THE GOLD FIELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 292, 26 November 1862, Page 5

THE GOLD FIELDS.

TUAPEKA. ,

(fbom oue own correspondent.)

November 22, 1862

The cutting of the Storm Water Channel through Wetherstone's Fiat is being rapidly proceeded with, and it is anticipated that the work will he completed in about ten days. That portion of the work already finished has been done in a workmanlike and satisfactory

manner, and ao far as the drainage of the ground in the vicinity of the cutting is concerned, this has also been accomplished with considerable advantage to those who arc or may be working on the flat. No new leads have, however, been discovered, although some of the ground cut through has yielded payable prospects, such as, in less exciting times than the present, would readily be worked. The uniform depth of the cutting is twelve feet, but in most instances the true bottom has not been reached, the miners contenting themselves with trial prospects from the lowest portion of the new channel. As might be anticipated, the results have not been particularly brilliant, but sufficient has been shown to demonstrate that with proper appliances the whole of Wetherstone's Flat would pay for working on an extended scale. A considerable length of the channel has been cut through cement of the same character as that obtained on the Blue Spur, at the head of Gabriel's Gully. This cement appears to be very widely distributed, and forms, so far as the claims on the fiat are concerned, the only bottom at present worked by the miners. Above this cement lies a brownish colored drift, and it is this stratum alone that has been washed, although the cement itself shows gold in minute specks, J and contains I have no doubt payable leads. J If it could once be demonstsated that this stuff would pay for crushing, there is a bright future and a more- lasting prosperity in store for this field. The discoverers of the auriferous qualities of cement, Hughes and party have applied for a lease of 3 acres at the head of Gabriel's, and should they be fortunate enough to obtain it, intend at once to erect machinery for the purpose of crushing It is to be hoped the Government will place no obstacles in the way of the development of this new branch of industry, promising, as it undoubtedly does, to be one of the most settled aud lasting on the gold fields. On Thursday last a meeting of the Provisional Committee for the management oi the Hospital was held in the Hospital building, Major Croker in the chair. A considerable number of gentlemen attended, and lists were handed in showing subscriptions to the amount of Ll4o—this sum having been collected in about a week.- Considering that this is the second time Avithin the year that subscriptions have been collected, and that this field lias only a tithe of its former population, the large amount obtained speaks well for the kindly sympathies and charitable feelings of the inhabitants of the district. The business transacted at the meeting was not of a veiy important character, save as laying down tiie principle that at least twice the amount subscribed by the inhabitants shall be contributed by the Government. On this subject there was a considerable amount of discussion, the majority being apparently of opinion that unless the Government gave a liberal subsidy it would be better to hand them whatever amounts might be collected, and also have the resposibilit}'' of managing the institution, as heretofore, with themselves. Resolutions, requesting information from the Government, as to the amount of subsidy likely to be recommended by them ; pledging the Provisional Committee to use their utmost endeavors to collect subscriptions for the support of the iustituion, and also recommending that subscription lists should be opened on the Dunstan, and in Duuedin, were proposed, and carried unanimously.

In reference to the latter place, it was suggested tbat the Committee should write to Vincent Pyke, Ksq., requesting him to appoint some person to collect subscriptions there.and in such manner as he might think likely to conduce to the desired result. This was agreed to, and the Secretary instructed to Avrite to that gentleman. It was arranged that no permanent committee should be appointed until the Ordinance, whicli is to be laid before the Provincial Council at its next sitting, had become law. In the meantime the Provisional Committee would continue their labours, and it was hoped that larger sums would be collected. A vote of thanks having been given to the chairman, the meeting separated. Although not quite so bustling or public spirited as the people of Wetherstones', the inhabitants of the Junction occasionally contrive to come out of their shells. At the former place public balls and suppers are of frequent occurrence, but it is seldom the Junction indulges in these gaieties. As a contrast to this monotonous dulness, I may mention that a supper was, on Thursday evening, given f o J, A. Wood, at the Commercialliotel. This gentleman has been Gold Receiver here for some time past, and it was the eve of his departure to act as Commissioner at the ISTokcmai, that the festivity was indulged in. The supper was in host Weatherly's best style, and the party after wishing every success to Mr Wood in his new career, and spending a pleasant evening, parted at an early hour. Several applications have been made for agricultural leases, some of which cannot however, be granted, owing to their not being within the boundaries of the runs purchased by the Government. The ground applied for is at the head of Munroe's and Wetherstone's, and although j&lniosi; amongst the gold workings, is, unlbr-ttwTfTtely, situated on a run, the tile to which has not been extinguished. Wetherstone's Creek; and the Tuapeka Paver are supposed to form the boundaries of the land available for agricultural leases under the Gold Fields Act, and this just reaches, but does not include, a tract of comparatively level and fertile country lying in the midst of this gold field, and well adapted for gardens or small farms. It is to be hoped that the Government will take some steps to have this land made available for settlement, on the liberal terms allowed under the Gold Fields Act.

A considerable agitation is at present goinoou amongst the inhabitants here, in reference to the construction of a road from this to the Teviot, and thence to the Dunstan. It is, I believe proposed to hold a public meeting, and adopt the draft of a petition to be forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent, which will . set forth the necessity for its construction, as also the advantages to be derived from connecting the various centres of population. Scattered alon<>the banks of the Molyneux from the Tuapeka to the Dunstan, there is a considerable population settled, whose wants must receive some attention at the hands of the Government. The winter season will be the best for working the banks of the Molyneux, but the worst for conveying supplies; and unless something is done towards constructing a practicable track, if not a road, before that period, the miners must suffer great hardships. It should also he considered that this line of road would jmsa in the vicinity of, if not

actually through, two places which promise to become large gold fields. I refer to Moa Flat, and the Teviot Flat. Atthe former place gold has been - discovered in the gullies running into the river as well as in the bed; and at the latter, not only are the banks ofthe river very rich, but tliere is a large tract of made country hitherto untricd,but which looks very promising. Again if, as I am informed, the Government have entered into a contract with Captain Murray, to place a steamer on the Molyneux, which will carry goods and passengers as high as the mouth of the Tuapeka River,, how is it that no surveyor has been dispatched to report on the practicability of a road from that part onward to the Dunstau ? Is this portion of what should be the great highway into the interior to end in a cul de sac ?

Moreover, the natural lie of the country is towards the bank of the Molyneux, and being much lower than any other route that can be travelled, would scarcely be affected by the snows of winter. It would not cost a large sum to make a survey of this route, keeping as near to the banks of the Molynenx as possible; and it is to be hoped that the Government will see the advisability of having it done at once.