THE WEST COAST GOLDFIELDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 243, 4 October 1876, Page 2

THE WEST COAST GOLDFIELDS

(Collated from our West Coast Exchanges.) The amount of amalgam collected at the batteries of the Wealth of Nations Mining I Company, Inangahua, lteefton, for the week ending Friday, 29th ult., was 6420zs 9dwts, which was retorted with former amounts in hand, yielding 5240zs 14dwts of gold for the month. The principal events reported by the mining manager during the month are the discovery of a new reef whilst stripping the surface for filling, and that they have laid bare the outcrop, showing a reef 10 feet thick; also, that a new body of stone was exposed on Thursday last, in the south stope of the upper east reef. The low level reefs are opening out well, and show three faces of excellent stone. The contractors anticipate no difficulty in keeping up the supply of quartz to enable the batteries to be kept constantly at work. At a meeting of directors, held at the company's office, Tainui-street, on Saturday evening, a dividend (the 20th) of 3s per scrip was declared, payable on Tuesday next. The Kumara Times of Thursday says:— "In consequence of the success which attended Baker and party on Saturday, the majority of the diggers on that line commenced shifting their shafts more to the eastward, but time has not allowed of any result being obtained. On the old line several bottomed yesterday, but the results were duffers. We hear, however, and we give it for what it is worth, that two or three claims have bottomed on good payable gold, but for the present they decline to state the precise locality." Referring to the question of water supply for the Kumara goldfield, our Hokitika contemporary remarks :— "The Government have already constructed a water-race at an enormous cost, which, without further outlay, will never pay a tithe of the interest on the capital expended. In round numbers, over one hundred thousand pounds have been spent op the Waimea Water-race, and the product is fifteen heads of water, which may bring in a revenue of £45 per week. Within five or seven miles of this race there is now n population of about three thousand, whose great cry will be, in the course of a few months for n supply of water. There is reported to be no engineering difficulties in the way. There would be no bridges of any consequence to erect, no tunnels to be driven, but an ordinaiy level country which only requires to be trenched and flumed. The extension of the race has been roughly set down as not likely to exceed £8000 to £10000. The formation of the reservoir is not likely to be such a costly matter as was at first anticipated. Since the calculations have been carefully worked out, we are given to understand that the estimate is set down as not exceeding £30,000. Putting the whole therefore at £40,000, would not the Government be warranted in undertaking the works?" Unfortunately, however, there is not the least probability that the Government will meddle any more with water; besides, where is the money to come from? — Grey River Argus. A man named Frank Harris has been arrested at Kumara for robbery from the person. It is stated that many bad characters have flocked to the rush, and that the police authorities have some trouble already in keeping them under surveillance. Forty vehicles, including heavy and light draught, were counted on the road between Hokitika and Kumara on Wendesday last. The news to hand on Friday (says the West Coast Times) from the Kumara rush is not so favorable as we have had the pleasure to report for the past few months. We learn that thirteen shafts have been bottomed this week on the " fancy line," none of which have proved payable. Hopes arc entertained, however, that it may be traced running in another direction. Long and party bottomed on good payable gold at the Kumara on Thursday afternoon, in 60 feet sinking, and the consequence was a small rush in the direction of their claim. There is no doubt but that the lead has taken a turn, and is now heading in a southwest direction.

Maloney's prospecting claim at the Lyelt has recently proclaimed a dividend of £919, at the rate of, in round numbers, £153 per full share. The population on the Kumara goldfield must be considerably over 2,000, and with the exception of one party or so of new chums, who happened to reach the locality in the middle of the severe weather of last month, and who had their spirits damped by the unavoidable discomforts met -with at the outset, none have taken their departure. It is rare indeed to witness a rush of the kind where the feeling remains so general that the ground is very extensive and payable throughout. Very few miners will be j found on the field who will not admit that they have a prospect of making from £3 to £5 per week, while scores are to be mot with who hope to double that as soon as water is obtainable in any quantity. The want of water is, however, the one drawback to the realisation of these hopes. The general character of the workings is heavy. In a number of claims 500 and 600 feet tunnels must be put in, and these, as also the shafts, require close slabbing, and large boulders have to be contended with. The lead has been traced for a long distance, and proved payable six and seven claims wide. It is impossible to hazard an opinion as to the course the lead may yet take. Many are of opinion that it will be traced through to the Christchurch road, and that another township may, in all probability, be built in that direction before Christmas. Others express a belief that the gold will be traced towards the Taipo, or between the Taipo and Eox's. In the township buildings are going up by scores, and artizans of all trades find active employment. Sections have increased in value from £5 to £40, £60, and £80 each, and buildings have also changed hauds at profitable prices to the builders. Nearly every line of business is represented, and it is estimated that by Christmas there will be as many licensed houses at Kumara as there are in Hokitika.