WAKAMARINA GOLD FIELDS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 178, 10 June 1864, Page 3

WAKAMARINA GOLD FIELDS.

Wo are again compelled, by want of space, to defer the insertion of our Special correspondent’s letter, which, however, contains little additional' information from this gold-field. The weather had been far more favourable, and the diggers at Canvass Town were busily employed putting up tents, &c., in every direction. iMr. Skeet, the surveyor, had arrived, and was causing considerable dismay by his preparations for laying out (ho township, as several o f the principal stores and tents are situated on the main road, and will, consequently, have to ba moved back towards the

bush, in order to allow sufficient space for the largely increased amount of traffic. A population of fromj2,ooo to 2500 miners are now located on the Wakamarina and its tributaries, and though many of these will, doubtless, take their departure before the winter sets in, a considerable majority have expressed their determination to remain, in the belief that the ground will prove very rich in the spring. Almost all Otago diggers who have obtained claims are doing well, while most of those who have travelled from Picton stale that they were much struck with the resemblance of the country to other gold-fields. Various reports of individual successes have readied us; amongst others we are informed on good authority, that two men are known, last week, .to have brought’ down to Blenheim as much as 20lbs. weight of gold each, which they conveyed thither by night. Dr. Hector, the Provincial Geologist of'Otago, has been visiting the Wakamarina with a view to further the purposes of the New Zealand Exhibition, and has, vve understand, expressed a decided opinion favourable to the future prospects of the gold-field. Mr. Inspector Morton has arrived with, we believe, eight members of the Otago Mounted Police, for whose use horses are being purchased ; he purposes visiting Nelson shortly with a view to induce a joint action between the Governments of Nelson and Marlborough, for the organization of a permanent police force. Havelock is progressing in the most marvellous manner, the chief street being a mile and a-half long, with shops on either side, and not a few in its centre. Stores of a very substantial character are rising in every direction ; tenders are out for the erection of buildings for the Union Bank, and among the most prominent objects now to be seen are Mr. Levien’s store, with another, the erection alone of which cost the proprietors £l5O and a hotel which would vie in size with any of the Nelson hostelries. The streets present a very animated appearance during the clay time, and at night file watchmen patrol the township, calling the hours. The first number of the Havelock Mail , a triweekly paper, is to make its appearance this morning, and the Marlborough Press will also henceforth be printed thrice a week. During the past week 771 passengers had arsived at Picton, whilst 201 had taken their departure.—Examiner, May 31.

A gentleman who arrived last evening from AVakamarina, has informed us that at length there are justifiable hopes that the diggings on the banks of that river will be extended. In placng that information before our readers, we would suggest to those who follow the calling of goldseekers, that they should well consider whether upon one such proof of the auriferous nature of the banks, they would be justified in at once rushing hence to the AVakamarina. It appears that one party, who were what is called “ paddoeking” at the foot of a spur leading to the river above the Big Creek, on bottoming their hole, took out sixty ounces of gold. On this news reaching the township, our informnant says that all the diggers there resident had at once started np the river. Such news is of course most cheering, but we would again suggest to the diggers now in Kelson the expedience of awaiting further information. A gentleman connected with our establishment is expected here to-morrow, and from him we hope to receive fuller particulars respecting this last rush, as also of that which is said to have taken place to a spot near Air. Cross’s run in the AVairau. — Hid, June 1.