MINING.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 60, 18 October 1864, Page 5

MINING.

Although our province cannot boast yet of any extensive goldfield within her own boundaries, still, from her close proximity to the JNokomai and Lake diggings, and the commercial and general advantages accruing to us from such proximity, ' we' think' it proper , to devote & passing wordto. mining affairs. . On the Nokomai the prospects are decidedly brightening, and new ground is almost daily in the course of being opened up. Heeent accounts relate that there is a probability of the township being bodily removed some five or six miles further up the creek, where the best ground is being struck. Lower down on the Mataura several claims are yielding good wages. These workings are partially on the Southland side of the river. From the Lake district the intelligence is altogether, satisfactory, yAt the ; Head of the Lake an extensive tract of ground is being opened up, which is daily gaining ground in public favor. On Butcher's Gully, one of the tributaries of Skipper's Creek, a quartz reef, said to be- of a very rich description, has just been discovered. A new rush, of rather an. extensive character, has .just been made to Blackstone Hill, on the main road from Dunedin to the Dunstan, and situated near the Ida Burn and Manuherikia Valleys and the "Woolshed Diggings. There appears to be very great bustle and activity displayed in the new township, and sites for building purposes are reported to be in great demand. The yield of gold varies from three ounces to a pound weight to the load, and miners on the ground say it is the richest ground opened since the discovery of the farfamed Q-abriel's G-ully. ' Prom the West Coast of Canterbury the accounts are conflicting, but no important discoveries, in . addition to thoso formerly reported, have as yet been made. The Marlborough Diggings are maintaining their reputation. however, great devastation was caused to the claimholders on the "vThakamarina from the flooding of the river. The loss is reported to be very large.