CALEDONIAN.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 343, 5 September 1868, Page 7

CALEDONIAN.

(from otjr owx correspondent.) Mining matters at the Caledonian appear to be steadily improving. Tourvat and party have struck the new lead of gold at the Buller side of the terrace, which I mentioned Denovan and party came on. The other parties who have set in to work on this side of the Caledonian will have to tunnel between three and four hundred feet before they can reach the lead. A tramway is being constructed which will supply the various claims with timber.

On German Terrace new ground has been opened and several claims pegged off on the south side of the terrace. A lower run of gold has been struck. Mr Barrie is bringing round water from his race to supply some claims at this end. On Giles' Terrace Evans and party are making active preparations for washing, while they at the same time are working for the lead of gold struck by Perry and party. At Deadman's Creek Terrace Simon and party's claim has much improved, and the wash dirt is of a most remunerative class. A few parties farther north are also on payable gold. M'Farlane and party have not as yet come on the run of gold, but are in hourly expectation of doing so. On Poverty Terrace only three claims are at work. The gold here has been found to be patchy and principally on the bottom. The lead has been lost in several instances, and those parties who have abandoned their claims were unable to trace the run. However, it is not improbable that this lead of gold will be traced up the

banks of the Buller, as in description it is exactly the same, b-*:iig coarse and scaly and quite different from the Caledonian or any other gold found in that district. At Ballarat Terrace the different claims arc doing well. The late rain will be of advantage to the diggings in the Caledonian district, as the workings are all situated on high ground, and a constant supply of water is indispensable. The portions of the Caledoniau track which were corduroyed by the late contractor, have beeu left in the same state, no gravel has been placed over the timber, which is now becoming cut up by horses and also very dangerous for them ; if those parts of the track had been gravelled they would have been in a condition to last for a long time and made in fact the very best part of the road.

A track of some kind is much needed to Giles' Terrace, which is fast becoming a township, and doubtless the importance of the place will entitle it to the consideration of the district engineer.