PAEPOA AND OWHAROA.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3766, 22 January 1881, Page 2

PAEPOA AND OWHAROA.

(BY OUE SPECIAL BEPOBTEB.)

No. 2. ' After following the road from Paeroa to Mackaytown (where the celebrated Ohinemuri rush eventuated), we ascended a steep hill, and after walking our horses a shorfc distance farther, entered the bush by the new County road. As we proceeded into the dense bush, which is here almost impenetrable, I could not help being struck with the grandeur of the scene, and the words of Byron flitted through my mind, as applicable to the grand scene on which I gazed—

" There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society where none intrudes," etc. The path by which we travelled was completely surrounded by bush, aud the kauri, totara, rimu, kihikatea, together with their numerous parasites, form a magnificent subject for an artist's pencil. Farther on the scenery becomes more varied, and besides the beauties of the bush, we have other picturesque additions to the landscape. The road here is on the edge of the beautiful Ohinemuri river, which drags its way slowly between the heights on. either side. After riding a couple of miles further, we arrived at Owharoa, where we at once proceeded to observe the operations being carried on in the several mines.

SMILE OF FORTUNE. This clam is the original prospecting claim of the district, and consists of ten thousand shares, the largest owners being Messrs W. Fraser and A. Porter. The ground is now let on tribute to Messrs Hosie and party, who are at present engaged in continuing the main drive on what is known as the No. 2 reef. The tunnel is at present in about 300 feet, the first hundred of which was driven by the company, from which do payable returns were obtained. The next 200 "feet were put in by Messrs Wick and Porter, who had the mine and battery on tribute for two years, and during their term of occupation the tribute percentage paid to the Company paid ofi half the battery purchase money. Up to the present time some 2,100 ounces have been obtained from the Smile of Fortune ground, and the present prospects justify the belief that a large amount of good stone is yet obtainable, as it has been found that the reefs in the adjoining ground improve as they continue to enter the hill. There are four reefs in the ground, on two of which very little work has been done. No. lis a large body of stone, several feet thick, but up to the present the result of the crushing has been six pennyweights to the ton. Only a few tons has* been tried from this reef. . Brom the No. 2,1300 ounces has been obtained, as some seven or eight feet of the surface ground paid well for crushing. On the No. 3, or waterfall, about 50 tons quartz has been crushed, yielding a return of lldwts to the ton. On the No. 4 reef, a large amount of work, has been done, but the ground was very hard. About 500ozs has been obtained from this reef.

RADICAL. In this claim there are three main drives, and the claim is being tributed at present by Campbell and party, who have been actively engaged during the past two years. In the No. 1 drive, between the No. 2 and Smile of Eortune tunnel, nothing is doing at present, but the tributers intend cross-cutting from No. 2 to the No. 1 reef in the hope of coming across the same class of country as in No. 2. In the No. 2 drive the tunnel has been driven 320 feet, and there are good gold indications. The lead at this point has a downward tendency, but is clearly | defined, and in consequence the tributers have put on a number of men who commenced sinking on the lead this week, and have sunk a distance of about 20-feet. It is the intention of the tributers to sink to the level of the road, and then drive another tunnel from the surface. Where sinking, the gold is very good. The last crushing for Campbell and party took place before Christmas, and resulted in the excellent return of 290 ounces of gold from 30 tons quartz, and the tributers expect to have as good a return at their next crushing. Bray and party are workiug two shifts (two men in each shift) in the crosscut between the No. 2and the Annie Creek. The leader has been cut 140 feet from the No. 2 towards the Annie Creek. Altogether the prospects of the mine are most encouraging. OWHAROA. .On the opposite side of the river, Messrs Cassrell and Bennett have tafcen the claim formerly known as the Morning

Light, and which was-abandoned'a long time ago. They are at present working it and are sanguine of success. They hare re-named the claim the Owbaroa. THE NUTT. This claim is higher up the river on the same side as the Eadical, and which was formerly prospected, has again been, taken up, but it is not at present being worked. The drive is in 12 feet, and quartz yielded 6dwts to the ton. OTHER CLAIMS. Little and party have taken up ground behind the Golden Hill and Lucky Hit claims. James Hart and party are at present undertaking a most expensire piece of work, the construction of a tramway to connect their mine (the Lucky Hit) with the Smile of Fortune tramway. THE BATTEEY. The battery plaot is in excellent order, and the machinery amply sufficient. Crushing costs 8s per ton, which is by no means unreasonable. "Waihi. After interviewing the mines and Host Bead, of the Owharoa hotel, we remounted and proceeded along the road towards Waihi. A short distance from Owharoa, on the left hand side of-the river, are the Waitewheta Palls, which fall from a height of 200 or 300 feet. The view at this point is most beayftful. The road from Owharoa to WaitekaW is a fine one, being along the bank of the Ohinemuri river for about half a mile. The way then lies up rather a steep hill, but the County Council intend obviating the necessity of climbing this steep incline when they are in funds to do so. Then on through Thorpe, Earl, and Kinsella's farms where the Waitekauti bridge is crossed. This bridge is a fine new wooden structure 120 feet long, and reflects great credit both y on the engineer and contractor. The next two miles lie up a gentle spur, and across through good land, where the Ohinemuri bridga is reached. This bridge is 20 feet above the water level, and is 140 feet in length. From this point to the County boundary—a distance of four miles—the whole road has been improved, and plank crossing and heart of kauri culverts have been used to replace the original bush material used for the purpose. The road down the Hikurangi Gorge is in a very bad state, owing to the apathy of the Tauranga County Council, who have failed to complete this portion of the road, which is the direct route from Paeroa to Tauranga- *

CLAIMS PEGGED OUT. The claims lately pegged out by Niccol and others are on the road between Ohinemuri and Mataura, and are situated on a conical hill, surrounded on all sides by flat land. The reefs were originally worked by McCombie and Lee, and.were reported on to the Government by Mr A. Porter some 18 months ago, when money was being spent in prospecting operations by the Ohinemuri Prospecting Association. A trial of 12 bags (about If tons) yielded 16dwts 14grs gold. A lot of work is being done, and better prospects are being obtained,, but the want of machinery is a serious drawback. The land surrounding is splendid agricultural land, but, unfortunately, the natives intend to apply for its being set aside as one of their reserves. After a. short stay at Head's on the way back, we reached Paeroa at 6 o'clock, and, after a good night's rest, I returned to the Thames by the Te Aroha on Friday morning. In conclusion, I would tender my thanks to the County Chairman, Crs Porter and Brown, and the Engineer (A. Aitken, Esq.), for their kindness in assisting me while pursuing my enquiries in the Owharoa district, as, had I not had snch willing and valuable assistance extended, the amount of information I should have gained would have been very meagre.