GREAT NORTH LEAD.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 512, 3 June 1869, Page 3

GREAT NORTH LEAD.

(FKOil OTTR OWTST COHTIESPO^DENT.) On Caledonian Terrace several claims have been lately worked out, and a few business places have been closed, but the claims which are now being worked will mostly last for a year or more, and are averaging good returns. The heavy rain on the night of Thursday last caused some damage to several tailing claims, carrying away boxes, and filling the dams with large boulders and other debris. The All Nations party are constructing a tramway, nearly half a mile long, from their claim into the bush higher up, and Walker and party have also constructed one to facilitate their means of obtaining timber. On German Terrace, several parties have lately struck a better lead of gold, the claim of Barrie and party being about the best. There is, I believe, a party who contemplate bringing a timber tramway along this terrace shortly. A good track is badly wanted along this terrace from tho Caledonian township to Giles Terrace. There are miners travelling along between these parts every day, and the road is in a frightful condition. A track has been cleared for a part of the way to Giles Terrace, along the Orawaiti creek, but it is not gravelled, and is knee-deep in mud nearly the whole way It is, indeed, scandalous the manner in which this district is neglected with regard to tracks. With the exception of the old track te Caledonian Terrace, there is no piece of toad in the whole district that is even passable.

The Giles Terrace township was in danger of being washed away after the thunderstorm of Thursday. The creek rose over the flat on which it is situated, but fortunately it fell as quickly, without doing much damage. The claims here are giving very satisfactory returns, and if work could he carried on without so much litigation, it would be more beneficial to all concerned. The parties tunnelling from the southward face of the terrace have not yet Btruck gold, hut are still persevering, and are sanguine of success, as the ad{"oining claims from the south face tare very good wash-dirt. On Rochfort Terrace there are several parties tunnelling, one claim being over thirteen hundred feet from tke face, and another twelve hundred feet. The indomitable perseverance and energy which have characterised those employed on this terrace are truly praiseworthy, and I trust they will shortly meet with the reward they merit. There are two more tunnels being started on Rochfort Terrace—one on a level with the gold lately struck on Northeast Terrace by Toung and party; the other for the Giles Terrace lead.

On Hatter's, M'Alister and party and Cook and party are putting in new tunnels, to work their ground more conveniently. The other claims are washing and obtaining excellent returns.

t On Christmas prospecting w being vigorously pushed on. The

parties engaged are tracing the lead gradually on to the northward. I believe there has also been a party formed to test the ground beneath Hatter's township, which is as likely looking a terrace as any on the lead.