The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1867. THE COLLINGWOOD GOLD-FIELD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 222, 21 September 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1867. THE COLLINGWOOD GOLD-FIELD.

We are gratified to be able to state that the anticipations lately formed with reference to this goldfield have been fully confirmed by tbe report brought last night by the Lady Barkly, by which several members of mercantile firms iu this city returned to town. We learn that Washbourne's Flat, the present scene of operations, is situated about 7 miles from the port, and is a terrace forming one side of an amphitheatre, containing an area of from 60 to 100 acres. The whole of this terrace has beeu takeu up by prospectors, and a very busy scene preseuts itself on approaching the flat. About 19 holes are now in process of sinking, but none of these can be bottomed for at least a week or ten days to come. The miners who are now located there all seem most sanguine as to results, and are evidently working in the highest spirits. The quantity of geld in the neighborhood, which is as yet UDprospected, is almost unlimited; aud we need hardly remind our readers that Dr Von Hochstetter long ago predicted that a very rich gold-field would be discovered in the Collingwood district, or that experienced diggers who have visited it have always expressed a strong conviction to the same effect. There is no doubt that there has been a tacit understanding, not only amongst the residents at Collingwood, but also amongst the miners, that publicity to the recent discoveries should be retarded as long as possible; and the reason will be sufficiently obvious to our readers, and especially to those who have had any acquaintance with mining communities. The fact however is now ascertained, aud we believe that a brilliant future is in store for the much abused Collingwood goldfield.

The Lady Barkly brought over 245 ozs. of gold, aud we are assured thafc a very considerable quantity is withheld on the ground. Perhaps the most satisfactory proof we could adduce of the reality of this discovery, is the fact that the Lady Barkly had on board by far the largest mail that has ever been dispatched from Collingwood, the great majority of the letters being addressed to diggers at the West Coast.

We have inspected 100 ozs. of heavy nuggetty gold, now lodged at the Bank of New Zealand, the produce of this goldfield, which reached town last night, and also a very rich specimen of quartz, thickly impregnated with gold, from a drive on the face of Bedstead Gully, with a nugget weighing 8 ozs., now in the possession of Mr. Wilkie.

>^L We understand that a very considerable proportion of the inhabitants of Collingwood have left for the diggings, and that property in the township is rapidly rising in value. Mr Gibbs of Totaranui has sold land to the amount of £1000, and Messrs Akersten, Wilkie, Davis, Phillips, Corbett, and other Nelsonians have purchased largely. We may add that all who visited Collingwood by the last trip of the Lady Barkly seem strongly impressed with the belief that a gold-field ,of no common richness aud extent has been revealed,