MINING SUMMARY.

West Coast Times, Issue 359, 16 November 1866, Page 6

MINING SUMMARY.

The accounts which have reached us during the months — October-November — fn m the various Westland workings, are no less gratifying than those we have published in former Summaries ; for, although but little new ground was opened, that in hand has yielded remarkably well, as is proved by the Customs returns of gold exported, which in amount is nearly equal to those 'of last month. Moreover, the diggers seem thoroughly contented with their bush life, as it is now a rare event to see a group of half a dozen men from the mines in an) r part of the town — excepting, perhaps, on Saturday night, when a few score arrive from the Kanieri and Waimea. This is a sure sign that the ground is paying well, for were it otherwise, hundreds of the needy or discontented would soon flock in to head quarters, either with the intention of leaving the country, or to clamour for employment at the hands of the Government. Happily, the district has so far been spared this affliction, and most earnestly do we hope that it ma}' long continue to give remunerative employment to the 30,000 or 40,000 stalwart fellows who are scuttered throughout the length and breadth of the land, opening up the country at the expense of much patient and painful labor on their part. At the date of the publication of our last Summary, we were sanguine that the researches then being made in the back country, would by this time have produced good results ; but although several parties of prospectors have been industriously at work exploring between the coast and main range, we have not heard that their labors were rewarded by any decided success. Several men of the right stamp buried themselves in the wilderness on each side of the Kanieri and Hokitika rivers, and tried many a creek and terrace, but without obtaining really payable prospects. Men have also been out towards the head of the Totara testing one of the most likely looking but rugged sections of country to be found on the coast. They also, have not been rewarded by a decided success, for although gold was found in many places, it was not in such quantities as would pay for the transit of provisions across such a country. By-and-by, however, as the main workings are gradually extended, these at present inaceessable positions will be taken in detail, and perhaps found to be no less capable of supporting a numerous community than other mining centres which, now thickly populated, were opened under no less unfavorable auspices. Strenuous efforts are being made in the Okarita district toopenupthe'liack country, and the inhabitants of the township subscribed LSOO as a reward to the party of prospectors who should strike a payable and permanent field at a certain distance from the sea beqeh. But although tempted by the reward several parties are out in the specified direction, none of them have hit upon anything at all approaching to payable ground. At the same time gold of a heavy nuggety character has been found in contiguity to the snowy | ranges in the Okarita district. But, from certaiu facts that have lately come under our notice, we are convinced that payable country does exist inland, although w e are not in a position to point out the exact locality alluded to. In a former Summary we mentioned that a party of men were working about ten miles inland from the Taipo accommodation hou;^, and that it was then supposed they had struck ground" that would at least pay small wages. Those men have been working there ever since, and must be satisfied with their returns, or they would have left the place to try their luck on some of the many new and rich fields which since then have been opened. The principle event of the month was the discovery of golden country some twenty miles south of the Buller river; and, although it is not situated in Westland but in the Nelson Province it caused great excitement amongst our miners, of whom hundreds left for the newPorado; it, however, belongs to West Coast fields, and therefore is not out of place here- The diggings were opened in the early part of last month or the end of September and so far as we can learn from the very meagre and unsatisfactory reports which have reached us concerning them, arc faituated at no great distance from the Pakihi river, and not more, than fo .r miles from the sea-beach. In its report of these diggings, compiled from information derived from Mr Kynnersley, Warden for the Nelson West Coast Goldfields, the "Grey River Argus'' of the 3rd instant writes thus : — " Two leads have been opened up, the claims on which are very rich, in some instances rivalling those on the celebrated Darkies' Terrace. The first lead, about 400 yards from the beach, parallel with the coast, is about a mile and a quarter long 5 the second one is about three miles further inland, and is about a mile long. On these leads about three hundred men are getting gold, but the lead has in both instances been lost, and parties are now out pros1 pecting to recover it. The sinking varies from six or eight to twenty feet, the washdirt beiug gravel mixed with black sand on a false bottom. In many instances the miners are working on a coa) bottom — a rather novel feature in gold mining. The coal affords ready fuel, and is of good quality. A few miles to the north of the Pakihi there is a beach about eight miles long, on which several parties of miners are working and doing moderately well ; and, in fact, gold is found on several of the

