WHANGAREL-GOLD-PROSPECTING. FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3428, 11 July 1868, Page 3

WHANGAREL-GOLD-PROSPECTING. FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

It really is strange that, in a pUoe so far advanced as WhaDgarei, no one troubles himself to chroniole the passing events in it;. It may be that we do not oonsider them worth recording, but in these dull times it is refreshing to hear of auy sign of progress in the different districts, and therefore, though not in any way afflicted with "cacoethes scribendi," I have taken upon myself the task of contributing something to the columns of your useful journal. Prospecting for gold has been the order of the day for some time past, several enterprising individuals having spent much time in search of the precious metal, but without success, The latest news is that the genuine article has been found on a settler's farm a short distance from the village. Time will prove whether we are to have a goldfield or not- > A few practical diggers would soon settle the question, but at present there is no inducement for them to come and prospect. Though the depression in business seems to be greater now than ever we have felt it, still there is some steady improvement going on ; several houses have been built, more grass laid down, and last, though not least, a good deal of wheat has been sown. One of the settlers, who deserves much credit for his enterprise, has obtained an excellent siteby the side of one of the principal roads in the district, and has commenced operations preparatory to the erection of a flour mill, which will probably be in full working order soon after the harvest. More is being done at the mines now than has been done for months past ; they have just passed a bitch in the seam, and the coal ia of a still better quality. The ketch • Isabella ' left this place yesterday for the Thames, with 90 tons coal. A new seam of coal has lately been found in the Whareora district, which is said to be of first-rate quality. July 7. A fatal accident occurred on board the { Argo ' on her arrival at Whangarei Heads. One of the crew, a Swede, named Adolphus Beckman, was kuocked overboard by the stoyaail, and, although immediately picked up and every exertion üßed to restore circulation, it was without success. An inquest was held on the body on Tuesday afternoon, aud a verdiot returned of "Died through a fit of apoplexy caused by the blow of the staysail, and sudden immersion into the water." The deceased was 40 yeara of age. The body was buried to-day.