WEST COAST GOLD-FIELDS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 75, 1 June 1866, Page 2

WEST COAST GOLD-FIELDS.

THE TWELVEMILE. I have some excellent news from Red Jack's to communicate. It seems to have surpassed itself this past week, no less than 800 ozs. having reached the Twelveinile last evening, the result of six days' purchasing. When a large sum like this is brought down from: a single gully in one day, and when there i'a, owing to tbe long drought, little or no water in the creeks, can one be too sanguine as to what the ground will produce when the- rainy weather sets in. Several instances of good fortune in this vicinity have also come under my notice; one in particular, where a party of four have worked two small paddocks, neither more than eight by twelve, with the lai'ge returns of 20 oz and 23 ozs., and this with every probability of others turning out tbe same: Those are bona fide facts, and will bear investigation. Tbe Little Grey yet bears an excellent reputation. I bear from scores that gold is far from scarce, but the miserably high price of provisions seems to act as a magnet to impede tbe great progress of one of tbe finest districts on tbe coast. This hitherto crushing influence however is shortly to be removed, and tbe field will have fair play- Already two of our storekeepers have taken round to Westport twenty tons of goods, which are to be conveyed to the Saddle by the Inangahua, at a cost of 40 per cent less than what is now the current charge by this river. It surprises me that nothing of the kind has been attempted before, when one takes into consideration the excellent water carriage for tbe whole distance, as well as the large number of miners who have been located on the Buller side of the Saddle for the last six weeks, for I do not think I exaggerate when I say there are over 400 there. The north side of the Grey, from the coalmine upwards, is beginning to claim attention, several miners having strnck payable gold^within the last week or two. I have seen some very good samples of the metal lately, obtained from opposite the TwelveMile ; it is of a coarse, rough-edged nature, and shows every indication of there being some good reefs close at hand ; indeed, it has made this impression on some old experienced hands, who have started on a prospecting tour, and feel confident of success. German Gully, a branch of Nelson's has proved one of tlie best of that flourishing spot, from the date of its discovery to the present. It has supported about 400 men, nearly all of whom average their £1 a day. The Ahaura is making wonderful strides ; every week one sees a large increase in the number of stores, and the character of the new buildings is very different from the old, wood and iron being the order of the day. I hope at some future time (excuse the boast) to see it rivaling Greymouth. The Nelson Government is making a new road up the river ; it certainly is not commenced before it was wanted, but our authorities are really to be commended for the liberal manner in which they at once meet the requirements of the public, — G. E. Argus.