THE NELSON GOLD FIELDS. (From the New Zealand Spectator.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIV, Issue 1021, 10 April 1857, Page 4

THE NELSON GOLD FIELDS. (From the New Zealand Spectator.)

{From By the Monsoon we received a supplement to the • Nelson Examiner,' containing the latest accounts that had been received from the Nelson gold fields, which we have reprinted in our present issue. The accounts are prwouraging, but we must wait for further results from a greater number of digger* than at present occupy the ground before we can be in a position to speak in a decided manner u to the relative value of these new gold fieldt—whether

they are likely in any degree to rival in richness the gold fields of the Australian colonies, or whether in the end they may prove like the gold district of Auckland, wh-.ch would not pay for the trouble of working. The first experimenis &' Nelson ce.uinly show that the yield » more abundant than at Auckland, bat of course much must depend on the fmthcr lalwuiß and discoveiie- of those now at W f-c Tho auction » a very important one, as affecting the fuluie of New Zealand, and the inteicstb o the different Proviuces. If a really valuable gold held should be discovered at Nelson, the wine result will undoubtedly follow that has taken place nt Sydney and Melbournef.ousands will flock to the spot, and a very gieat addition Will be mad.' to the population ot the colony particularly i» tlieneighbouiboodof Cooks Straits, and there is no doubt that the addition will be perm me.it. At Melbourne a great proportion of the diggers, as soon as they had made a•• pile,'* were glad to get away , here the cli natc and capabilities of the country will induce thed.ggcr to remain. These gold fields are hkely to affect the interests of thi*. province in two important particu ars, and it is right tney Should be carefully borne in mind. If thjse gold Held* should really prove very productive, the outlay m nniniff ation by our Piovincial Government will be very unfortunate, since there can be little doubt the attractions of a -old field so near at hand would induce many immigrants to go over and « try their luck ;" and it might be found in the end we had been ptoviding » stream ot im migration lor Nelbon at Uie expense ot this province. It is useless to say that a stiuigenl law has been parsed t.»« session to pievcut immigrants leaving b.-foie they have repaid their p usage ; if the inducement is sufficiently stioin,' to ffo to thp -old fields, numerous opportunities will ottei of which those desiiousof escapingw.il not fail to aval themselves, even though the Provincial Government hail passed an Austrian law, and had established an Austrian police to enforce it. So that in the lo in winch has just been raised, it may happen that a very heavy debt may he entailed on the Province from which we may derive little or no advantage. Then, the purchase from the natives of the Waste Lands in this Piovince assumes a fresh importance, when viewed in connection with these gold discoveries. That there is danger in delay is proverbal ; and we fear the land purchase question will afford an additional illustiation of the truth of the proverb. If any sudden rush of population to New Zealand takes place, those piovincos will be most benefited where the native title to the land is extinguished, while here the influx of population would operate to enhance the piice, as the natives. would assuredly ask more, and would be more unwilling to patt with the land under such circumstances ; and the uncertainty and difficulty of getting land will drive away many who, it may be, contemplated settling here, to other provinces where they may meet with greater facilities. _ We understand that Mi. Cooper has amved at Ahurin ; we hope that he will not,, be fettered with instructions which will make another refeience to Auckland inevitable, and render his mission fruitless ; and we trust, if possible, that the native title to the lands in this province will be extinguished in the couisc ot this year, so that in this respect we may be placed on the same footing with Uie other Southern Pioviiices.