THE NORTHERN TERRACES.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 702, 25 August 1870, Page 2

THE NORTHERN TERRACES.

fFEOII A CORRESPONDENT.) Mining matters on Giles Terrace are gradually drawing to a close, as several claims have been worked out recently, and the remainder, it is reported, will not last much longer. Sutherland's, Cowan's, and Patrick's parties, and some others are still working here with varying results. There have been several tailing dams erected in the Orawaiti, some of which are paying fairly. Some parties are engaged prospecting on the pakihi directly below Giles Terrace, one of whom (M'Kenzio and party) succeeded in striking gold last week. After sinking two shafts, 60 and 150 feet respectively, without success, they obtained about one foot of washdirt with a fair prospect, and bottomed on boulders, in a third shaft sunk between the two former ones at a depth of 70 feet. This party intend to sink a well hole and drive to seaward, as they are of opinion the wash struck is the upper side of a lead. It is likely Addison's Mat lead will bo traced through this pakihi for a considerable distance northward, as it is about the same level, and a similar formation of country. On Rochfort Terrace the claims are all in full working order, and paying very well. A share in Mees and party's claim sold for £120,1 am informed, a fortnight ago. On Hatter's, M'Master and party are ground-sluicing, and are profitably employed on the old workings. Byrne and party have been stripping the surface from their claim with water, and now have a paddock of about 100 feet ready for washing. The couutry from Deadman's to Eairdown is in a shocking condition. I know not whether the Government or the District Engineer is to blame ; some of the staff should have to travel it on foot a few trips with a swag to appreciate it. The same may be said of the road to Kochfort, Hatter's, aud Christmas terraces, which have been producing gold for more than two years, and are likely to do so as much longer ; the route is through mud and swamp to the knees for a mile, and as there is every probability of an increase of population northward, it is high time the Government were up aud doing something in the shape of extension and improvement of tracks in tins vicinity. I may safely assert, from my own experience of more than nineteen years on goldfields, both north and south of the Equator, that I have not seen so much work dono by the same number of men in the same space of time, as has been accomplished in the Builer District, and, as a matter of course, miners expect to be assisted at least by having tracks cut, by means of which they may convey provisions, &c.

Ou Eairdown Terrace, O'Shannessy and party are erecting substantial huts, prior to their commencing prospecting the terrace. They intend to drive a tunnel from a low level as far as they can get with good air, and then rise on different levels to prospect. On Pairdown Flat, Blackmore and party have finished their shaft after a good deal of difficulty with the water; they have erected a powerful waterwheel, and intend driving about 200 feet to the supposed lead. Hurst and party have applied for a lease adjoining Blackmore ; M'Crea and party are working ground by a tunnel, with what results I am unable to ascertain. North of the above there are four parties prospecting by tunnelling. Smith and party have been altering their washing plant, and with their present facilities for ground-sluicing are likely to procure good returns. From Smith's northward there is some line looking country that has never been prospected, but which very probably will receive attention during the ensuing summer if a track is opened.