THE COLLINGWOOD GOLD-FIELD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 218, 17 September 1867, Page 2

THE COLLINGWOOD GOLD-FIELD.

The Lady Batkly arrived this morning from Collingwood, having reached that place at midnight, and as she returned almost immediately, the information she brings relative to the new gold-field is exceedingly meagre. All we can learn is that there are about 300 individuals on the ground; that none of the holes opened since the first discovery have been bottomed; that a week at least must elapse before this can be the case; and that the prospects obtained from the original hole, which is also not yet bottomed, are as rich as can be desired. We regret to state that letters, which would doubtless have furnished us with more ample intelligence, were accidentally left behind at Collingwood. The Lady Barkly leaves for Motueka and Collingwood at 9 a.m. tomorrow. The Government have received the following report from Dr Turnell, the Gold Warden at Collingwood, dated 9th September, which has been courteously placed at our disposal: — * The miners have commenced deep sinking on the terraces in several localities. In one instance a rich lead of gold has been struck at a depth of 75 feet, and claims have been taken up for . a distance of half a mile along the supposed run of the lead. The shaft which is being sunk at Appoo's Flat is expected to disclose a similar deposit of the hidden treasure.' The Warden then refers to Thomas M'Grane's death at Wilson's claim on the 7th instant, whilst undermining a ; •face,' as described iu our issue of Saturday.

Y~-We learn from a correspondent who writes from the Baton River under data of the 13th inst., that having traversed two ofthe tracks* to the Karamea, viz.: — the Baton track, and the other by the Skeet River, known as Hough's track, he decidedly recommends diggers to take tbe road leading from Motueka to the Baton, and thence to the Karamea by Jones's track, as heing not ouly the shortest and best, but as passing through country which is, to all appearance, highly auriferous. We understand from another informant, that the Pangatotara Road Board are fully alive to the necessity of making every preparation for the. probable influx of population to the Karamea, and have pushed on the execution of their contracts as much as possible. A drayroad is now being made up the Motueka Eiver, on the Motueka _ide, to a point above the Graham, so that the probability is that in about six weeks' time there will be a good dray road in this direction, which will enable the diggers on the Karamea to obtain constant supplies from a point opposite the mouth of the Graham, probably the highest point which will be reached for some time to come by drays. Here a ferry, with a store and accommodation house will be erected on the opposite side of the rivei*, so that miners, in case of heavy weather, wiil be able to rest there, and supplies can be taken across, aud packed on the opposite side on horses, for which there is plenty of excellent feed. We find that the track over the Loadstone will not be completed until the snow has melted, about a fortnight's work still remaining to be doue, and it is strongly recommended that no one Bhould dream of starting for Karamea by Dutton's track (and probably not by either of the other tracks), until the snow has disappeared from Mount Campbell, which is visible from. Nelson. Attention to such advice will have the effect of preventing much disappoiutmeut and suffering, and will also preclude the dissemination of unfair statements as to the accessibility, etc., of the new gold-field. We understand that the inquest on the late fire will take place on Thursday next, at 2 o'clock, at the Court-house. We understand that Mr Henry Wrigg,C.E., who has been engaged by the Provincial Government to make the preliminary survey for the proposed railway between Nelson and the West Coast, ia expected to arrive from Auckland vi_. Wellington on the 19th inst. Mr Wrigg was formerly acting engineer on the Brighton and Cheltenham Railway, and prepared the parliamentary plans and sections for that line, and also for the Preston Waterworks, besides which he has been employed in carrying out several public works in Auckland since his arrival in the colony. It will be remembered that on her last voyage to Sydney the Claud Hamilton took away a very large and valuable freight of gold, the bulk of which was shipped at the port of Greymouth. The total quantity of gold taken on this trip was 28,0000z. of which 20,0000z. were from this place. Strange to say, no report that we have seen in any of the Sydney papers gives Greymouth credit for this shipment, but puts the whole lot down to Hokitika. One would imagine that the captains of the steamers would at least take pains to enlighten the shipping reporters of the Australian papers as to the geography of the West Coast, more especially as this is not the first by many occasions on which the export of gold from Greymouth has been underrated or entirely ignored. We take this opportunity of reminding our Sydney contemporaries that practically there is as much difference between the ports of Hokitika and Greymouth as between Sydney and Melbourne. The publication of erroneous statements such as that of whicli we complain has the effect of leading passengers for New Zealand astray, inducing them to ship for Hokitika, whilst Greymouth is generally the most central and convenient port, whilst it is certainly the most contiguous to the great mining centres. — G. R. Argus. The Westland Observer states that during the survey of the tracks, and their connection by a "coast traverse^" Mr Hacket has, by a series of . observations, ascertained the correct altitude of Mount Cook. The observed height, as taken by trigonometrical measurement is— -^-summit of peak, 12,362 feet. Although, as seen from Okarita, the dome appears to be higher than the peak, the latter is found to be several hundred feet of greater altitude. According to the map, the summit

of one of these should be 13J30Q feetelevation j ••-Jiut' this, by above observations, which are said to agree; with each other to within a few feefc, appears to be incorrect. The Melbourne police, it appears, are pot satisfied with the verdict of the Coroner^ jqry in Bellemey's case. He yfai afterwards brought up to the City Cpurfc, on the charge of murdering his wife, and Detective Duncan applied for a remand; but as he was not iu possession of any further evidence against the prisoner, and as the arrest had been informal, the Bench, on the application of his counsel, directed his discharge. The Argus says :— On Saturday eveuing Bellemey wns re-arrested in a friend's house, the police having obtained the Coroner's warrant, and it is understood that they anticipate being able to bring some fresh evidence againßt him. i .- j !■ ' »*■■*