COROMANDEL: VISIT OF THE GOLDFIELDS SECRETARY.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 35, 16 November 1871, Page 3

COROMANDEL: VISIT OF THE GOLDFIELDS SECRETARY.

Yesterday evening J. Sheehan, Esq., returned from an official visit to Coromandel, whither he had been for the purpose of inspecting the localities of the further works proposed to be undertaken during the coming year. Iu company with Mr Aicken, district engineer, he visited the wharf to which addition is asked to be made; the new beach road extending from the Queen’s Harp claim by Iveven’s Point into the township; the Tokatea Tramway, including the extension on Kennedy’s Bay side, for which surveys are now being carried out ; and the place from which a tunnel is about being carriecf by a private company through the main range to Kennedy’s Bay side. The Tokatea tramway is now in firstclass working order, and has already exercised a wonderfully beneficial effect upon the whole of the mines in the Tokatea range ; large quantities of first-class stone are being brought down daily, and. only yesterday the Tokatea Company finished a crushing of stone brought down by the tramway, the yield of which was 1,2000z5. It is not over-estimating the good which the tramway is doing to say that without the facility it offers for the transport of quartz little or no stone could have found its way to the machine. A number of claims situate at considerable distance beyond the Kennedy’s Bay terminus are now on gold ; and the proposed extension, if

carried out, will help materially to secure the increasing gold export of Coromandel. The difficulty of getting the stone from the claims low down on the eastern slope of the Tokatea xvill still remain to be solved, and it seems likely that machinery will have to be erected on the Kennedy’s Bay side. Even now we hear that capitalists are negotiating with the owners of claims in reference to the matter. Coromandel people must be up and stirring, and push on the construction of the tunnel, otherwise the claims referred to will have to rush to Kennedy’s Bay as an outlet for supplies. The rich discoveries in the Green Harp and other claims on the beach, near the township, have given a considerable impetus to mining and other business. First-class specimens are being taken out in several claims, and when the requisite machinery is erected, the yield from the general stone will open the eyes of the people, who up. to the present time have not been able to see the extent and substantial nature of the mineral resources of Coromandel. It is a curious instance of the uncertainty of fortune that these first-class claims should be situated in the immediate vicinity of the ground on which so much money was expended to no purpose in the year 1862. The question of wharfage accommodation seems in a fair way to become as hard a nut to crack at Coromandel as it has been at the Thames. The present wharf is only accessible for a couple of hours before and after high water, and it is said that a further extension of 800 feet would not add much more than 18 inches to the available depth of water. Preece’s Point, on the opposite side of the bay, is the Tararu of Coromandel; and, like Tararu, it has good deep water close to the shore. It is so far from the town that the distance to reach it must counterbalance the advantage of easy landing. Opinions are equally divided as to whether the present wharf should be extended, or a new one made from Preece’s Point. On the whole, Coromandel is fast becoming a goldfield of first-rate importance. The area of goldbearing country is extending ; population is rapidly increasing ; new buildings are going up on all sides; everybody you meet is full of hope, and has his hands full of business. Even the. capitalists of Auckland are beginning to forget their previously burnt fingers, and are looking round for chances of investment. The independence and energy of the Coromandel people has hitherto sustained them through countless difficulties, but the time has now come when there should take place that union between capital and labour which is absolutely necessary in quartz mining operations. The district has been fairly dealt with by the Provincial Government up to the present time, and it will not be long before it makes a substantial return in the shape of increased revenue. We hope to have a reasonable share of the goldfield revenue gradually expended on the field during the year. While on this subject I might remark that the interest manifested by our Provincial member, Mr. Cadman, for the welfare of the district, is always acknowledged by the settlers and miners.—[Correspondent of the D, S. Cross.]