THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3188, 4 October 1867, Page 4

THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

To the Editor of th« Daily Souihxkk Ckois. Sib, — There seems to be a slight mistake general among those who have not inspected the Thames goldfield, as to its real nature, and regarding the news regularly receired thence. I should very well like to help to correct it. Latest news is that there are nine promising claims, and that two or three of these are yielding a large proportion of gold. Well, there being about six men to a claim, nine times six will so give us fifty-four men having a good chance. About eighteen of these claimants have realised substantial gold, in which some extra shareholders have interest. Now, if there be 954 prospectors there, what about the trifling odd number of 900 ? Ah ! but these are not the right men in right place. Oh! the fact is, the few lottery prizes there have been mostly drawn by unlikely men. Many experienced industrious^ men have got nothing, as ntu, for many weeks' hard work. And nearly every accessible hill or mountain spur is dotted with yacated holes,

Were the two or three lucky claims to yield exceedingly well, the product would, of course, be limited to the immediate claimants and their backers. If £500 worth was brought up by steamer to-day, it will not be, as' many seem to assume, £2 each for 250 men for a week s good work, but something altogether different. And, moreover, I should suppose that to dig a mountain half down with hired labour must be a work that entails expense— that the product will not all be profit. Still I believe some claims will prove profitable; and no doubt many have left the goldfield with the thought of probably revisiting it. There is * very strong hope even where belief is weak. , I have approved your effort to oheok a hasty rush. Were we to he» that two"merchant 3 at Wellington had latefy netted £80,000 per annum, it would be no great argument for a rush of people to that locality. If the people would only ascertain and look *t facts— and facts should never wider any circumstances be shunned — a rash rush would ,be obviated. Coromandel registered and published many claims, but only one is left ; and the others, while they lasted.'yielded but a little gross, and nothing net. The Thames goldfield is the same range of hills continued.— I am, &c, September 30, 1867. A Witness.