MOKIHINUI.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1211, 15 September 1874, Page 4

MOKIHINUI.

[fkom oun own cokkespondent.] Work in the Halcyon claim having been suspended since the first of last month until arrangements were made for erection of machineiy, several parties have-of- late -visited the mine with a 'view of prospecting a.id ascertaining its worth and richuess before tendering. They speak in the most glowing terms of its value. The tenders called were to close a week ago, but at the expiration of the time specified it was found that some of the intending tenderers had not visited the miue, and consequently an extension of tune was granted. ■ Messrs J. Allen and IL. Graham, of the late firm of Graham and Malfroy have since visited the mine. On arriving at the claim they first carefully examined the stone in the paddock and :broke up a quantity to test \ta value. The indications of gold were : satisfactory*- The re;ef was next prospected, and out of two buckets full of quartz- taken pptniscously from the face of the Northern drive—now in a distances.©f,2o7 feet —they got 8 lbs. of good specimens.. Several other portions of flie reef were picked down, and when pounded up and panned off showed a very good prospect, although the stone -before- the pounding process gave little outward indication of go'ld. One piece about half a pound, and in which only two specs of gold were visible, when crushed and washed yielded fully Li dwts. The reef in the south drive was next v tested and some of the stone was broken down and on being pulverised • and washed showed payable prospects of I fine gold. The two shafts were next examined, in which the reef looked, well, but owing to the liiuited ..time at their disposal, the party could not attempt any effective prospecting. The reef ou the surface of the range above the north drive was inspected, and Messrs Graham and Allen expressed themselves thoroughly satisfied -with the prospects of the mine, and intend to tender for the supply of the necessary plant. From the well known . enterprising character of these gentlemen, should they be the successful tenderers, there is no doubt they will push the work on vigorously, and in a manner to give satisfaction to all parties concerned.

The party next visited Xos. 1 and 2 North in Maori Creek. The reef in the drive of No. 1 North is a well defined body of stone, about three feet average thickness. The reef is visible crossing the bed of the creek, about 30 feet from the mouth of the drive. Across the creek, No. 2 North was next visited. The reef in this claim looks splendid, and bids fair to be the best claim in the locality. The party next examined the machine site on No. 2 Company's ground, and were satisfied that it was a first rate positiDii and would suit the purpose well. The site is situated close to the reef in Maori Creek, and has a good solid rock foundation. No. 3 North. —The reef in this claim is three feet thick on the surface, and is well defined. Gold has been found in this reef in payable quantities. As showing the difficulties cf travel, I may mention that Mr Allen got his arm badly sprained while loweriog himself down over one of the many crags that are to be met with on the track, and Mr Graham got his leg hurt when getting over a stump. The stump happened to be rotten, and as soui as Mr Graham trod upon it it broke, and went down between two roots, and had he not caught hold of the trunk his leg would certainly have been broken. The Provincial Government deserve condemnation for neglecting the proper formation of this track so long, to the hind ranee of all progress in the opening up of the district.