TOTARA.

West Coast Times, Issue 58, 17 October 1865, Page 2

TOTARA.

Ross, October 16th, 1865. It is with pleasure that I report the continued proofs of the richness of this district ; each day has its new rush, few of which but will pay good wages, and in some instances heavy finds have been obtained. The great event of the past week has been the rush on the surveyed township, owing to a party of miners having struck payable gold (1 dwt. to the dish) at the foot of the terrace. Several holes have been bottomed on the hill side, varying in their prospects from £ dwt. to 2 dwt. to the dish, with about 3 feet of wash-dirt. The depth of sinking is 85 feet through a heavy wash. Two loads of dirt taken from the shaft at the foot of the track leading into Jones' Gully, gave the, handsome return of 6 ozs., and at the other extremity of the terrace, close to the slaughter-yard, 4 ozs. to the load has been washed out by a party of Welshmen, so that it may be fairly supposed that the whole face of thik terrace will be profitably worked. Prior to the arrival of the Warden the sergeant of the police endeavored to present the diggers from mining on the streets, thereby throwing a little cold water on, the energies of the miners, who hirdly likeft to sink when cautioned not to do so by the sergeant ; but Mr Aylmer, warden, h'Stf taken a different view of the matter, and a niost, sensible one too, by sanctioning mining" o'ri the streets, with the provision that all shafts are to be refilled with earth before being abandoned, so that in my next I anticipate being able to communicate still more satisfactory intelligence of the' prospects of the place. Those who have been fortunate in securing claims in Jones' Creek contintfe to speak in favorable terms of their returns ; ground that will yield £5 or £6 per week is held in light estimation, for many parties are making from three to four ounces a day per man ; but I think nearly all the best ground in this creek is now occupied, although small wages may be easily made in many parts not yet worked. A party of miners have commenced to bring]in a race from Donelly's Creek to sluice the terraces on Jones's Creek. It will be a great boon to the mining community when completed ; there is a vast area of ground that will not pay for cradling, but with the advantages of a head of water and sluice-box would prove handsomely remunerative, and support a much larger population than is at present located here.