The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24,1862.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1056, 24 December 1862, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24,1862.

' Times ' Office, Dec. 24, v 2 o'clock a.m. The Storm Bird just arrived from Dunedin; no news of the English mail. The Omeo arrived from Melbourne ; no news of importance.

No doubt there is gold in the bed of the Taramakau. The question now to be determined is whether a paying gold field has been discovered on that river. That there was gold in the neighbourhood has been known for some time ; it was reported that thp Maories who accompanied Mr. Leonard Harper on his trip to the West Coast three or four years ago brought back specimens of gold with them. The specimens now lodged in the Provincial Secretary's Office are said to resemble those obtained on the Grey and Buller Rivers; and it now appears probable that the geological strata in which gold is found extend in a. Bouth-westerly direction from Massacre Bay along the west coast of this province, and that they do not strike inland until they approach the boundaries of Otago. However this may be, the changed formation is apparent instantly on crossing the saddle that divides the watershed between Lake Sumner and the Taramakau; while as yet no discovery of gold in paying quantities has been made on the eastern slopes of the snow-clad ranges within this province. It is not yet known what route the chain of auriferous formation takes between the Taramakau and the Lindis, and it is possible that gold fields may yet be found in the southern part of this province, easily accessible from the East Coast. But in any case we may look on the Taramakau gold field (if it proves to be a gold field) as a West Coast field, unconnected for all practical purposes with any future gold fields that may be discovered east of the snowy ranges.

In estimating the value of the discovery, if it should turn out to be ft profitable field for individual labour, we must consider the position of the Taramakau valley in relation to the settled districts on the East Coast. From all that has been heard of the prospects of diggers on the Buller and on the Grey, it does not appear that they are at all behind those of diggers on any other gold field so far as the average yield of gold goes. But the great drawback felt in those locali-

ties hitherto has been the want of communication with the rest of the world. It was but lately that we heard of an absolute famine among the gold diggers on the Buller, and of the prompt action of the Nelson Government and Chamber of Commerce in sending a steamer with provisions to their relief. As it was, the pepple who had ventured to establish themselves on these out-of-the-way gold fields were reduced to the last extremity before help came. Owing to the want of regular communication, and the difficulty of access by sea on the west coast, the cost of provisions is very high, and must remain so, until the population is sufficient to encourage the establishment of proper depots.

It may be assumed that all diggings on the west cost will be " summer " diggings. In winter the rain is so heavy and so continuous on that wild coast that no man could stand the exposure long. Now the great difference as to position between the Buller and the Taramakau is this, that there is comparatively easy access from the latter river to the east coast during the summer months, at which reason the diggers need be under no apprehension of being cut oft* from communication with the outer world. Our readers are probably aware that for a great portion of the distance from Christchurch there is a good road in existence towards Lake Sumner, and that a vote was taken during last session of the council for improvements on the Weka Pass, and for a bridle path to the west coast. If any number of gold diggers are attracted to the Manuakau, this road might soon be completed, and the diggings brought quite as near to Christchurch as the Dunstan diggings are to Dunedin. We believe that a much shorter route than the one here indicated is to be found, and if inducement offered could soon be made practicable; but at any rate there is no doubt that there will soon be a road to the west coast gold fields within this province.

We have hitherto forborne to dwell much upon the reported discoveries of gold in different parts of the province, because although small specimens have be<Sn found scattered in many places, yet the general character of the neighbourhood in which they were picked up was not such as to warrant the expectations of a paying gold field. Nor can we, in the present instance; be sure that all the conditions of a paying gold field are fulfilled in the Taramakau district. But we are satisfied, from all we can hear, that there is plenty of gold there and that it is. in a more immediately available position than any yet discovered on the West Coast.

We hope that should the expectations now raised prove well founded, the Provincial Government will be prepared as soon as necessary to take the proper steps for constituting and governing a gold field, for establishing an escort and keeping communication open by land. Whether these diggings turn out permanent or not, they will probably be the means of turning attention to any country available for settlement on the west coast of the province. And certainly search cannot be made for gold, without our hearing more of the Grey coal mines.