MINING.

Southland Times, Issue 633, 18 February 1867, Page 3

MINING.

Under this heading we have to report the discovery of gold in Stewart's Island, situate a short distance from Bluff Harbor ; also at a place called Waikawa, on the boundaries of the Province. The results obtained in the case of Stewart's Island, lead to the conclusion that at no distant day a mining population will be located there. As much as 600 ozs. are said to be in the hands of the miners at Waikawa, who at present only number about seventy. From the Orepuki we are without any information of importance. We append the following official rep ort received by the Commissioner of Police : —" Stewart's Island, Port William, 31st January; 1867.—Sergeant Morton reports that he arrived at this place at 8 a.m. on the above date, and he was shown the claim by Mr. Cullen and party which was applied for as a prospecting claim. The sergeant prospected the claim in several places, and found a prospect of about half a grain to the shovel and about two grains to the dish, which he forwards to the Commissioner. The beach is a small one in the bay, about three hundred and fifty yards long and fifty wide. At low water the stripping is about one foot deep, and there is about six inches of washdirt. There is a good supply of water from the hill above the beach. This beach is all taken up. There has been no gold found in the other small beaches as yet, but the Sergeant believes there are several parties out prospecting round the Island. The Sergeant would not advise any miner to come here at present except those who are intending to prospect, and they would even require a boat and provisions. E. Morton, Sergeant. —T. K Weldon, Esq., Commissioner of Police, Invercargill." The following, from a recent issue of the Walcatip* Mail, will give an idea of mining prospects at the Lake District: — "Mmmg —both alluvial and reef—may be said to be progressing slowly as far as actual results are concerned. Many works of preparation, however, are in an unfinished state, among which may be included those o£, the Big Beach Company, Big Beach, and the Union Com- ■ pany, Arthur's Point. The former are losing no time in bringing up a covered tail-race secure, from all floods; and the latter have been energetically at work in securing their water-race, so as to increase' the supply of water, and also have brought their mammouth water-wheel (36 feet in diameter) to such a state towards completion as will enable them, most probably, to commence the working of their ground the beginning of next week. A party of miners are also busy in carrying a race on to Wrexford Terrace, Upper Shotover. It will be necessary to flume the water across the" river by a span of about 700 feet, and we understand the wire rope required for same is now en route from Invercargill. The prospects of this party is very cheering, as it is stated the ground proposed to be sluiced has yielded liberal wages by a more disadvantageous mode of working. The sluicing and reefing interests are suffering chiefly from lack of water supply, owing to the unusual drought. Eefreshing, and sometimes heavy, showers have occurred lately, but their duration has been too limited for them to have any material eflect in satisfying the demands. At Nokomai results are said to be more encouraging than they have been for some months. The number of miners at work is considerably reduced, but nearly every one on the field is said to be making money. The G-reat Extended Company, who own a very extensive race of about 10 miles, are continuing it another three miles or so, in order to increase the supply of water. Itis true, as rumored in our last issue, that Perry and Co., have struck the reef in their claim. The reef is about four feet thick, and the stone, all through which fine gold is to be seen, is believed to be payable, We were informed yesterday that the Criterion Co., had come on some good stone, said to differ in character from that previously obtained, and the lode was more defined. Information of Southberg and Co's claim, and the Scandinavian will be found below. Of the other quartz claims we can say little; some few are being prospected, but the majority are stilllying untested. A correspondent.;writing f from Skipper's, under date 29th January, says: — Mining matters are improving.., Southberg and Co., have struck some very rich stone, and as the material for their additional machinery is fast arriving on the ground, and .'wili be in working order ih two months, it seems only within

bounds to prophesy that some fine cakes of gold may be expected from this claim before winter sets in. The British American Co, too, have struck the reef in the prospecting shaft. After sinking about 70 ft they have driven some 90 ft, and struck a Ibde about 2£ ft thick, widening out at the bottom/ ; Gold is to be plainly seen all through it. At the Scandinavian Co's claim the last portion of the new wheel arrived a few days ago, and the whole was fixed in its appointed place on Monday last. The following day a trial start was made with ten heads of stamps, and proved highly satisfactory. As much as fifty-eight strokes per minute was obtained, and was kept up. The wheel, which is a reaction turbine, runs very smoothly, and reflects the greatest credit upon Mr Smith, the company's engineer, by whom it was designed. It is astonishing the power it gives with the limited supply of water at hand, consequent upon the late dry season. In sluicing claims things are looking well Watkins and party have cut a new race along Skipper's Creek, fluming their water over the creek by a wire rope. The ground taken up by them has been tunnelled, but the previous parties having no water at hand it was given up by them. Gold is found in the gravel some distance up, and as much as £50 has been refused for a share in the claim. The Aylmer Eace Co are doing very well ; netting as much as £10 per week perman. The Mountain Eace Co are also getting good returns. The Enterprise Co is again at work and their returns are very favorable. All classes of mining have decidedly improved at Skippers. The contractors for the new bridge over the Shotover at Skipper's Point have arrived! This important work is much required before -winter sets in, and it is to be hoped the contractors will push it ahead without delay, as it alone might prevent many accidents to packers and travellers to and from this district." <©■