UPPER WAIKAIA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 232, 11 July 1872, Page 8

UPPER WAIKAIA.

(From our Whiteeomb Creek Correspondent.) About two months ago, I dispatched a letter containing a full report of these diggings ; but as it did not, appear or was noticed in your journal, I conclude that it never arrived at Ross Place. As we have no regular mail to these parts (which, by the way, is only a few miles from the north pole), we have to depend on the. packers or any chance traveller who may be going to the Teviot or Switzers to forward our letters. However, if the letter should not turn up, I may perhaps send you a duplicate of it, as well as a report of the other diggings in these snow-bound regions. I have now to report that another claim has struck goo.l wash dirt, and the owners are smguine of being paid for time lost goiug through deep duffer ground. Most of the new claims are h ird at work opening up, and although none of them are as yet in the deep ground, they all have gravel on the reef contaning gold. With some it will pay £2 or £3 a man per week. The river is low, but the frost is extra severe, which is a slight hindrance. I am sorry to say that several of the miners, including one from Campbells Creek, after battling with the climatic influences, viz., severe cold, snow, and water, have had to succumb ; and have gone to Switzer's Hospital, where, under the skilful treatment of Dr. Lake, they no doubt, will soon be able to renew the struggles with their old enemies, the frost and snow, for an existauce — cheered by the too often delusive hope of something good turning up. (I will not say pile, as I consider the word obsolete in New Zealand.) Speaking of the Hospital, reminds me that the Miners' Associations should unite their voice with ouv representatives in the Assembly, to impress upon the Government the absolute necessity of making provision for the permanent endowment of hospitals on golclfields. I think there cannot be any doubt of the inci'easing necessity of these institutions. When in Switzers last week, some of the old residents of that place, who. since the track was opened through the Waikaia Bush, have acquired interests on' the Upper Waikaia, told me that they were about to petition the government to annex us to the Switzers district. As I have not seen the petition, I cannot say what grievances the petitioners seek to have remedied ; doubtless they havesome. The residents of the Whitecorab are satisfied to remain in the Teviot district, for although the track may chance

to be closed a few weeks at a time in the winter, the distance is much less than it is to Switzers — the difference being of considerable importance to those who have to travel on foot over such shockingly bad roads. There is nothing fresh in mining on the "Whitecomb or adjoining gullies since my last. [The letter alluded to never reached us.— Ed.]