Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/200

156 maintaining communication and obtaining supplies; and offering already large inducements to further research, this extensive and interesting territory deserves to be explored, not only with a view to the discovery of gold, but with a view to determining what other minerals may exist, and how much there is to encourage enterprise and settlement. Until something is done in this direction, it is to be feared that the territory referred to will continue to appear on the map as the one piece of country, though the most promising, yet the most thinly populated and insufficiently known. This much may be again repeated before leaving the southern parts of Westland, that there is great need for organising a thorough system of superficial and geological exploration, as no part of the Colony gives greater promise of containing hidden wealth in abundance.

But let us direct our steps northwards, and foremost on the fields stands the Ross United Gold-Mining Company, holding two hundred acres of ground in the Totara district, with a capital of £150,000. This company is managed by a local directory, of which Mr Bonar is chairman; Mr Gibson, manager; and Mr Malfroy, mining manager. A considerable proportion of the capital of this company has been subscribed in London. This company’s ground comprises the large area formerly worked and drained at great expense by steam power to the depth of fully 300 ft, at which level very rich gold was obtained. In order to cope with the water, the company have completed a tunnel, two miles in length, which drains the flat to a depth of 100 ft. At this level they have erected powerful hydraulic machinery, which enables them to drain the lower levels at a nominal cost, their main shaft being now sunk 392 ft. Powerful hydraulic elevating machinery has also been constructed to work the surface down to the level of the drainage tunnel, which raises from 2000 to 4000 yds. per diem. The elevating machinery is erected upon ground that has been worked by parties of miners, by means of inclined tramways, for years, with payable results. Under the improved system of working, there can be little doubt that the shareholders in this company will shortly reap a rich reward for their enterprise.

The Prince of Wales Company is the next in point of importance in this district, with a capital of £30,000. It is managed in a similar way, and is situated about half a mile from the southern boundary of the Ross Company, at a place called Donoghues. Here, again, a drainage tunnel has been brought up at a low level, and elevating machinery has proved to be a success, and as soon as the water-works are completed, will be kept in constant operation, and, judging by previous experience of the ground, with very profitable results.

The Mont D’Or Gold-Mining and Water-Race Company, Ross. Capital £12,000, in 12,000 £1 shares. Lease, area fifty acres; average out-turn of gold, 150 ozs. per month; dividend averaging 6s. per share a year. The first lease was taken up by two miners, C. Davey and J. R. Leger, who, having thoroughly prospected the range, and being satisfied the ground would pay if worked on a large scale, applied for certain water-rights, and commenced operations. Owing to the scanty supply of water obtainable, it was found necessary to employ a great deal of labour, and water was purchased from