THE AORERE DIGGINGS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 512, 30 September 1857, Page 4

THE AORERE DIGGINGS.

The ' Wellington Independent/ of Sept. oth, saj's: —

The reports from the diggings are favourable though the success of individuals varies considerably. All accounts agree that as the work is laborious, those who cannot do laborious work had better not attempt gold digging. The persons who have been for some time past arriving are a good deal disappointed in finding that all the claims are occupied and every inch of the workable district already taken up. Persons are flocking thither from all parts of the colony, and numerous prospecting parties are out with the hope of discovering new fields. The productiveness of the fa -oid country will no doubt be fully tested during the summer, and with these statements before them our reavers must judge for themselves as to whether the visit is likely to be profitable or not. Our advice to many of our personal friends has been to wait rather than throw up a permanent employment; and to others not so situated, we say go and" see for yourselves—if you are successful, come back and spend your gains amongst us ; if you are not, you will return to your occupation all the more satisfied with the prospects which are held out to your industry. *

Since the above was written, we have conversed with Mr. Harcus, several of whose truthful letters have already appeared in this journal, and who came passenger by the Wonga Wonga, intending we believe shortly to return. He states that the number at present on the diggings may be about 1000. Some are doing well, some are making a living, whilst others have a difficulty in obtaining enough to clear their way. The weather is good", and, as compared with Wellington, the morning and nights are more chilly. The port of Collinswood is progressing, and buildings are being rapidly erected. The road to Appoor s Flat, about"s miles from thegport, is tolerably passable; but from Appots Flat to Slate River, the country being inaccessible to drays, everthing has to be packed by bullocks. Provisions at Appoo's Flat, including £7 carriage from the port, were selling at—butter, cheese, and bacon, Is. Bd. per lb.; tea, 3s. fid.; sugar, Co.'s No. 2 pieces, 9d. ; potatoes, 17s. per cwt.; flour, 455. per 100 lb.; fresh mutton (scarce) Bd. to 9d. per lb.; moleskin trowsers and blue serge shirts, 10s. each ; lamb's wool and guernsey shirts, 7s. 6d. to Bs. each ; striped shirts, 4s. each ; diggers' tools can be procured at reasonable prices; American pegged and nailed strong boots, 365. per pair. No person should leave Wellington with the expectation ot being employed, as very few are wanted in that capacity. People on the nearest diggings to the port, generally speaking, may live for £1 per week, that is cooking for themselves.

Mr. Harcus has brought two samples of gold, one weighing 7 ounces, and the other about 6 ounces. The first sample is a very good one, being a selection from all the fields; and the pieces are large and nuggetty; the other is fine gold m scales. The diggers "are a"ll empkyed and in high spirits, and seem determined to go on, as the summer advances, which will give the fields a fair tna'A late number of the saint- paper has the following : — The following letter has been obligingly handed to us by Mr. Cemino, and we leave our readers to form theii own conclusions faom its perusal. Aye have endeavoured to give an honest account of the diggings, but have been assured, from several authentic quarters lately, that unless new fields are discovered, the success which accompanied the efforts of those who were fortunate enough to obtain claims, will not be realized by those who have followed,

Aorere Gold Fields, September 2, 1857. Dear Friend, —I acknowledge the receipt of your kind favour of the 24th ult. I immediately wrote an answer to send by the first opportunity, but on going down to the port this morning I saw some Wellington people, who told me that you were on your way to the diggings which caused me much surprise, to think that you were so easy to be led away by the reports going from the Gold Fields, as to leave your comfortable home. If you set any value on your life and property, you will remain at home at present. If there is anything favourable, I will let you know, for up to this time there is nothing worth mentioning. You will say that this is contradicting my first letter. When I wrote to you before, provisions were cheap, and there were very few diggers; and not only that, but there were great hopes of the Gold Fields paying better, as we were able to go into the country. Now those hopes are blighted! the country has been prospected and has turned out a regular failure so far. I do not say but there might be something found payable, but I do not believe that it will be here in this part of the Island. There is no scope here fur diggings. Were it not for very shame sake, I would have left this place long since; for I know the character of the country so well, that I am satisfied there is very little to do. I saw your friends, and they are doing a little; but a little will not do here:—A man ought to get a great deal, to put up with all the hardships he has to encounter. I have proved this by old diggers that come from the other colonies ; they would not remain here; they have all gone back; the labour was too much for all they got. If nothing better turns up, you may expect to. see me back to Wellington very soon. Yours truly, The Wonga Wonga had made Sdveral trips to Nelson and hack, calling twice at Wanganui. Her latest news was to the 14th inst. The ' Independent' of the 16th inst., says:—

A few passengers have returned by the Wonga Wonga ; a number more wished to come by her, but, not having the means to pay their passage, offered Captain Kennedy their prommissory notes to pay on arrival here. The Captain, however, being answerable for their passage money, did not like to take the responsibility upon himself. The storekeepers had; subscribed amongst themselves the sum of £30 for the purpose of trying deep sinking. The miners had commenced on Appoo's Flat, and having found several nuggets were sanguine of success. If deep sinking succeeds, then there will be plenty of work for the miners; but if not, the surfacing of the present fields being finished, there will be little to do; and less inducement for parties to go there. We ars informed by a gentleman lately returned from the gold fields, that there were a number of persons unemployed, who were most anxious to leave, but had not the means to pay their passage. Some were finding their way to Nelson, the Clara, Toliig, having taken twelve passengers there on her last trip. The Shepherdess brought nine, and the Wonga Wonga ten passengers on to this port.