COLLINGWOOD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 112, 13 May 1871, Page 2

COLLINGWOOD.

[F EO it A:-. CO R B B.S P.Q'N DE; NT.] J ',_ BedsteidjSaliy, 9th May, 1871. T' This gully is more than usually deserted »t present, as most of the men who resided here are working on the ParapaTa Race^ or scattered about in the different, creeks and gullies, digging The only work going on in the gully is the No. 3 Drive of the Perseverance '"Company, which is now in about 600 feet, and is approaching the boundary of their lease. The drive has gone right through a mass of what appears to be lead ore, the length from first striking to- where it ends is 30ft., and the thickness is about s{t., but its breadth on either side of the drive is not known. The reef makes a serai-circular -dip and runs underneath the drive where the ore was struck, and the lode lies in the same semi-circular way, about sft. above the reef, and also dips to the east at the some angle. Some pieces of the ore have been sent to Dr. Hector at Wellington to assay, but the result .is not yet known. ' Four of ihe contracts for repairing ihe Parapuru Race- are now completed. The remaining contract, viz., the long lengih of Burning from Blue Creek to the Parnpara Dam will not be finished before the 9th June, when the time expires for the completion of the contracts. The people here are very anxious to see the battery commence work again as the prosperity of the place mainly defends upon it. The. Decimnl Coinpauy's drive in JKelley's Gully is proceeding, and is no\s\n about 180ft. They have struck some goldhearing quartz leaders, and expect to strike the Perseverance reef daily. The Canterbury Company having sunk to a depth of 80 feet, are now driving in the direction of their reef. This Company has shown unusual pluck , in persevering in their work, as they are driving through sandstone rock of such hardness that they can only advance from 3 to (5 inches daily, aod have also to contend agaixist water. .... These are the only companies that are doing, any work at present. Messrs. Watts and Gibson's stocking machine is now completed, and 1 they hope to supply the demand, for socks, knitted shirts, and underclothing among the diggers. Their branch of local industry is likely to receive unanimous support. The diggings are not lookiug very bright at present, no rush having occurred or nuggets been found lately, and 7s. to 8s a day .is about the average to be made here now. „ If the Perseverance turns out a success many reefs will be tried that are known to be gold-bearing, but which for want of funds lie dormant. V