THE MAEREWHENUA GOLDFIELDS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 856, 13 January 1879, Page 2

THE MAEREWHENUA GOLDFIELDS.

Professor Ulrich's visit to Livingstone will be of marked benefit to these goldfields, for not only does he consider them of vast importance, but he boldly asserts that Victoria, with all her wealth of auriferous ground, cannot produce such another for richness and extent, the one thing lacking being water. With an abundant supply of tliis precious commodity the Maerewhenua auriferous area is capable of supporting a very large digging population, and, if in Victoria, would, even with its present limited supply of water, create a heavy rush. The difference of results to miners on the present Victorian diggings and those on the Maerewhenua are very marked. On the one hand, the Victorian is well contented with from 30s to 40s per week, while on the other the Maerewhsnuan makes at least L 6, and sometimes as high as L 9.

Water is worth L2 per Government head, and scarce at that, showing the utility and profit of wate-races where gold is concerned. The gold lies in three distinct deposits, one of which extends for miles around. These form the main goldbearing wash dirts for driving levels, but more or less of the metal is diffused throughout the whole strata, from the tussocks to the bed reef, and, of course, is highly payable under the hydraulic system of working. That portion of tho goldfield about to be sold by the Government was proved to be exceedingly auriferous, one mining party having acknowledged to have made upon it LIOOO during the past year. Others who are engaged in working on this part of the field are preparing to obtain iron piping to concentrate their hydraulic pressure, and thus give then additional power at less water expense. Altogether, .Professor Ulrich's inspection and report of this goldfield is highly satisfactory, and should be the means of inspiring our commercial community with sufficient confidence to justify them in assisting the miners to obtain a further supply of water, winch can be had to the extent of eight Government heads from the Otekaike river, the first and second rights to which have been applied for, and are now under protection. The distance this race would have to be brought would be about twenty miles ; the cost, including maintenance for three years, about LIO,OOO ; and the level above the workings 300 ft. The quantity of water thus brought in to the reservoir would give a steady average of twenty-four Government heads a day, and would probably pay a company handsome

dividends for many years to come for their enterprise in bringing it in; The reservoir found to be most suitable for the storage of water is a very simple affair, and easily constructed, being scooped out of the clay formation by means of the hydrauli c branch pipe—literally by concentrated water power being directed upon it, which washes away everything before it, and forms a most impervious and well-puddled pond, costing little or nothing. Water deliveredfrom such a high level by means o{ ironmains to the different claims wouldgive an enormous pressure, and thus enable the miner to work at a comparatively low figure, while the shareholders in the supply would net larger returns.