THE TOTARA.

West Coast Times, Issue 75, 25 November 1865, Page 2

THE TOTARA.

Re S3, November 22. Conriderable excitement has been occasioned hero during the last few days, by reports of a now discovery of gold in tho Totara River, and a rush of several hundred minors lias taken place to a small creek running into the Totara, about ten miles north east from Ross. As usual, many exaggerated rumors have been in circulation as to the richness of this new locality, and many miners have not hesitated to sell out of good paying claims to hasten thither. The facts of tho case are simply these ; a party of six men have been prospecting for some weeks past, and their last week's earnings amounted to 3£ ozs, f obtained by sluicing. On the strength of this prospect^ they havo applied for, and obtained a prospecting claim, being granted an area in sizo four thmes nn ordinary claim. Their names are Philip Blackmore. Francis M'Clean, J. B. Nethenvood, Robert Gibba, Win. Fitzsiinmons, and Donald M'Gregor, The man who applied for the claim mentioned that his mates had not yet time to thoroughly prospect the ground, and he very candidly stated that ho could hold out no encouiaging prospects for a rush ; but a crowd of excited miners dogged his footsteps from place to placo throughout the township, and fairly ran him down to the spot where his mates are working. Throughout tho day the excitement continued, aud the news quickly spreading, has brought in many eager diggers from distant points of the district. It is, however, very problematical whether their anticipations of a good find will bo realised. Another rush has also taken place in a dif 4 ferent direction, the point of attraction in this instance being on tho Sea Beach, five miles south of the Mokinui River. A parcel of very fine gold, weighing 2 lbs, was sold at the Bank of New Zealand last week, by some men who stated they had obtained it by cradling the sand, and on this becoming known, a great number of miners hastened to the spot, and from prpspeets obtained have received sufficiemt encouragement to remain ; there now being some three hunderd men at work, most of whom are earning wage 3 averaging from 16s to 30s per day. .The gold is, as usual, of tho finest description, in fact, an almost impalpable powder, and is found mingled with black sand at various depths from the surface. From tho heavy roll of tho surf on the coast, miners are unablo to avail th6mselve3 of tho sea water for washing, but are compelled to carry the wnshdirt to tho nearest waterholes in tho adjacent bush.- This entails much unprofitable labour, and eovernl parties have already arranged to amalgamate their claim-- and employ somo of their mimbor in constructing watercourses and dams, so as to ensure a supply of water at an easior distance from their workings. Soveral quicksilver cradles afo in use, although many are making shift with the ordinary cradle and blanket, but as a matter of course they lose a considerable portion of tho gold. Tho supply of provisions on the beach is quite equal to the demand, and the first mob of cattlo was driven down for slaughter a few days since, beef being sold.at Ross Town prices. It is reported that two small schooners, laden with provisions, have safely crossed the bar of the Okarita and sailed up towards the diggings. Their arrival will bo welcomed by the diggers located there, as stores have lately been selling at famine prices— flour, 2s Cd per lb, and other articles in proportion. ' Tho creoks running into this river are nonbeing steadily prospected, but tho difficulties attendant en the search for gold are very great —tho watercourses in inauy instances opening out into impassible swamps, and in others running between high precipitous cliffs, narrowing in places to an opening of only two or three feet in width. Wherever a layer of washdirt is found on this river, payable prospects result, but no spot has yet been opened up sufllcient to give work to more than a very limited number of minors. Throughout tho Totara district mining operations havo been much delayed during tho last week by the almost continual downfal of rain which has taken place. All tho creeks havo been flooded, paddocks filled up, dams injured and in places washed away, and much additional labour entailed. The party of miners engaged in turning the bed of Donnelly's Crook havo for the third time seen tho greator part of their work destroyed by the flood, but nothing daunted they hare again set to work to repair damages, with a porsoverniice that ought to command success. Most of tho deep claims continuo to pay well, nnd shares chango hands at high figure?, from L7O to LBO being a fair average quotation. The claimholders holding tho ground on thoorcek running between tho old and now townships havo amalgamated, and are now washing to an inoreased advantage A share in ono of tho claims changed hands nt L7<s, and thore are eagor bidders for o'thord nt tho t-amo figure. Much additional ground has lately been takon up for sluicing in tho various little gullies towards tho head o£ Jones' Creek, and iv tho direction of tho sea bcaoh By means of dams placed across tho numerous small water courses, two or threo sluice heads of water are easily accumulated,and thoro is soarcoly any ground, aayeS tried, that does not yield good wages. At Maonally's Flat, and in Maori's, Robertson's, and Sailors' Gullies, sluicing claims are amongst tho best speculations, and ovoh on tho terraces where surface water is the only supply to bo obtained, good olaims havo bcoii taken up, affording a prospect of steady employment for many months. The wash, iii all the terracos in this direction, is many feet in thickness, but tho Holiest finds of gold . are invariably noarest the surface, and within two or three feet of tho roots of tho trees. At a greator depth the ground becomes poorer, but will doubtless still yield ,very remunerative returns whenover a proper system of sluicing is introduced. With amplo facilities awai'ing for ensuring a coustaut supply of w<ttor, a wide field exists for tho employment of combined labour and capital in tho construction of raises, aud tho

institution of the all powerful hydraulic syatcrn of stripping which has been so eminently successful on much poorer gouncl on the Otago goldfields ; but hitherto the numerous flying rumours and canards as to now rushes and extraordinary discoveries have prevented tho great mass of miners from embarking in any steady undertaking.