THE COROMANDEL GOLDFIELDS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Kapanga, February 12.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2678, 15 February 1866, Page 5

THE COROMANDEL GOLDFIELDS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Kapanga, February 12.

If your readers will turn to a map of the province, and look at the peninsula the terminus of which is Cape Colville, and bounded ou the -west by the Gulf of Hauraki, they will see that portion of the country so oftea brought before their notice, as the gold-producing district of the Thames. In one of the inlets of the gulf, kuown as the harbour of Coromandel, flow two creeks, the Kapanga and the Waibau. The first is well known in connection with the mines now in operation, but the other only to a few of the older miners of Coromandel. As far back as the year 1858, quartz specimens bearing gold were found in the Pukewhau, Matawai, and other streams running into the Waihau; but it was not until 1861-62 that gold of any value was discovered. The excitement then created caused several of the leading men of Auckland, accompanied by bis Excellency the Governor, to vi»it the locality ; and from the character of the specimens shown, many were induced to thiuk favourably of Coromandel, then in its infancy. Besides those curious in gold matters, about two or three hundred miners rushed to Coromandel in consequence ] of the reports of rich quartz having been picked up in tha Driving Creek ; but as that locality was not yet open to the mining adventurer, tbey made the Waihau their camping place, and for some weeks scattered themselves over the country. A few were fortunate enough to pick out good gold. Mr. Turner for example, and Mr. Murphy. The majority, however, preferred the Driving Creek. From that time until the present, the Matawai has yielded gold to the industrious miner, but not in sufficient quantities to encourage him to proceed in his work. However, there have been a few who never left the locality, and now there is every reason to suppose that they will be repaid for their energy and peraeverauce. At an early hour this morning I left Mr. Glover's Royal Hotel, and pioceeded to the Tiki, about five miles distant, and entered the Matawai Creek, a libtle way above the saw mill. The first man I found at work was Murphy, the veteran miner of Coromandel. He was putting a hole down close to the track that leads over the hill to the creek— an out-of-the-way place, I thought — but I have no doubt bis reasons are good. A little way further on in the right bank of the creek, Doyle's party were driviug with the inteution of sluicing the wash dirt found ou the bottom. Proceeding up the creek, and above the falls, Mr. Beeson has a party prospecting. I remaiued during the time three dishes were washed, and in each of which two or three coarse specks of gold were found. Above the dam I met with the prospecting party, Messrs. Mclsaac and Gillies, through whose success those now working ou the Mat&wai have been induced to try their luck. From these men I elicited the following information :— Th*t, about four weeks back, they struck a leader a foot thick iv the left bank, at about 30 feet in from the creek, which they followed into the hill for 14 feet, meeting with gold-bearing quartz all the way. They then commenced sinking a shaft ; and, when they attain a depth of 40 feet, will drive until they cut the leader, when they will work along the reef. There are eight men on this claim, working night and day. I have seen the stone, and think well of it. The land is owned by a native named Kitahi, and Mr. William Moore. The Maori has always encouraged prospecting on his land ; and like his father Te Taniwha, who was the friend of Captain Cook, is on friendly terms with the Europeans. Mr. Moore has submitted his claim to the decision of the warden ; but, 1 believe, is expecting a ninth share of the gold taken out. Tomorrow I proceed to Mercury Bay, and hope to have to report further on the subject of gold, the development of which at the present time is so anxiously looked for in Auckland and the province.