WAIMEA.

West Coast Times, Issue 51, 30 September 1865, Page 3

WAIMEA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESrONDBNB.)

Mining affairs in this district gener ally present a much more lively appearance than they have done for some time past. The township of Waimoa, of late so deserted, is now getting quite lively, the number of arrivals being daily on the increase. A very fair proportion of tho miners who have arrived by tho Melbourne and Dunedin. steamers have found their way up here, and appear generally satisfied with the prospects of the district. Numbers of minors returning from the Grey in various stages of impecuniosity, are setting-in in all directions, and, in most instances, I am happy to say, aro getting tolerably well paid. Much of the ground in tho vicinity of the township that was abandoned . during tho rush to the Grey, is now being tcoccupied, and worked in a style which proves that the present holders .are men of the right stamp, who will make the ground pay by dint of hard work.

Mehan and party having Completed their race, are now busily engaged in constructing" their dam. This ia the largest dam in the district, being upwards of forty-five feet in height, and proportionately strong. Tho company, consisting of six men, aro bringing in five heads of water, intending to groundsluice their dirt, their claim being situated on a terrace whore tho party have obtained excellent prospects. If the

laudable example set by this enterprising company was more widely followed, this already important district would rank second to none on the West Coast. The Ballarat claim, hold by Stewart and party, is, likewise being worked in a thoroughly systematic manner. Tho head-raje is completed, and a good face opened. The ground is to be worked by tunndlling ; two well timbered drives are being put in, the whole height of the drives being wash dirtt, which is carried in barrows to tho head of tho sluice boxes. Tho paddock at the mouth of the tunnel will contain sixty or seventy loads of dirt, which can be put through the boxes in a day. Several months' work have already bedn expended on this claim, but as the party are now ready for washing, I hope shortly to be enabled to report favorably of the claim. The escort, on Tuesday, took down 2000 oz of goldj and during tho past week the banks have purchased a consi* derabce quantity. fiy the bye, I must not neglect to mention that the leader in the " West Coast Times" of Saturday's issue, has caused considerable discussion, and given general satisfaction — separation from Canterbury being considered by almost every ono to bo the very best thing that could happen to tho inhabitants of this coast.