TARARU.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2121, 21 October 1875, Page 2

TARARU.

Tile Tararu Creek at one time was thought to become a centre. of mining operations, from the large available reefa that gave payable results on trial, tests,; the" promise was sufficiently good,, that a large number of diggers employed themselves in prospecting the country, and capital was forthcoming, that not less than four batteries were erected on the creek, and as the motive power was water the anticipation of cheap crushing apparently justified the large expense incurred in their erection, as well as in laying down a tramway by the Government for a distance of a mile and a half up the creek; The result, however, "on the whole, has been a pecuniary failure fo all that held to their several mining interests," the reefs having almost invariably failed to maintain the show of gold obtained near the surface, proving uDremunetative at even a shallow depth, which has led tq the abandonment of one claim after- another, the shutting up.of the mills, and so far as mining is concerned: the creek may be said to have been abandoned for a considerable time. The large quantity of timber on both sides of the creek has induced considerable traffic in that trade, and the tramway has been utilised for this purpose, enabling bushmen to deliver right up to Grahamstown. The lower part has been denuded of the most valuable mining timber, though there are still large supplies left contiguous to the tramway about a mile up the; creek. There are many residences up this creek, that are not only pretty by situation, but evince the industry and taste displayed by the residents, some of whom are engaged in the timber trade on their own account, and others working in the mines at Grahamstown while a few are employed by the so-called Moanatairi Water-Supply Company, whose operations have extended from the head of that creek to the junction of the Ohio with Tararu Creek. For the purpose of utilising the bush, and delivering the timber, chiefly kauri, this company have expended a large amount of money, in extending the tramway for half a-rnile up the Ohio Creek, and by means of a zigzag hare reached a considerable elevation, thereby bringing the tramway into the vicinity of a large kauri forest, and by sledge roads in connection, are enabled to load trucks and send them down the creek over two miles, or continue on the tramway to the company's yards Grahamstown. Incutting one of these tracks over a sideing, the men came upon a riew of quartz which induced -further search, disclosing a reef of brown quartz of 3 feet 6 inches. From the spot | where it was discovered—about 16 chains up a spur on the right hand side of the creek, and near to the termination of the tramway—a parcel of 5 tons has been dug out, and sent to the Missouri battery, where it yielded equal to two ounces to the ton. The ground has since been properly pegged off as nine men's claim, owned by Taylor and party, registered as the Little Agnes. The discoverers of this reef are satisfied with the prospects, and are now engaged in opening the reef at a lower level—some 50 feet down the spur —thereby saving the steep ascent, as well as securing backs for their workings. In the lower dig out the footwall has not been reached, indicating that the lode increases with its depth. There are no great difficulties in dealing with the quartz, owing to the enterprise shown by the Monatairi Water Supply Company in laying down the tramway.^ Several other parties have pegged off claims adjoining, but as yet have not struck the reef which appears to run within a point of JV.E. by fes.W., and by some is judged to be the Californian reef, or a parallel one. The creek has a bad character so far as its mining reputation is conceraert, but this latest assertion of its wealth, may induce the dormant energies of prospectors, and mill owners, to put forth another effort, that will eventually end in Tararu maintaining its own, and save thousands of pounds being lost or otherwise transferred to distant goldfields.