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KARAKA CREEK.

[BY OUR OWN EEPOETEB-]

This creek has turned out a considerable quantity of gold during the past few years, which is never recorded in newspaper columns save in that garment of the unknowable—the 500oz sundries in the gold returns. The Karaka is not a com panics' domain ; it is the poor man's hunting ground. Its peculiarities are especially favorable to individual effort, because of what is known as the flinty formation. The miner accustomed only to the flat or the Moanatairi and Waiotahi creeks, would find himself out of his latitude in some parts of the Karaka. While the theory that flinties and mineral veins striking into leaders are perhaps, the most frequent cause of deposits of gold is of general application, here ife is specially exemplified. The Karaka may be denominated the home of the fiinties, and here their nature and effect can be seen to the best advantage. The flinty zone may be said to extend from the City of Manchester claim to the Halcyon battery. Whenever these little flinty veins strike a quartz vein, the probabilities are in favor of gold being obtained for a short distance on either side. A good deal is also said to hinge upon the angle at which the flinty strikes the quartz, and the nearer a right aDgle the better. JNot a few persons are known to have 'earned a comfortable living for several years past by following the quartz veins or stringers to their junction. Away from the junction the likelihood is thtt the cjuarta will pove

poor. As one proceeds up the creek the impression gained is that the country is hard, basaltic, and unkindly. But first impressions are not invariably correct, for behind a rough exterior is often found a rich, warm, and genial nature. And of such is the Karaka. There is a large extent of country which may be wrought with pick and gad alone. And thus it . has come to pass that a creek which a few years ago was the Cinderella of four sisters, is now courted more than any by prospectors. A gratifying feature is, that instead of becoming poorer, several of the mines are richer at the creek level. As instances-, the Rocky Point, Demon, and Hokianga may be quoted. There can be no doubt but that a tunnel up creek, such as the Rocky Point crosscut continued, would cut several rich channels of country.. An inspection of the Karaka creek certaiuly goes a long way towards justifying the contention of those who argue that if the capital expended in prospecting the flat had been spent in opening up the hills, the Thames would have been more remunerative, inasmuch as in the one case the issue was purely speculative, whereas in the other that thousands of ounces of gold would have been the result, <is pro* bable—it is as certain as anything in mining can be. Unquestionably main tunnels should be put through the hills, by means of rock drills. In proceeding up the creek the first place worthy of note is the Collarbone* and the site of the ill-fated Seymour meets the view. Here is a saddening instance of what so often happens on the Thamesafter expending a considerable sum in dead work, little or no prospecting ii done; when the real search for gold should begin, operations cease. Here a shaft was sunk, after machinery had been erected at much expense, a leader or two containing fine looking quartz were cut, but ere they had been fairly tested orders were received to close up the mine. If Mr Kneebone had had fair play from a competent board of directors the probability is that he <*onld have found them a payable mine. It may be remarked, en passant, that a much more glaring instance of the same sort of proceeding almost occurred, and was with difficulty prevented, in another part of the field this week.

We beg leave to make a slight digres* sion at this point. There are several rich lodes which, although they run into the hills from the flat, have never been traced. Of these the Queen of Beauty, Saxon (several), and Prince- Imperial reefs may be mentioned. Where have they gone to P They all, or nearly all, must exist— it would be against the nature of things for them to run out—in the country be» tween the Waiotahi and the Karaka. They will assuredly be found sometime, and as there are excellent looking sandstone and promising reefs in the Collarbone, it is highly probable that that now deserted district—there not being even a Workman there—will be a centre of activity, in the, perhaps not distant) future.

But the eastern side of the Karaka is most in favor now. The first mine met is the Eocky Point, which takes in part of the old Una ground. A tunnel was driven from the road by the Eocky Point and Adelaide conjointly several hundred feet until the Adelaide lode was cut. The Eocky Point drove on it 70 or 80ft when • break was met. The leader showed gold freely, and some excellent specimens were obtained. The crushings from the drive and first two stopes were worth 2ozs to the load, and the shareholders were con* gratulating themselves upon having a good mine, when the stopes began to grow poorer, and the picked stone gradually tapered down to none. The lode, never strong, became very much broken up into stringers, and degenerated in foz dirt. A crosscut was put in on the level with the object of picking up the continuation of the Adelaide lode. What appeared to be a crosslode was met, aid showed gold for ninety feet, yielding about 50lbs of picked stone. It proved worth 2ozs to the load. Rising and sloping on it are proceeding, iadeed this is the only work going on in the mine. Gold is still seen, but not as freely as previously. On the level above, a drive has been put in to near where the leader should be found. The country is very hard, so the work has been suspended for the present..

Beyond the Bocky Point is the well* known Adelaide claim which has hitherto paid its proprietors handsomely. The lode has been driven on more than 200 ft. It is a fine body of quartz, but so far nothing rich has been found at this level.

Next to the Adelaide, but further up the creek is the City of Manchester, the property of Messrs Taylor and Scott. It has been in operation for many yean, affording its owners excellent returns. Work is now proceeding from a low level recently put in from the road, which gives 70ft of backs. The drive is not yet under where the best gold was obtained overhead, but the last crushing averaged 12dwt to the load. Adams and party are also tributing here.

Beyond the City of Manchester is Mr Barclay's claim, and in it the flinty formation may be seen to perfection. It was known some years ago as the Little Lizzie, and Messrs Prescott and Johnson are said to hare cleared about £1500 each therefrom. Mr Barclay took it up about three years ago, and report says that he has been even more fortunate than his predecessors. "Work is still being vigorously prosecuted, but as Mr Barclay was not at the mine when we visited it, we are unable to describe it more specifically. A paddock of quartz lying outside is not particularly attractive looking, and the sandstone has a purple tint and is somewhatspeckled. Some tribute parties have also done fairly.

The First Demon, worked by Messrs John Birney and James Goodwin, promises to be a good mine. A north-south leadev running from two to three inches to a foot, has been driven on a consider* able distance, and the erushinga went from 1J to 4oa. A winze is down upon it 20ft, and it maintains its quality. A leader supposed to be the Moa.reef, was passed through in this drive, and is heavily impregnated with an excellent class of mineral. A Bmall battery is attached to this mine.

(Tq be concluded in our next.)

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS18850509.2.25

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5089, 9 May 1885, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,366

KARAKA CREEK. Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5089, 9 May 1885, Page 2

KARAKA CREEK. Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5089, 9 May 1885, Page 2

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