WAIPORI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 373, 15 July 1874, Page 3

WAIPORI.

{From a Correspondent)

The weather experienced of late has been extremely mild ; bi fact, this is the mildest winter that can be remembered by those who have been resident ai. Waipori for the last ten years. In mining mattera at jpresent, there is not U great deal to chronicle. The Blue Duck claim, at the Lower Crossing township, still continuesjrto realise very good results. Its fortunate proprietors, who work occasionally two or three days in the week, are making from £5 to £10 per week per man. The claim is situated in close proximity to the Drainage Channel, and was formerly the natural bed of the river. The ground is very Bballow, and consequently the stripping is very light. The appliances used are not of the most recent invention. A California pump does duty in keeping the bottom of the claim dry, the water from which is utilised for sluicing purposes. No doubt if it were systematically worked, twice or three times "the present amount of tho precious metal could easily be obtained. The gold obtained Is of a very coarse nuggetty character, aud lies principally on the main bottom. The proprietors are sanguine of amassing their fortunes iv a short period. It is to be hoped their ci i ,ei.tf'tt.. v> _.£ will b^ realised. — Messrs. Simpson and pnrjy. who bare been prospecting lately, Ime dropped across some \e.*y good prospects. Their elaun is also adjacent to the Channel, about a quarter of a mile higher up the river than $he Blue Duck Co. — Those miners who have pegged off claims are anxiously looking forward to the completion of the Channel, as the Warden will not sanction any applications until it is finished. A considerable ai ea of ground has been pegged j t>ff, mostly in 6-acre claims. The Drainage Channel is being pushed forward by the contractor with commendable vigor. It is expected, if the weather continues favorable, to be completed in the course of a month or six weekß. In many portions of the. work, the average depth excavated is ten feet. There is a greater amount of rock to contend with than was

requiring the frequent use of W blasting powder. There are 200 hands employed, the majority o£ whom are chiefly Chinese. All the river diversions — five in number, including the O.P.Q. Creek — have been completed. Before concluding this matter, I would urge upon " the powers that be," the immediate necessity for the sides of the Channel being built up to the water level either with or stone. The outlay would not incur a very large expenditure, and unless some decided action in this direction be at once taken, the construction of this gigantic undertaking will be money uselessly — aye, recklessly squandered. I have no hesitation in asserting that it will require twenty or thirty men constantly employed to keep the excavation ■clear from all debris, and in working order, ainless the side walls of the Channel are protected in the manner I have indicated. It is rumored that the promoters of the O.P.Q. Reef are endeavoring to purchase Messrs. Budson and Party's race. They purpose offering these gentlemen £1,600 for their right and interest. No doubt this offer will be accepted. Rumor also hath it, that Mr. E. Hill has been appointed working manager of the Company's reef. Mr. Hill is in every respect competent, aud is deserving of the position. A special meeting of the Board of Wardens was held in the Commercial Hotel on Saturday evening last. Present : Messrs. Pilling (Chairman), Wr'ght, and Robertson

(Secretary.) A letter was received from Mr. P. Power, Inspector, informing the Board that he would take action in removing sheej) — the property of Cotton and Henrj and M'Coombe — trespassing on the commonage. The following applications to depasture stock* were granted : — Johanna Lewis, 5 ; Maxwell, 6 ; Manley, 9. v The Chairman complained that a number of cattleowners were J very negligent in applying for license to depasture stock on the commonage. He also mentioned that several individuals were runiiing cattle on the common in excess of their licensed number. Tho consideration of the election of a fresh Board was deferred until the regular meeting, which takes place on Thursday next. At a previous meeting of the Board the following applications to depasture stock for the ensuing six months were granted : — Cattle : M. Crawley. 14 ; W. Phillips, 15 ;H. Kevin, 2; A. Searle, 10; Shackelton and Jones, 7 ; J. Sparling, 9 ; J. W. Johnston, 2 ; •J. Slater, 18 ; J. Page, 12 ; J. Ritchie, 20 ; P. Gegan, 4 ; J. Hart, 20 ; J. Kelly, 4 ; R. Pilling, 16 ; J. Moore, 25 ; A., J., and M. Robertson, 6 ; A. M'lntyre, 12 ; Cable and Drummond, 25. Horses : JR* C&ffell, 1 ; J". Sparling, 1 j Searle, 2 ; Johnston, 1 ; Page, 1 j a Hullins, 3 j R.^PilliHg, 3 ; A. M'lntyre, 1.