“The Press” In 1864

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30426, 28 April 1964, Page 12

“The Press” In 1864

April 28.. . (From Our Special ' Correspondent) Nelson, Wednesday Morning. 1 returned to Nelson last evening. The news 1 bring from the diggings is still good. No one is returning with a view to leaving them —that is, no digger is returning. Of this 1 will, however, speak presently. In those claims where they have worked with “toms?’ splendid yields are got I could name to you several parties who are doing remarkably well but of what use would that be. when 1 can use an expression, in the truth of which I sincerely believe, that no one who has really tried for, has failed to obtain gold in payable quantities. Leech’s party of four. I may state, got two pounds weight in three days, (as may be as-

certained by a letter received from him by friends in town; another person sold to a Mr Young the lower end of his claim for £20): Mr Hodson purchased for £1 what was the ' result of the washing of a dishful of stuff; the Maori party have their gold in a pretty considerable quantity tied up in the leg of a pair of trousers .’. -.1 hope I have not conveyed to your readers any idea that 1 am over sanguine, any suspicion that I possess the faintest desire to picture this goldfield in other • than its natural colours. No one more lastingly regret the circulation of a wrong impression of them, than I should. I feel, ay, 1 feel to its fullest extent, the enormous responsibility that would rest on you and me, if 1 reported aught but that which 1 am convinced is strictly true. There may be many successful dig-

gers whose doings 1 shall never report, but it will be simply because 1 have hot seen, from indubitable evidence, the facts which would make me a believer.

There are now on the diggings, 9nd on their way to them, 700 people 1. should think, there are those who say 900, these latter figures may be the more correct, still I say 700.

It has been decided that diggers’ claims shall be twenty feet by thirty feet, and that holders of claims may be absent from them for three days at a time. A few words of caution. Let me beg of the aged, the lame, the drunkard, to remain, at home. The goldfield is no place for such as they. Those who know aught of a digger’slife must know full well that it is one which requires activity, the power of endurance, and sobriety.