MINING MEMORANDA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 209, 1 February 1872, Page 7

MINING MEMORANDA.

The Macrae's correspondent of the " Waikouaiti Herald," writes as follows : — Mining affairs, I am sorry to say, are not very flourishing at present owing to th 9 limited supply of water for sluicing and other purposes. Some of the sluicing companies are at a standstill, and likely to be for some time to come. Payable ground has been discovered at Yellow Hill Creek, near Mount Stoker — a rush having set in there last week. A party of diggers, who had been working there on the quiet for some short time are reported as having taken out Bozs. in one week. Water is, however, reported to be scarce there ; so much so that many parties are unable to give their claims a fair trial at the present time. The Sutton Quartz Mining Company, crushed 30 tons of stone, which yielded loz to the ton. The Inangahua reefs on tho West Coast, seem to be attracting great attention. The " Grey River Argus," in a late issue, says: — "Never was there a district, so favoured as the Inangahua, with its distinct lines or belts of quartz reefs running 'north and south, over an extent of country that would employ all the miuing population of New Zealaud. Every creek is more or less auriferous, coal is abundant, agricultural land surrounds the belt, and if our memory serves us right, the existence has been foretold of the great agent mercurey, in its richest form." The "Nelson Mail" says :— Several samples from the various claims at the Inangabua are now on view at the office of the Provincial Secretary, to whom they have been forwarded from the West Coast. Although gold Is not to be seen in any of them in large quantities, nearly every piece of stone discloses its presence when viewed with a magnifying glass. The most celebrated of the claims is that known as Shiel's which comprises an area of 600 feet square, and is the property of eight shareholders, one of whom disposed of half his- share the other day for £1075, and shortly after refused £1500 for the other half. The price now asked for a sixteenth share is, we are told, £2000. The machinery is on the ground, and the first crushing will take place next month. At Mr. Greenfield's office there is also to be seen a specimen of the coal found in the same locality, with which it is proposed to drive the engines. It is stated on good authority that a specimen of cinnabar ore has been discovered somewhere in the Grey , Valley, and that it has been forwarded to Hokitika for analysis.

Dr. Hector, the G-overnment Geologist has been instructed to proceed to Murray Creek to report upon the quartz reefs at that place. The West Coast goldfields, especially in the Grey district, are improving. The Customs revenue at G-reymouth for 1871 was over £1000 in excess of the previous year, and nearly £8000 higher than in 1869. During the first week of th?s year, 22,068 ozs of gold were shipped from the West Coast, 15,809 ozs from Hokitika, and 7026 from G-reymouth. The gold from Hokitika included 7045 ozs from the Nelson diggings* that amount having been sent from Westport a few days prior to the departure of the Melbourne steamer. The value of the exportation is £82,808!