beaches in quantities sufficient to pay small wages — that is to say, will find a man in ' tucker. 1 The township, if such it can bo termed, which has been established at the landing-place, contains eighteen or twenty stores, und other places are in course of erection. Although no official survey has been made, fancy prices are asked and paid for business sites. One Greymouth merchant paid LSO for a site on the beach on which to erect his store. Business is busk, and owing to recent arrivals of goods, supplies are plentiful and moderately cheap. ■ We regret to learn, however, that the/ rowdy element lias already made its appearance. A few days ago, owing to some trifling dispute, a number of riotous fellows threatened to pull dowp Mr Paul's store, and the proprietor deemed it advisable to keep out of the way for a short time. Amongst such a concourse of men, without any police to preserve the peace, disturbances aie to be expected, and we are told that every night scenes occur which make the place anything but a desirable location. We are glad to learn, however, that Mr Warden Kynnersley is despatching a force of constabulary by the Kennedy. At present the supplies for the j Pukihi are all derived from seaward importations, but the Nelson Government have commenced cutting a track from the Buller, which wi]l bring tlie diggings within about seventeen miles of Westport. In ordinary fine weather, however, cargos can be landed without much difficulty at the Pakihi, and if proper surf beats were employed, it is probable that all the goods would be shipped direct. At 'present goods are landed by ordinary boats and prams, which are, even in the most favorable weather, dangerous. The entrance to the small cove which forms the landing-place is through a narrow channel between two high rocks, and the sea rolls through the opening in heavy waves. Several accidents have nlready occurred, and in two instances life was lost. On the 31st ultimo, a boat in coining in struck against the rocks, and was immediately capsized, and one maawas drowned. The lives of three others were only saved by the bravery of a man named, we believe, Beverklge, who, with a rope round his waist, dashed into the surf and rescued them. A deed like thisshould be brought under the notice of the Royal Humane Society. Another accident occurred a day or two previous to a boat coming from the Buller, in this ease oue man being drowned. Large munbeis of men continue to arrive every day, both from the Inangahua and Grey districts, and places to the south. The diggings at the Inangahua are almost deserted, but at the Lyall Creek there are a few parties remuneratively working. Great preparations are b ing made for sluicing at the Pakihi, no less than twenty-five applications for water races having been lodged with Mr Warden Kynnersley before his departure from the Buller." Some of them will have to bring water from a distance of two or three miles. The Buller township, or, to designate it properly, Westport, has naturally felt the influence of the gold discoveries, in its neighborhood, and is assuming considerable importance. Speculation in business sites •s rife, and as much as L2OO and 300 is asked for favored situations. We are given to understand that Mr Seed, the Superintendent of diatoms, proceeds to the Buller to-day, for the purpose of making ariangements for constituting Westport a port of entry. We believe, also, that the Nelson Government is strongly disposed to make the Buller its head -quarters on the West Coast, and will probably carry out this idea should circumstances warrant the change. There are two bank agencies at the Buller— that of the Bank of New Zealand, under Mr Kirton ; and one of the Union Bank, under Mr Martin. A good deal of gold is finding its way to the Buller now — perhaps oOOoz. to 700oz. weekly. We are told that the Karamea is { again attracting attention ; and that some good fresh ground has been opened up in that direction. The Buller storekeepers j are striving to do some of the Pakihi trade, and several lots of goo.ds have been sent sound in wha'e-boats, which dodge down the coast behind the various rocks, which break the force of the sea ; they get L 6 a ton freight.'' The above is the most reliable account that has yet been published concerning the Pakihi, but we mention that later, flying reports are rather discouraging, as they tell of a population located there in excess of the capabilities of the place to support it. Moreover, that no extension lof the leads has taken place. Such rumours, however, are common in connection with newly discovered goldfields, and , are to be received with caution, as there is no doubt, that the gold struck there is a section of that lead which has been traced in patches for many miles along the coast from the Kanieri, in the centre of the Hokitika district, to the Davkie's Terrace, four miles noith of the Grey River. We fully anticipate that between the point last named and the Pakihi, many patches of rich country will he hit upon, although j the work of prospecting there is arduous in the extreme, owing to the great difficulty experienced in obtaining supplies. In the Grey district mining operntions have been vigorously prosecuted during the month, and on the whole successfully ; albeit not much new ground was opened. In the Arnold district the diggeis are chiefly employed in sluicing and tirui Iling, and were a more abundant supply of water at command, would — taking v.c week with another— do remarkably v, ell. The great cry is for the construction of a large ditch from Lake Brunner, as that

