INANGAHUA.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 723, 13 October 1870, Page 2

INANGAHUA.

(FROM OVS, OWS COEKESroJfDEffT.) Saturday. The news from this district is of an encouraging nature; the reef at Murray's Creek having been struck in close proximity to the Cement Co's.' claim. This has caused some stir, and the ground has heen pegged out for a considerable distance along the supposed line of reef. A number of the claims are, however, on ground which has been applied for under the Gold Mining Leasing Eegulations, and consequently will not be further tested until the application is refused or granted. Great inconvenience has occurred in conaequence of the dilatory manner in which the application has been treated by the Government. When

an application for a lease is made and the Jnecessary deposit paid it seems absolutely nocessary—at any rate on the Nelson South-West Goldfields—that the ground should remain locked up for several months before it is even purveyed, and when that is finally done it takes several months more until the decision of the Superintendent is made known, and the applicants are allowed to work ; or, in the event of refusal, the ground thrown open for occupation. This is very unfair to the miner, as men may have to wait months before being able to take up ground, dealt with in this manner.

There can be no doubt that, unless leases are granted or claims amalgamated in strong parties, the ground in this portion of the district can never be worked to advantage. Thev Murray Creek Company are preparing everything necessary for the erection of their machinery—erecting water-wheel, clearing machine site, &c. The contract for the conveyance of the machinery has been let at £45 per ton, and, as the distance it has to be packed (from the Junction to Murray's) is only 32 miles, the contractor will make a very good thing of it. Cooney and party are engaged in getting out stone, a ton of which thev intend sending to Melbourne for r a trial crushing.

Anderson and party are still at work with their tunnel, and are now in above 140 feet, and expect to go about 90 feet further before striking the reef. The tunnel is through hard limestone and slate, and for many months has cost £5 per foot. Butler and party have for some time past been engaged tunnelling, but finding last week that they were driving away from the reef, knocked off work and have done nothing since. Hunter and party are sinking a shaft and expect to strike the reef at about 100 feet.

Westfield and party are steadily at work in tlieir tunnel and expect to go about 90 feet further before touching the reef.

In consequence of the late rains the alluvial workings at Murray's and the surrounding creeks and gullies are again in full work, and all seem satisfied with their returns, which may be said to run from £3 to £2O per week, so long as they enjoy the advantage of a full water-supply.