MOKIHINUI.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 175, 21 February 1868, Page 2

MOKIHINUI.

(from a correspondent.) February 18. Since the date of my former communication, matters both mining and commercial!» are almost in the same afflicted state. Nothing new or of any importance having taken place, with the exception of a small patch on the South Terrace, discovered by Sandy Muir and party. They had already worked a considerable portion of the original lead, and on driving in towards the hill through a ridge of reef they came on a properly denned gutter (eight or nine feet deeper than the ground already worked), yielding gold to the amount of 7 to 8 ounces to the load. Since then several others have got on to the same line of gold. Should it run a few more claims then there will be little doubt but a second lead has been discovered, which will make good the claims of those who are fortunate enough to have it within their pegs. Apart from anything new, I may mention that the claims in full working order on the terraces, with a population of some 200 men, are all doing well, while a large proportion are making above the average wages. Some, I believe, are doing their £3O a week per man. One great draw back has been either too much or too little rain ; and now a good shower would be a God send to wash up their paddocks, as in a great many instances they are chock full. As the weather appears likely to change I think we will be able to show you that our gold returns will bear comparison with some of the other districts in accordance with our population.

In the up-river district there is nothing new to report; but as the weather has been favourable for some time I have no doubt something new will be struck, as there are still a small population on the reef and Tumble and Maori gullies, the former being the favorite in expectation. On the Terrace north of Mokihinui some few diggers still remain tunnelling in on the upper ledge of the hill getting a little gold as they go, but nothing payable as yet, but as it bears in a direct line with the workings on the South Terrace there is still a show, as the parties at work are of a most persevering nature. The last but not least of ouranineral resources, is our coals Having paid a special visit to the mines for the sole purpose of seeing and judging for myself, I must say that a finer speculation is not on the coast were a little capital thrown in the way of the fortunate proprietors.

On leaving Mokihinui I proceeded in one of the barges for bringing down the pi ecious fuel. We made a smart passage, the distance being two and a half miles, and as the river is navigable for light draughts, such as the Waipara, or small schooners, for one half the way, while a tramway could be made easily the other, I think they would be able to compete with any other part of the island, as such would render an easy and cheap delivery to those in the coal trade. As for the quality, they require only to be looked at to show that they are first-class. At the mines they have been working in the face, as yet, but naving sunk a new shaft some 100 feet from the face will enable them to work in all weathers ; as it is, in floods they are put out, the water rising and flowing into the

drive at the time they most require it for conveying it down to the wharf, aa there are several shallow bars 'on the upper portion of the river. As regards the mercantile affairs of the place, I may say they are in the last stage, with the exception of Stitt Brothers, who are doing a good trade, and have become the Rothschild's of the place, as no others are capable of buying any of the metal. As for our shipping, we have little or nothing, with the exception of the Waipara and the Mary. There is little or nothing doing as the former takes more away than she brings hero ; however she may take a turn the other way soon, as our harbor is good. Ido not see why we should not have occasional visits from some of the other fry in the trade. In my next I hope to give you a far better account of Moldhinui.