I would give the district an inexhaustible supply of the ucodiul clement. A company did form to bring in this race, but as little or nothing has been heard of it lately, we presume the speculation is likely to fall through. At Rivcrton and Italian gullies a limited extent of new ground was opencd\ ,at the end of last month, and some fe\v| holes gave very good returns. Notwith- 1 standing that many months have elapsed I since they were opened, and that thousands " of miners have digged and delved there, Red Jack's, and Maori Gullies Nos. 1 and 2 still send down a goodly quantity of gold. The greatest portion' of the ground is, however, in the hands of a few large I /companies, who by working on an extended and economical system, obtain very high ( wages. At Nelson's Creek two new and extensive water-races have been completed by Farrell and Co. and the All Nations ! Water Race Company. The latter consists of twelve shareholders, who hold an extended claim on a range of highly aurifeIrous terrnces bordering the main creek. The prospects obtained from it range from 6 grs. to 1 dwt. to the dish, with two feet of washdirt ; and as the stripping is shallow, the Company expect to realise handsomely by the speculation. These two races promise to supply a want long felt in • that locality, which has for some time languished, lacking a sufficiency of water for sluicing purposes. The Little Grey diggings are not making much progress, the Pukihi attrafttion having drained them of their bone and sinew. A few miners, however, still find profitable employment in the many gullies and terraces which constitute the workings there. Still in the Grey district, but some eight miles south of the township, is the New River workings, which have yielded largely during the month. The lead there runs along a terrace, about three miles distant from the tea beach, and many of the claims are really very rich. Quoting from the letter written by the correspondent of the v Grey River Argus," we muy state that at the north end of the lead, a share in Bruce's claim changed hands for L 270 ; and in M'Gregor's, further down the lend, an interest was sold for L2OO. Adjoining the latter, Duggan's party are on wasltdirt, that will give 6ozs. to the load. Watson's, Law's, Pain's, the Cornish and liise-and-Shinc companies, are all getting good return*. Much of the ground is, however, difficult to work, owing to the superabundance of water, and several tail-races have been cut into the terrace to drain it. Although the New River lead is paying well, we may state that it has not extended during the month, the gold having been traced into deeper and swampy ground at either end. Four miles further inland gold has been hit upon at the depth of 120 feet* and several claims are paying moderately. But the difficulty experienced in taking down a shaft retards the rapid development of the workings in this locality. We have heard nothing from the Teremakau rush lately, and our last advices were not very encouraging. At the old Gieenstone Creek diggings a settled community has established itself, and, on the whole, may be considered as thriving — or rather contented — with returns which are equivalent to a good living and moderate wages. Marked success has attended the labors of the diggers in the Waimea district, which is without exception the most important on the coast. The population located there may* be estimated at from 6000 to 7000, of which a very fair proportion is on gold ; it is, however, so scattered throughout the numerous workings that only avery approximate calculation can be madejof the number. A very large majority i» absorbed by the Scandinavian lead, which has proved remarkably rich, and has slightly extended during the month, inasmuch as a new hill, which was opened in the early part of October, between Scandinavian and Ballarat Hills, has turned out excellently, and from the depth of the sinking, appearance of the washdirt, and quality of the gold obtained, leaves no room to doubt that another section of the main coast lead has been struck there. The ground, however, is very wet, and difficult to sink through. About three weeks ago another terrace was opened between Ballarat Hill and Piper's Flat, and a lead of gold lias been traced from end to end of it. The sinking ranges from thirty to thirty-five feet, through alternate layers of sandy loam and brown gravel, underneath which, resting on a sandstone bottom, is a vein of auriferous drift, two feet in thicknebss. This consists of a burnt cemented gravel, which in some of the claims is very rich, as much as l|oz to the dish having been obtained from it. At the same time, the lead in these claims is narrow, whilst in others where it is wider the yield is not so heavy. The terrace employs about 120 miners, who oc1 cupy between them some thirty claims. Another rush set in to a gully near Liverpool Bill's, and the sinking being shallow, and return from the prospectors claim 1 dwt the dish, rather high expectations are formed of it. A large number of miners are employed on Piper's Flat,which for its size is oue of the best workings in j the district. High wages are made there, and all who hold claims on or about the . lead are getting more or less gold. On the western slope of Scandinavian Hill proper another " streak" of gold has been hit upon at from fifty to sixty feet from the sur-' face, and the prospects obtained lead to the inference that it will prove nearly as rich as the main lead above it. Of the latter I we can hardly speak in too high terms, for better ground has never been opened

