LATER FROM NOKOMAI DIGGINGS

Southland Times, Volume 1, Issue 4, 21 November 1862, Page 2

LATER FROM NOKOMAI DIGGINGS

fyn»x ova own cokbssfokdknt.] . . - .. ■ NOm>MAJ^ .:... Tbe population on Moa Creek has greatly decreased during the .past weeky reports having reached here of such large finds in Potter's Gully and the North Molyn^iut, There are not now more than 150 diggers, but of these the majority are making fair wages — a few parties earning as much as 2 ozs. a day per man. On the Nokomai River a few paddocks have been bottomed, and a prospecting claim granted, about half a mile below the Junction of Moa Creek; the average earnings in this locality, is about 2 oz. ft day per man, but very little extent of ground. The Otago government are assisting a party of 12 men to bottom on the Nokomai Flat, but the soil being very open and composed of loose shingle, great difficulty is encountered in keeping out the water without the assistance of machinery. A large tail race 200 feet long and 9 feet deep, has been cut, and California pumps are applied, and from the prospects obtained going down, viz, half a grain to the tin dish, the prospectors feel very sanguine of a heavy deposit at the bottom; the sinking uiay.be estimated at about 25 feet. At the head of the Nokomai there are about 100 miners, who, I believe, are making wages, but from enquiries, I find that is about £o per week. .. At the head of the Nevis, about 200 diggers are at work, and some rich gronnd is evidently in that direction. A small gully, called by the Prospectors, Cumberland Gully, has been opened out, and the whole of the ground taken up ; many are making from 4 to 5 oz. a day per man, but the average, about. 11 £ oz. But from this to Potter's Gully, a distance of 30 mile3, diggers are to be seen scattered in all directions prospecting the various spurs and gullys, many making tucker, but from the persevering manner in which they stick to it, I am inclined to think,they are earning something more. In Potter's Gully there is a population of about 600, many of whom say they are working "Homeward-bound Claims." On this field, the diggers are at present supplied from the Dunstan, and consequently there gold is sent there. There are upwards of 500 ozs .in the Treasury, I believe, for escort, and I should not be surprised to hear of 1000 being forwarded in a few days.