Ohinemuri.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2033, 10 July 1875, Page 2

Ohinemuri.

: . (FBOM A COBBESPONDENT.) ;■ :2 •.:!■-. - w :^::' i\. July9th. / I regret to say that there are now only two or three parties working in the Karangahake—all the other claims have got■" protection," and consequently the men have left. You will think it strange that, notwithstanding all the work some of those parties have done here—and I can assure you that some of them worked hard since the field was opened up to the present-time—virtually, that work has been quite useless to prospect the ground properly. The reason is simply that very little of thai; work has been done in. solid country, but nearly all in what you might term alluvial or surface formation. Certainly this is a disappointment that was not expected, and ; eould not be foreseen. : The: most experienced miner standing on the leading range in the Karangahake would" not imagine for one moment that this range conslstedof Tariousstrata of alluvial "formation to a depth of 140 feet, and perhaps more. Here could be found the most interesting geological formations, from drift sand and shingle, to rocks comprising the most opposite conglomerated substances ; in fact, each boulder, as well as each mass of so called " floating rock" you met with had some peculiar geological constructive elements in it-different from the last one you went through,- whilst from time to time were to be found small beds or layers of"vegetable composition running in every conceivable direction; so that all this taken together has been the cause of sad disappointment to.many persons. All the work done just proved this and no more; that, todo any effective work towards prospecting or discovering the run of the reefs from the prospectors' ground, new drives and new shafts would have to be started, which the parties thought it better not to do at present, but to get their claims protected until the summer sets" in, when they:will be able to start again with replenished funds and renewed vigor.... ... . .., „„, , The Prospectors are still-.putting'in their low, level tunnel 5 it is in over 200 feet, but they have not cut the reef yet as they anticipated. They are also busy making preparations to erect their battery. I saw Mr McLaren on Wednesday inspecting the ground were they have applied for the water race, and I believe this, is all right. At Fern Flat the parties there are still working away. I .may mention that some persons are very sanguine that that locality will yet turn out very well. ,_ I may also state that the Banyan Claim, and those which surround it, have still faith that they,, will get golden gains to repay them; for their enterprise. Certainly the Banyan lias 1 shown from time to time, some, nice stone with gold in it, but as yet I have hot heard of anything extraordinary being found in it. The Waitekauri is.all the go ; but some of the shareholders are not- satisfied with the terms on which the machinery is to be erected. They consider that they are paying far too dear For their whistle ; but as they cannot help it, of course they will have to grin and bear it. la reference to this, it seems strange that, whilst banking establishments are cutting each others' throats in endeavoring to get a monopoly of questionable speculative concerns, here was a legitimate and, no doubt, will be a remunerative speculation, besides being also a praiseworthy one, and they stand by and allow one or two individuals to step in and make their own terms in the transaction. The most singular bit- of news I can send you lias reference to the A. C. camp here. The other day fancy my surprise at seeing pots,,pans, kettles; billies, panniikins, and all the menage that constitutes the cook's department in the camp of the Armed Constabulary, piled up together for what purpose—well, I could not guess.. First, on. seeing .some.old I billy-cans in a crippled condition, as if they had been hit by a splinter of shell in some close engagement, besides other articles equally bearing marks of being, in some warm fields, I thought they were going to be pensioned off or sent to the museum,butmdeedno,nothingof the sort. I was quietly informed the whole kit was being collected to be forwarded immediately,, not to the seat of war, but to; the seat of Major Cooper. Why;'ft.; Because they belonged to the Provincial Government, aud as they were useless the* General Government did not want them

any longer. So ,by all means it resolved and acted accordingly, let them take care ot tbeir own useless things. I will say no more ou this _ subject at present, but I hope, some wit "%ll give this incident a little attention, smcTif he does not immortalise the act, at all events Lois sure to fossilise the goods as they are already in that intcrestingJcondilion.