THE OTAGO GOLDFIELDS.

Southland Times, Issue 1214, 22 February 1870, Page 2

THE OTAGO GOLDFIELDS.

(FBOM OUR OWS COBBESPOffDEITT.) BENDIGO OTTIiLY — QFABTZ BEEF EXCITEMENT. DuiirsTAS', Feb. 14. The telegraph wires will have already conveyed to you the startling information that stone of surpassing richness has been again discovered at the Bendigo G-ully reefs. Strictly speaking the report was not Correct, still, I am happy to add that, : as a whole, it was not far wide of the mark. "Within a few hours after it had got into circulation, your correspondent proceeded at once to this astonishing El Dorado, and what he is now about to state may be relied upon as strictly correct. What is known as the Aurora Company is situated ' on the second line, of reef, adjoining that of the original prospectors, Logan and Co. It i& an ordinary 600 feet claim, extending from a gully tributary, known, ap that of '

Swiper's, through the brow of a conterminous ridge, to 8 creek further east. It has been opened out at different places, the most extensive opening being a deep cut, extending perhaps one hundred feet on each side of the prospecting shaft, towards the eastern boundary of the ground. Machinery for working the claim was completed a couple of weeks ago, and on the afternoon of Friday, the 2nd, it was formally set agoing. I need not trouble you with a detailed account of the opening ceremony. It was celebrated with champagne, three cheers multipled by thirty, congratulatory speeches, dancing, and all the usual accessories of a merry-making. That it marked a step in the progress of the place was admitted on every side, but that that step would within eight days thereafter take the form of a leap, was not bargained for by even the most sanguine. Such appears to be the result, and if appearances are to be relied upon, the Aurora of Otago will yet be able to take its place alongside of the Long Drive, G-olden Crown, and other golden patches at Auckland. The statement conveyed to you by telegraph, thas one pound weight of gold had been crushed out of three pounds of stone, should have read, that stone had been taken out that would yield from 25 to 50 per cent, of gold. It forms a small leader running out of the back wall of the reef, and dipping down into the ledge. The run is a highly-burnt specimen both of gold and stone. It was struck late on the evening of .Wednesday last. The peculiarities of the formation attracted attention, and on being examined it was found to be a perfect mars of gold, K was not gold amongst the stone, but the stone amongst gold. Now, understand I . am speaking of what I examined with my own eyes. The leader on being further opened out, was, as I have stated before, found to dip into the ledge, and when your correspondent saw it on Friday last, it ran about two inches thick. As yet it is difficult to determine what it may run into, but if it runs into a welldenned solid lead, I shall have something to tell you that will* put the past of Otago completely in the shade. Of course, the workmen are busy opening out the intervening ledge, and Tuesday or "Wednesday of this week, will find them pretty well forward with the work. As stated above, the Aurora battery commenced about a week ago. It has been at work night and day ever since, and a good deal of speculation is afloat regarding the amount of gold it will wash up. The tables look well, that I can say, and the opinion is that from one to two hundred ounces per week will be washed up. The first run will extend over a fortnight, which will fix the washing-up for Friday first. If the produce is worth the trouble, you may have heard of it. before these presents appear in print. A word more about the Aurora; it merits it. The machine consists of an overshot water-wheel 26 feet 6 -inches in diameter. The stamps, five head, have a gross weight of 25 cwt. It is capable of being wrought up to 16 horse-power, nominal, and the number of revolutions per minute, as timed upon the spot, was three, producing 365 blows. The machine works without a hitch, which speaks well for the energy and attention bestowed upon its erection by Mr Eobt. Reid, the manager. The intention is ultimately to add other five head to the battery, which the company propose to devote, so far as consistent with their own interest, to public crushing purposes. This will be a great means of stimulating progress on the Bendigo Grully. At present there is no inducement for claimholders prosecuting their work. They cannot get their stone crushed, consequently they are unable to form an estimate of the real value of their ground. CABBICK BARGE BEEFS. These reefs are situated on the opposite side of the district from Bendigo G-ully. "What is known as the Pipe-clay Q-ully Reef Company have sent up stone for a trial crushing at the Bendigo battery. Theresult will be made known in a few days. It is rich — very rich — but the difficulty will be in working the ground. It will all require to be timbered. - Now, that is a matter of some importance in a place where even a patch of scrub is at a premium. Still the opening up of the Lake Wanaka is in a fair way of reducing the difficulty. At the Nevis, Smitham and M'Morran's reef is reported to be shaping extraordinarily well. The particulars I have not obtained. Mr Smitham, a resident of Cromwell, was sent for last week, and it is rumored that the purpose of the call was to show him a lead of very rich stone struck lately. MISCELLANEOUS. Under this heading the weather may be included. We have had a large quantity of rain followed by strong sunshine. It is feared that a repetition of the floods of last month have taken place down-coun-try. The coach from Dunedin, which should have arrived last night in Clyde, has not yet put in an appearance. The Manuherikia crossing will in all probability turn out to be the cause of the delay. When Otago can afford to get this stream bridged over, a great deal of difficulty and danger will have been obviated. In a recent communication I mentioned the Cromwell Municipal Council. This illustrious body has had, whatjwould, in sporting parlance, be called "a spill." The Supreme Court has decided that the acting Mayor, W. H. Whetter, Esq., is no Mayor, and that a claimant in the person of Mr Gh W. G-oodger is the man. Whetter made a virtue of necessity, and yesterday afternoon handed over the seals of office to the rightful heir. This unfortunate aspirant to civic dignity, it is said, will have reason to remember the doubtful honors held by him in the liquidation of a bill of costs.