WAIRAU VALLEY.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 18, 12 July 1864, Page 3

WAIRAU VALLEY.

2nd July. I have read with great pleasure the report of your special correspondent in connection with the gullies and creeks whicli enter the Wairau Valley. I tliink he has made a plight mistake in reference to Pine Valley. This valloy would most naturally lead a stranger going a short distance up the valley to come to the same conclusion as your correspondent, " That the banks are precipitous, and the underwood very thick. Should a fresh happen, the miners' tools and tents might be swept away. A Bpot on the descent to the creek might be cutto pitch the tent," Ac. I should be keeping withiii bounds when I say that there is sufficient room in tliis valley for five or six thousand diggers and their tents, without standing the slight-eel chance of beiug washed away, even in the rainy season. Of any gully of importance in this neighborhood, the streams of water in Pine Valley is the most insignificant. Hence miners come to the conclusion that the smallness of the stream prevents gold being washed down in payable quantities. A short, distance up the valley you pass through 120j acres of -public .reserve bush, a. small portion only being- on the flat ; then follow forty; acre's belonging to Mr; Sweet, forty Mr. Watts, and .eighty Mr. Carter, containing flats suitable for small townships. Your correspondent was, quite right in supposing that:a' ; quartz reef might bo discovered somewhere ,in Bartlett's .Creek In one of the gullies leading , to -Spring,, Valley, or Bartlett's. Creek, tliere is a; most; beautiful specimen •to , bo seen of a quartz reefi '; '"'*-.' I have been told by miners whose experience extends to California and .Australia, as"well as New Zealand, thatit equals anything they haye ever seen, .and are. of opinion, that a quartz crushing machine .might; be turned to some advantage here. I ani very glad to see that the recent case of drowning at Manuka Island (together with an inquiry as' to an inquest being held xipbn the body) , was brought before the Conned. I trust that the gentleman- who has so kindly taken iup this case will sco tha*t it is thoroughly sifted. It has nof only "rained But poured here for the lasYfew'days,' leaving tho Waifau'River tb* assume more the appearance of a sea-thau airiver, thereby cutting, off _ our .communication .with .the ...miners who have.lately .been busily employed deep, sinking, ' which cannot possibly prove successful at this season of the year. . ; . r .. 1; ..,,'„ ...* r ,.- " ;