on the West Coast. Many parties will realise from LIOOO to LISOO per man, and the average return may be estimated at from L3OO to LSOO. The other terraces (six iv number) which constitute the Scandinavian rush are I not so rich. At the same time, there are several claims on the second (Hopley's Hill) which are paying very well indeed. The attempts made to trace the lead northward beyond Kapitia Creek have so far failed, but the attempt to do so is by no means abandoned, as a few parties are stiil prospecting the likely-looking terraces and gullies which abound in that direction. Miners who are settled at the old Waimea diggings are mostly employed in sluicing on an extended scale, and the ground thus worked gives very fair returns. In its report, upon this locality the " Waimea Chronicle" says :— " The old Waimea diggings are as steady and quiet as ever. (Several parties working up the right hand /branch of the creek, near the big dam, are earning Ll a day per man. There is a good deal of untried ground in this locality , jjwhich will all probably pay for working. %A shaft is being taken down on a terrace leading into Greek's Gully No. 1. It is down a depth of sixty-five feet, but is not yet bottomed. A stratum has been gone through which augurs well for the wash underneath, and the claimholders feel confident that the claim will turn out well." The yield from the extensive Kanieri district with its net-work of workings, has fallen off during the month, which in part, may be attributed to the decrease in its population, caused by counter attraction elsewhere, although it must needs be conJessed that much of the richer ground is exhausted. The Ho 110 lead which runs from the boundary of the Waimea district to the River Kanieri, is well nigh worked but, nathles-i, many miners yet find profitable employment, working the blocks and pillars left iv some of those' claims that bore away the palm for richness. The Three Mile Creek workings also curry a goodly number of miners, who average fair wages. The Blue Spur lead employs themajoiity of them, and notwithstanding that it has been so long in work, maintains in a wonderful manner its old renown. Nothing, however, has transpired, either at the Ho Ho or Three Mile, during the month, worthy of special comment. The many attempts nude to bottom the deep ground on Tucker Flat have so far failed, but, determined to test it at all hazards, the Great Extended Company have brought a boring apparatus into play, and are sanguine that in the course of a fortnight the problem will be solved. Writing up>n the old Kanieri diggings, the special reporter of the West Coast Times says :—: — " The old Five Mile diggings have certainly not improved in appearance since the date of my last visit, and an air of dulness pervades the place, strangely contrasting with the bustling activity which, during its palmer days, marked it as one of the best rushes in the country. On the Kanieri terrace there are sevejral sluicing parties at work, and getting excellent returns lor their labor. The two parties known as Gibson's and Key's still occupy the point overlooking the river, and by the aid of the sluice box aud 11030 turn over a great quantity of ground in the 'week, and succeed in making excellent ; wages. Once upon a time the above point \ — densely clothed with timber — towered thigh above the river, but the persevering labor of these men have woefully reduced !-it in size, and soon a heftp of debris will alone remain to mark the site of that which was once some of the richest ground ou the Kanieri. Proceeding up the terIrace nearly a quarter of a mile of ground, deserted save by a few stray parties, is \ traversed, aud then at a point where it reaches its greatest altitude several extended sluicing claims are reached, which pay good wages, and promise to last for many months. The first of these is held by Chiflins and party, who have leased an acre of ground, and work on the hydraulic system in the face nearly fifty feet high. In fact, they turn the whole terrace behind them, and every yard of dirt through the boxes, and as there is a little gold distributed all through the face, whilst a richer layer is found below, they succeed in making very high wages, their individual weekly earnings sometimes amounting to between L2O and L3O. Water for sluicing is obtained from the Pioneer race, a tuunel having been driven through the hill, through which a hose is Jaid th.it conveys the water from the race. We believe the claim will lastfor twelve months. Next to them Manson and party also hold an acre lease, and are 3anguine that a long spell of work is before them. They incurred great expense and trouble in opening the claim, having been compelled to drive a tunnel 200 feet, through which to lqad the water. At present the claim will pay about Ll per day each man. The adjoining claim is held by King and party, who have also leased an acre, and can make from LBto L 9 per week. They obtain water from the United Company's race, from which it is conveyed by a huge flume running along the face of the terrace, but at such a distance from it as to be out of the way of falls of earth and timber, which continually take place. A party of Germans are at work in the adjoining cutting, and are reported to hold one of the best claims on the terrace, their earnings being set down at Ll2 to Ll4per week. Montgomery and party came next, but, less fortunate than their neighbors, succeeded only in securing a piece of spare ground which, however, will not be worked for three or four months, and promises to return L 8 to LlO per week each man.

