THE KARAKA GOLDFIELD.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3132, 31 July 1867, Page 3

THE KARAKA GOLDFIELD.

The above is, we believe, to be the official, and probably will become the popular, title of the goldfield. Kauaeranga is the name of the district. The Karaka Creek divides the block almost in the centre, and has bean selected as the fittest name. The excitement in town yesterday, though the weather was bad enough to put a damper on anything, had rather increased than diminished. We hope that all who are inclined to be carriad away by the ferment will consider the cautions given by Dr. Pollen and Mr. Mackay, the former of whom most pointedly stated that the Government did not encourage any man to go down.

THE OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION. The following Gazette was issued yesterday evening : — PROCLAMATION. By Daniel Pollen, Esquire, Deputy-Superin-tendent of the province of Auckland, in the colony of New Zealand. Whereas by an Act of the General Asiembly of New Zealand, intituled the Goldfields Acb, 1866, it is enacted that it shall be for the Governor from time to time, by proclamation, to constitute and appoint any portion of the colony to be a goldfield ; and whereas, under the provisions of the said Act, the powers of the Governor have been duly delegated to the Superintendent of the province of Auckland : now therefore, in pursuance of the said power, authority, and delegation, I do hereby constitute and appoint all that block of land hereinafter described to be a goldfield under the provisions of the said Act ; that is to sayAll that block of land commencing on the sea coast at the mouth of the,river Kauaerangaj thence by that river to the junction of the Kakaramata stream ; thence by that stream to its source on the ridge of the hills ; thence alone; the said ridge to the sources of the Hape, Karaka, Waiotahi, Moanataiari, and Kuranui stream, turning thence down the Kuranui stream to the sea coast ; thence by the sea coast to -the mouth of^he-^omaijrrta^itrtemi]' thence inland to the base <of tfe 'fculfg J ,;thtac| l crossing the Waiotahi stream, 1 and vy tbVbub'or the hills to the Parareka spur ; thence asceridi»g3«tfsaid spur to Waiowbarilu ; thence dcsc t endlng*,spn? to the Karaka stream ; thence by that stream to the' sea coast ; thence by the sea coast to the point of commencement. . . Given under my hand at Auckland, this tnirtieta day of July, in the year of our Lord O»e thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven. Daniel Pollen, Deputy Superintendent. Mr. Commissioner Mackay leaves town this morning for Kauaeranga, and, it is expected, will begin the issue of miners' rights as soon as he reaches.

THE PLACE AND THE WOKK. From an experienced miner, and one who is thoroughly acquainted with the ground of the Karaka goldfield, we have received the following :— The Karaka, Hape, and Waiotahi creeks run over arfttten granite hottom,with an iron sandstone rubble on the top, the depth of which varies from three to ten feet, and which can be put through a Californian torn, or sluice-box ; on* man taking down the bank, another feeding the machine, with another working the rubble whilst it passes through. Any miner will know the process ; but as there are numbers of men in Auckland now who have never been on a goldfield, and who would find a living in Kauaeranga, it should be known that parties of four persons would earn more when divided amongst themselves than two could. From 20 to 30 loads could be put through in ten hours. It will also have to be borne in mind that when the 'bottom is taken out of the box the application of quicksilver will be necessary to separate the gold, which is very light, from the iron-sand. These details are necessary to the saving of time ; because in such a limited field as Kauaeranga the experienced miner would do three or four times the work that a man unaccustomed to gold-digging could do. Should the prospector try the flat, he will meet with difficulties, only to be overcome by the energy which is always derived from the hope of coming upon a deposit of gold in the wash-dirt on the bottom. As yet the bottom has not been reached, but should any person be successful in doing so, and discover payable gold, the flat extending from the base of the ranges to the shores of the gulf would give employment to some thousands of men, whereas the creeks would employ only two hundred at the most. At present the Karaka diggings may only be considered as paying the wages that would be given if the men were employed in trade. The information received from the prospectors shows ldwt.to the load. Twenty-four loads during each day in one week would give a party of four, calculating the value of the gold to be £3 per oz., £4 per man. It is not to be imagined that the creeks would produce this al 3 through : each party must take their chance, and the more experienced will know where to take up a claim. Until such'time as the level land is known to be payable, the banks of-the creeks will be so far remunerative as to pay expenses.

THE VESSELS FOE THE KAKAKA. None of the vessels advertised to sail for the Karaka yesterday have yet left, the weather having been unfavourable. An opinion has also prevailed that it would be better not tq go till Mr. Mackay was on the ground. The following is a complete list of the vessels on the berth : The steamers • Tauranga and ' Enterprise No. 2/ and the cutters ' Cornstalk,' 'Dusty Miller,' 'Bessy,' 'Otahuhu,' 'Bluebell,'and ' Eangatira.' ,