MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 83, 16 December 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

- THE SHOTOVER. (From the correspondent of the WaTcatip Mail.) All mining affairs at, and near Maori Point woar a most cheering aspect, the shareholders in every claim, as if some new life had been infused into them, seem to work, with a charming vigor. Visit .whichever claim one may, the same 'aotivity abounds, and the same knowing smiles meet ona, which seem to say "Ah, master Shptover, we have learnt how to conquer you at last, and intend to enjoy a merry Christmas and a happy new year from the spoils of thy ancient channel." And such is likely to be the case ; for the numerous enterprises now near completion are of a character most creditable to the intelligence, and unswerving patience of the miners in prosecuting their operations on the only system suitable for properly working the river thoroughly, and who seem determined if possible to get the wherewith to enjoy themselves at the forthcoming festivities. - I visited the Perfect Cure Beach, where 100 feet more of _the grounJ is crated off, below* Maori Point .bridge. The Diligence wheel is now in full working order. This wheel and pumping gear belong to that veteran river-neptune, R. Millan and his party, who may be seen daily, during this fine weather, up to his middle in water, active as a kitten and strong as a lion,' steering or hauling a huge punt of stones from the head of an adjoining claim to its destination at the tail end of the race. This kind of work, lam glad to say, is nearly done with, and after sticking to it through all difficulties jbr nearly two years, the party are just sinking their fii'st paddock since the completion of their wall. An accident occurred while I was there, which shows how thoroughly the miners and the Shotover understands each other. Whilst Millan and 'two of his mates were hauling their punt along and passing her through the mill, race which drives the 'undershot wheel, the current carried off punt and painter, and away she went down the stream at the rate of ten knots a hour, when— helter skelter — some half dozen, of the party rushed into the current, as if it were merely a plunge bath, and quickly seized the wayward punt and hauled her safely to shore. The owners of the Inglewood claim, on the same beach, with Mr. Dyer, as engineer and manager, at their head, and -with whom also ax*e Messrs. Anderson and La Rue, are just completing their well-built wheel, and in. the course of a week this valuable machine with its accompanying pumping gear will grace the well-protected mill race and beach, performing the work of fifty men at every revolution. The Inglewood company have been at their work as long or longer than the Diligence company, and have, had the same battles to fight against the terrace sluiccrs, and suffered the same disappointments in attempting to work their ground without first providing the necessary strong and suitable embankments and machinery. They have stopped fit nothing ; their wheel is provided with the latest improvements in cog, instead of the fly wheel and rope, as in the Perseverance and Barratt's. The Inglewood claim is some 900 feet in length, and the whole of it crated off; whereas Millan and party's claim, although crating theirs in two, is only some 150 feet. Both claims have been proved, and very little of them ever worked on account of the large amount of water, to contend against. In one or two paddocks, however, about twelve feet square, as much as 90 ounces of gold were taken out, although, at the time, it was necessary to lift the washdirl up in two or throe feet of water. It is those first prospects which caused all hands to enter into the large and costly undertaking, now so near completion, and in a fortnight the luglewood party will be on the gold the first time for eight months. Next in order comes that justly celebrated claim of Stuart and party (Sullivan's) which — through any amount of litigation — has been regularly worked (under the able guidance of Mr. John Mofi'att, the ougincev), with the aid of the Defiance wheel, and necessary crating and pumping geav. This warty, after working all the available ground near them, are now actively engaged in shifting their wheel and works to the opposite side of the late claim, which operation will be complete in a few days. All the owners of river and beach claims have to build a head-dam across the present river course, which will occupy about ten days, and then some 1000 feet o£ new ground wiJl be • opened up, and about forty men engaged thereon. The crating for the Avail being already in its place, the head-dam only is required to enable the parties to work a very large extent of proved ground. Lastly, I will just allude to Barrett and party, who have been for more, than six weeks crating off new ground, and put in their last crate yesterday. The wheel only has to be shifted to the lower end of tbeir claim, when this company 'will also be on gold. This work will occupy about ton days, after which the party will proceed face on, with a tail-vace, instead of, as before, having to dam back the low water, and pump the whole out of their paddock. Taking everything into consideration, I am warranted in predicting large yields from all these claims by Christmas, and a heavy escort for the new year. The Perseverance party, Stapelton's Beach, divided close on £400 amongst them last week, after paying ten wages men ; but for the rise in the river on Friday would have had a .much larger sum. They commenced to strip again on Saturday, and have still gold on hand. " • The Aylmer Race Company, instead of washing up from their ground sluice, wash out their boxes now and then.' The proceeds from these last week amounted to about 115 ozs. Th c Mountain Sluicers are on better ground than they expected to find, and their prospects are therefore pleasing. Spence and party — Mr. Netherwood's old river claim— got rome good gold early last week. I hsve not ascertained the quantity, but three or four ounces per man was obtained in a few days. The whole party came down to the Point on Saturday last for' new pumps, and then hastened back. The Londonderry Terrace party — Davy and Co. — which gained the disputed "ground case, have driren through washdiri that will pay £1 per day per man, and left it there, being determined to reach the deep ground in the terrace where the previous party, Jones and company, obtained their large pieces of gold. For this purpose they have to blast away the reef, at the mouth of their tunnel for drainage purposes, and which will be finished in a few days, when they .will ascertain if their " piles " lie in that direction ; and if they will work the ground previously mentioned. Some, excellent accounts, reach here from the other side of the river concerning a river claim being worked by M'Lean and party; but as I am not in possession of full particulars I will leave it till my next. ■ Mr. Truman has secured for himself the whole ■ of the Stony Creek Race. He has taken out . miners' rights, and intends at once to put on six men to bring in the water. lam informed this valuable race has already cost £1400, at the current rate of wages. Some six months' work remains yet to be done before the water can be brought in. The Wire-rope Sluicing Company, which had lately fixed their hose across to Gterman Hill and the water turned on, have been delayed a little. Just as the water in the hose bad reached the

opposite Bide of the river one. of the strands oi the rope broke, and consequently stopped the works.. The manager,- Mr. Spvatfc, informs lac • that the rope severed at a joint which ought not to have been there, as strict orders were given that each of the wires was to be in one length. They will only be hindered for a week, however, as three-quarter inoh wire rope has been obtained in Queenstown. This party, also/ "mil be getting gold from the proved terrace, G-erman Hill, long before Christmas. The lust news I have, and the most welcome to horsemen, is contained in the faot that the new track is at last opened for traffio right through from M'Arthur's to Maori Point ; so that equestrians may now have a glorious and uninterrupted rido amidst mountain scenery and along a well formed road from. Queenstown to that, until now, almost inaccessible Maori Point settlement known as Charleston.