Beyond them a party arc tunnelling iv a quarter-acre section, far above the level on which the sluicers are working. They are working payable ground, which proves that either" the gold is not confined to a single layer of drift or, that the auriferous vein rises and dips along the terrace. The next section, which is an acre in extent, is held by M'Lean and party, who have intersected the terrace by a tunnel 300 feet in length, und laid down a line of sluiceboxes through it. They are working on the opposite side of the terrace to the other parties, and pass all the dirt through the tunnel, facing the ground out from back to front. This claim also pays fair wages. Beyond this, towards Tucker Flat, the terrace is no so rich, although several claims are in full work in that direction and paying moderate wages. ! The heavy wash, however, runs thinner j and breaks of in places, and a bed of dead is met with instead, but at the other end of the terrace, close to Tucker Flat, two or three parties have set in and struck good sluicing ground. It is therefore j probably that patches will be met with in the intervening space. The extent of workings now absolutely in hand are woefully circumscribed, being reduced on the old flat to a mere patch in and about the township, whilst the terrace presents quite a waste of deserted ground, so covered with heaps of debris that not a yard of the origiual surface can be seen. There is no disguising the fact — which even to a casual observer is only too- apparent — that the Kanieri has witnessed its best days, although I, for one, entertain the opinion that much gold yet remains to be extracted, but by quite a different system of work to any hitherto introduced there. In a month or two at the furthest those claims which are worked by small companies will be exhausted or rather worked out on the present level, and unless the main bottom js reached in the meantime, and proved payable, the majority of the shareholders will assuredly leave the district, to seek their fortune in later discovered fields. But even should this take place, the future of the Kanieri is far from unpromising, as it offers every inducement for the formation of large companies, who by leasing extensive areas of ground, and liberally expending capital on machinery, and preliminary works, would be certain, in the long run, to obtain very handsome interest on the original outlay. The idea of rapid " pile" making must, however, be discarded, and the speculation placed on a sound commercial basis, so that by adopt- j ing strict economy and careful calculation, and the introduction of the latest appli- ' ances for saving manual labor, the largest possible margin for profit may be secured. I trust by the commencement of the ensuing year to see half & dozen such companies formed on Commissioner's and Kanieri Flats, feeling confident that the ground is to be profitably worked in no other way, whilst' such an organised s} r stem, which would necessitate the employment of hired labor, would prove of incalculable benefit to the district, by attracting a populatiou which must prove permanent so long as the works in hand continued. I am of the opinion they would last for years, and the two flats alone would sup nor t, in good circumstances, from 200 to 300 men. There is certainly not that number of bona fide miners located on them at present ; and of those who are, a considf rable proportion are doing next to nothing." On Commissioner's Flat, the number of steam companies at work there is reduced to three, but two more are forming under the joint stock system, for the purpose of working a couple of three-acre sections bordering upon the river. We regret that this flat has deceived the many who trusted in it, as the returns are far from commensurate with the outlay expended in machinery alone, setting the large itemlabor — altogether on one side. Until within the last few days, the companies on Kanieri Flat were in full work, and during the greater part of the month the various claims yielded well. But the heavy flood of Monday last brought work once more to a standstill, and we understand that, pending the remodelling of the Star and Westland companies' pumping operations, will cease. Equally with Commissioner's Flat has this part of the Kanieri workings disappointed those who expended largely to develop it, and we fear that a very different system than any yet employed must .needs be introduced to make the ground pay. Woodstock, on the opposite bank of the river, has fallen into the hands of one or two mining companies, one of which — the Enterprise— has constructed a large head-race and flume, with the intention of sluicing the old ground. Below them, the Maori Reserve Gold Mining Company are making good headway, having cut between nine and ten chains of the tail-race which is to drain the ground. Steady progress was made during the month by the diggers in the Totara district, but operations are confined to the old workings, a,s no fresh discoveries rewarded the perseverance of the few parties who were out prospecting in the neighborhood. Sluicing is still followed with marked success, and the deep flats yielded some very handsome returns to a few favored parties. Still, the majority of claims which are situated on the deep sinkings will pay, and that highly, as soon as the several engines now in course of erection on Donoghue's and Ross Town Flats are in i working order and commence pumping. Until then the district must perforce continue somewhat dull. The mining news which reaches us from Okarita is of the most meagre character, and we have absolutely nothing to chronicle of the doings of miners in that district. In fact through the beach workings being exhausted, or next to it, the great majority of the diggers have left the place, over which a proportionate dullness reigns supreme. Our latest advices tell of a slight stir in the vicinity of the Haast river, and that men who will work can there make Ll per day with much ease. The old beaches still retain a few straggling parties, who, knowing the ground, aud by sticking closely to work, can 3et make fair wages. Considering the great drain upon its populatiou, Okarita yields well, as the monthly returns are still reckoned by thousands of ounces. A few parties are working further south, in the vicinity of Jackson's Bay, but we have no means of ascertaining what is the result of their labors.