PROSPECTING IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1, 15 November 1861, Page 5 (Supplement)

PROSPECTING IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT.

Mb. M'Ckae's Refoet. Dunedin, November 11, 1861. The following report has been sent in by Mr. M'Crae : —

Sir, —I have the honour to inform you that I have returned from a prospecting tour in - the northern portion of this Province.. I proceeded with my men from Shag Valley on the 16th October (after an inspection of the Moeraki District, of which I forward a report) to the Manuherikia Valley. On my way I tried the banks of the Poolburn Creek, situate- in Idaburn Valley, and obtained from eight to ten specks of gold to the dish of gravel, taken from the banks of the creek. Not being very well served with rations at a station, of which Mr. Newton is the manager, I was forced to proceed on my way to the Manuherikia. The principal creek worthy of notice in this locality is called the Manor Burn, and falls into the Manuherikia below Mr. Low's station. We obtained several specks of fine gold to the dish, and I am of opinion that a payable gold field exists near its source in the Lammermoor Ranges. I proceeded in company with one half of my men to the Molyneux River, and despatched the rest to prospect the sources of the Manuherikia. We found gold on the eastern banks of the Molyneux on Mr. Shennan's station, and on the western banks of Mr. Strode's station. We obtained several specks of fine gold from the surface ; washed near the river, and sunk in the wash gravel to a depth of 7 feet, in all of which we found fine gold, but were forced to abandon further testing this ground for the want of timber for slabbing purposes and pumping gear. I am, however, of the opinion that deep sinking exists in this part of the country which would remunerate miners well if timber was easily obtained. We proceeded about twelve miles further to the west of the Molyneux, where we met with a large quartz-reef cropping out of one of the hills. The reef is about 12 feet thick, and is situate near the Hawk Burn. I also found several specks of fine gold on the Bannock Burn., and returned to the Molyneux and crossed the Dunstan Ranges, and prospected several streams, in all of which fine gold was discovered, We then reached the old diggings at the Lindis, where we obtained fair prospecs, and four of my men left my party and commenced mining operations on their own account. I may mention that that throughout this portion of the country the principal rocks are composed of mica-schist, slate, and quartz boulders.

I returned from near lake. Wanaka to lake j Taieri, below the Rock and Pillar Mountains ; here I found a complete change in the rock formation, as it consists all along the ranges on the banks of the Taieri river of basaltic trap, and large masses of conglomerate. We obtained some nice prospects of fine gold and fragments of precious stones near the junction of the Mareburn with the Taieri, and I firmly believe if the same'were in : Victoria the hills and flats in the neighbourhood would be pummelled into, and I have no doubt but the country around the Rock and Pillar Mountains near the sources, and along the bank of the Taieri, will yet prove remunerative fields, the great drawback at present being the want of timber for slabbing purposes. As I shall communicate further with your Honor in a few days, I shall conclude at present that at every station we have called at for rations and supplies we have been well received, with the exception of Mr. Newton's and Mr. Thompson's. The latter gentleman left strict orders with his servants not to give .us food of any kind, which caused us to be without animal food for several days. I have the honour to be, &c, W. M'Crae.