THE GOLD-FIELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 179, 12 June 1862, Page 5

THE GOLD-FIELDS.

TUAPEKA. (FKOH OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) June 10, 1862. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, aud the consequent irregularity in working ground at all wet, the yield of gold continues to ba steady, if not above the average of past weeks. When it is considered that at least two days out of the six are lost to the miner through bad weather, that the number of working hours is being gradually decreased as we get. into the winter months, it speaks well for the district that the amount of gold produced should equal, if not exceed former results. This is the more gratifying from the fact that the number of miners actually at work is very small, and that many of those on the field are engaged in operations from which they do not expect any immediate returns. It is of course somewhat difficult to arrive at n correct conclusion as to the relative number of those who are actually engaged in raining-, and those who, although on the fietd, are living by supplying ths real or supposed wants of the digger, yet I think it may be taken for granted that one half the residents on this field are non workers. Taking this fact into consideration, it is clear that, notwithstanding the complaints of those in business, the bona fide miner is still earning first-rate wages. From almost every portion of the field I hear of steady returns, and fair, remuneration for the work of those who have stuck to the old spots, and regardless of any deluding Coromandels, or highly auriferous • country near the Norih Pole, have continued systematically to open up new ground in their vicinity, or re-work that left in the hurry and scramble of the first rush. As an iastance of how gold is left, even by those who plume themselves on understanding the method of working any gold fields, I may mention" the following :— A party of four were at work at the head of Gabriel's with indifferent success, when it occurred to o.ie of them tobreakup the rock on which the auriferous d.L't rested. This was done to the depth of 18 inches, and the rock and debris washed with firstrate results.

As'much as 150 ozs. a man has. been taken out of ground supposed to be worked out and abandoned. At the head of Monroe's those engaged in sluicing are doing remarkably well. Here .again systematic work has laid open various leads of gold, the existence of which, the first workers of the ground had not the most remote idea of. I heard of one party of three who divided, as the result of one week's work, between £50 and £60, and this was obtained from ground supposed to be thoroughly worked but. From the Tuapeka river, I learn that the majority are doing well, but as I intend visiting this ground personally, I will give you full particulars in my next. To-day there have been rumours that some very rich ground ha 3 been struck by the party who are turning the river at the bottom of the flat running from 'Monroe's, but no particulars have as yet been ascertained.