THE NEW GOLD DISTRICT.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3222, 13 November 1867, Page 3

THE NEW GOLD DISTRICT.

The following communcation was left at our office yesterday by a recently-returned digger from the newly-opened gold district to the north-east of Kauwaeranga :— " Tapu creek. Gentlemen,— l beg to inform you that I and my mates have been prospecting at this creek, as we were told there was gold to be got for the trouble of looking for it. After two days' labour we found gold, and on the third day we despatched two men to town with a specimen for Mr. Copland. During their absence, five Maoris came down and carried me into the bush. They asked me for gold, but I told them 1 had none. They then told me to leave immediately, and I ran to find Harris, my remaining mate. I met him on the opposite point of tapu ground, and he asked me if I had saved his watch. I told him I had as much as I could do to save my life, for the Maoris had stripped me. The chief threatened to shoot any man he found on tapu ground. Mr. Mackay took down a party in his boat about a week ago, on the pretence of putting up sign-boards where the ground was tapu, instead of which I can prove that they are prospecting. I was forced to come to town naked, as the whole of my things were burnt. There were three men the other day driven back from Manaia to Shortland by the Maorii with spears ; but the diggers are determined to try again as soon as their mates come from the other side."

At an crening party gi»en by a lady, her hu«band was standing in a yery forlorn condition, leaning against the chimney-pwoe, when a gentleman coming up to him Mid, "Sir, m neither of u> it ac hwe, I think w» had better go hoxne."