FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.

West Coast Times, Issue 29, 9 August 1865, Page 3

FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.

The best route to this lately discovered goldfield is to follow down the sea beach to the Totara, on arriving at which —l 2 miles from Hokitika —it will be necessary to cross in the boat; and after proceeding two miles along its banks, parallel with the sea beach, to where the river diverges into the forest, another crossing must be made in a boat, which lands about 300 yards up the river. I may mention that the Totara at present is blocked up at its entrance to the sea, which causes it to assume more the appearance of a lake than a river. At the latter crossing the very modest fare of 2s 6d is asked, wbich is out of all proportion to the services rendered ; j but I have since learnt that more boats have arrived, and probably a reduction will take place. On leaving the boat, and following up the bed of the Totara to its junction with Donnelly's Creek, you follow up thevlatter for 3£ miles towards the range^ whjch opens, out before you, and strongly reminded me of the Pyrenees in Victoria. A path to the right, up a steep pinch of blue slate, brings you on to a track cut by Mr M'Gee, 1£ miles up which is situated the now rush —Jones' Creek as it is called by some of the residents, he being the first to apply for a prospecting claim, which was not" given. Craig and party assert they were the first to find payable gold, but did not apply for ' an extension of ground, owing to the close proximity of other workings. They call it the Caledonia. I merely relate the fact, and leave others to determine by what name this goldfield shall in future be known. The creek takes its .rise at the foot of a large range, which runs seaward, into a large swamp. The • creek contains about four sluice heads of water, and is about 12 feet in width. Along the bed large washed boulders predominate. Tho workings are situated about half-way be- j "~~tweoii <he range un.'l rwwap, and ncauy ovuy one I conversed jyith aiO highly sathfip'.l with Iho prospects which 'hey liuvo oithev got f.homselvos ov «ueu otlici.<> get. The general run of prospects range from £ (iwt to 3 dwts to the dish; the terraces are allowed to be the best so far. I will mention several instances of the result of a few hours' washing, which will indicate the value of the new discovery :—: — Craig's party washed, in 5 hours, 7 ozs; Charley Riley's party, 4£ ozs in 2 hours; Jones' have yet to wash, but excellent prospects have been obtained; Bill Friend's claim was just bottoming, and showed from i dwt to 1£ dwt to the dish. Several others I could mention were it necessary, and a general feeling seems to pervade the minds of those I met with that this goldfield would be a source of profitable labor to many. Regarding the probable extent of workings, I cannot accurately state. Craig informed me that he got payable ground 1£ mile towards the swamp from where they are at work at present. The number of miners on the ground it is difficult to form an estimate, they lying so scattered up and down the creek —say 250 —which number has been largely added to within the last two days. The holders of bed claims have been engaged for the last few days in the construction of a flood-race, which already extends half-a-mile, and is of a very creditable character, considering the short time they hare been at it. It was thought that a collision would resnlt between the terrace claimholders and the river men, owing to tho flood-race, which they apprehended might injure them. Complaints were rife at the non-appearance of any government official, and at the great hardship of travelling to Hokitika on the least matter affecting their claims. Others were of opinion that their absence was as desirable as their presence. Sawyers are much required, there being none at work, and the miners are necessitated to make boxes as best they can. M'Gee and Dalley are the only storekeeper's, and having only arrived a few days, their buildings are consequently of a temporary character. On returning, X met a quantity of goods in course of transit to the rush, so no fears need be entertained of a scarcity. The road, after leaving the sea beach is one of the best on the West Coast; M'Gee's track will doubtless in vret weather and constant traffic get cut up, but at jwesent it is in excellent order. Having learnt all the particulars relating to tlio rush, I concluded to return by a circuitous route, embracing German's and Maori Gullies, also M'Nally's Flat. On German Gully many excellent claims have been opened, realising from LlO to LI 6 per week to each shareholder ; tho same may bo said regarding Maori Gully where several claims are now being worked, from which they expect to obtain from L4OO to LSOO each. On M'Nally's Flat a number are making steady wages. Boyce and party are amoug the fortunates; their stripping is 10 ft, and they are obliged to rradle their dirt not having water sufficient to sluice. From the appearance of these gullies, the heavy wash and extent of likely ground in the vicinity of where the miners aro now working, would induce tho belief that payable ground will be openou

capable of containing a much larger population than is now located on them. Complaints were numerous in reference to tho application of the present mining rules, in the matter of prospecting, which places tea miles as the radius beyond which a prospecting claim can be granted. Now the present rules were formed for the Otago goldfields, and it is a well recognised fact that five miles of bush in the West Coast is a greater obstacle to prospecting than three times the distance in the former province. I think that this rule might be safely altered to half the distance ; by so doing greater inducements would be offered to the miner to discover and open up new ground.