MANUHERIKIA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 74, 10 July 1869, Page 3

MANUHERIKIA.

(From our Own Correspondent.)

July 7th.

Up to the present we have had a fine winter in this quarter. The weather during the past month has been for the most part frosty, although not of so severe a nature as in any way to impede mining operations. Nor were the few intervals of thaw followed by any serious rise in the Molyneux river. The beginning of the present month gave promise of greater severity, the frost being so intense on Friday and Saturday last as to stop the supply of water in some of the races ; however, it did not last long, and the weather at present, though still inclined to frost, is all that could be desired. The Molyneux has been steadily decreasing in volume for the last two months, and is now at a very low level. For this, as well as for the fine season, we are, or at least ought to be, truly thankful. Kitt and Co. of the renowned Frenchman's Claim have bottomed some weeks ago, and have some twenty hands employed. The yield of gold, though perhaps not up to that of former years, is still very favourable, from GO to 100 ounces being nothing unusual for the twenty-four hours' sluicing. The deep ground, which was proved to be so rich last year, has not been touched this season, Mr. Kitt having as yet confined operations to the shallow bottom. The Hit or Miss, next claim to the Frenchman's, is likewise in full work, and promises to surpass former years in the yield of gold. Stanbrook and Co., Butcher's Point, bottomed their claim last week, and obtained some very fair prospects, though scarcely so good as last year. From the plucky and energetic manner in which, this company have gone to work, and the amount of labour which they employ, about thirty hands being the average, it is to be hoped that they will make a good thing of it. The Manuherikia Sluicing Co., are still sinking for the main bottom in their claim on the Manuherikia river near Butler's Point. They are now down some twelve feet below the level of the. river, but as yet there is no appearance of either washdirt or bottom. The drift appears to get firmer as they get down, and is, in appearance, more like the drift peculiar to the banks of the Molyneux, than that of the Manuherikia. This tends to confirm the general belief that the Molyneux once had its bed somewhere about the company's claim. The Ovens Co., are still confining their operations to the ground locally known as the "Bluff Face," and it would appear from the close manner in which they stick to the same place, that they must be doing well. Of dredges, we have no less than five at work between here and Clyde, all of whom are doing well. This branch of mining is paying better than any other in the district. The shareholders of the Alabama have averaged about £40 per man per week since the commencement of the season. The Galatea has been paying dividends of as high as £30 per man per week, while the Clyde paid its shareholders lately over £110 each for one week,this, however, was rather an exceptional week, and such rich patches are not often met with.

I am informed that Messrs. Beattie and Co's dredge at the Twelve Mile Beach, as likewise some of the dredges at work near the Teviot, are doing little or nothing.