well known that a large portion of the original application, 5,300 .acres put of 10,000 acres, was declared bv a Commissioner to be auriferous, and that a considerable portion of the late application is part of a similar drift deposit; and although the gold, is fine, the ground is deep and easily washed away. A little gold all through the stuff, will pay far better than looking' after nuggets, which are not readily found at IVlaerewhenua. If Mr. Campbell will visit some of the claims, and. try some of the stuff, which tke miners here would not object to, he will see he has obtained some of the payable auriferous ground in his „late application ; but as the Miners' Association intend replying to his letter, I leave the question at present.' '

A map of the G-oldfield is very much wanted' here at present, with all important outlets marked and named —some of them to be reserved for main tail races, as a great deal of litigation is likely to occur already, owing to • grants having been made in gullies, and'dams granted, that will have to be compensated for, or the grants repudiated, which will "never do. Perhaps it would be best for the Association:to apply'for the resumption'of certain outlets here, and compensate the owners of present, grants which are injurious to the public interests — so that claims can be worked without let or hindrance. Care should be taken in the future to prevent any grant likely to lead to a monopoly- of an outlet to the in jury of other claim holder's. ' ■