HASTINGS (TAPU CREEK).

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1786, 11 April 1874, Page 3

HASTINGS (TAPU CREEK).

(fboji oub own oobbespondent.)

April 7th. Last cleaning up at the machine gave fiuckland's tributer's 45ozs sdwt melted gold, from something over 100 tons of dirt. Men are now engaged in making a new shoot, and repairing the tramway, so as to be ready for another crashing as early as possible. Bullion people are now. in with their drive upwards of 300 feet, the work progressing at the rate of about 10 feet per week, and no timbers required, but constant blasting throughout. The Hope men are working their ground from two drives, one of which is of most unusual width, and I fancy just a trifle dangerous. * Water in that locality is again very soarce.

A few evenings ago I got hold of one of Wayte's Almanaoa for 1869, in which it is recorded that "Tapu is" a thriving district with its pretty little town ot Hastings lying along the edgo of 4he' Hauraki Gulf. Tapu was thought at first to be the true El Dorado of the Thames, Mclsaaos, Quinn and Cashel's, and Allen and Hall's claims having given large yields and great promise. There is but little machinery at Tapu. not more than two or three batteries. There are some four or five hundred men actually engaged in mining at Tapu, and in the township of Hastings there are some ten public-houses, with a» very liberal allowance of stores in proportion to the population." At present there are three batteries, something less than a score of men actually engaged in mining at Tapu, and two public-bouses in the township of Hastings, also two stores, a school and a Catholic chapel; a Post Office and a telegraph station. Mr Wayte has given the past record of mining matters at Tapu-I give tho pro'sent, but who can tell what may be the future? •'"