Correspondence.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XV, Issue 79, 31 December 1856, Page 2

Correspondence.

To tiie Editor of the 'Nelsox Examiner.'

Sir — It having been stated that the Wai-tohi-road, from Massacre-hill, Wairau, to Waitohi, would cost Ten Thousand Pounds, the undersigned, with the view of proving the inaccuracy of such an estimate, is prepared, for the sum of Three Thousand, Five Hundred Pounds, to make a road from Massacre-hill to Waitohi, including bridges and approaches thereto, suitable for drays and similar vehicles. By giving publicity to this, you will greatly oblige, Yours, &c, William Strachan. Waitohi, Province of Nelson, December 27, 1856. To the Editor op the ' Nelson Examixeb.' Sir — In your issue of Saturday last I observe a letter containing a statement of the report taken back to the London "adventurers" of the Cook's Strait Mining Company, by one of the old servants formerly employed at the Dun Mountain by that Company ; and I beg to be allowed to make the following remarks upon that letter. The writer recommends sending round to Auckland for a competent miner, to give a just and true report of the real worth and value of the mine. Now I beg leave to state that there are as good miners, and thoroughly practical men, at present in Nelson, as can be found in Auckland, or any other part of the world. On my first arrival in this province from Auckland, I was employed by the local agents to go to the Duu Mountain to examine the mine, and give an opinion and report thereon. I went and made that examination, and, on my return to Nelson, I reported to those gentlemen that Mr. Wrey had not at that time cut the lode. I did not state that the lode was not there ; and to show that I had the highest opinion of, and the greatest confidence in, the mine, I made an offer to find men and means to cut the lode and produce ore, on the terms of "no copper, no money." Now, should I be called upon by the gentlemen interested ill the undertaking in this province to give a report in writing on the actual and true state of the Dun Mountain Copper Mine, I shall be most happy and willing to do so, well knowing that unless the ores of this rich mineral country are developed, the Provice of Nelson will always be in the background ; and should my report be considered of any service, and, on' the other hand, should I not be considered competent as a miner to give such report, I beg leave to be allowed^ to state that I am prepared at any time, on being called upon, to give references to parties of the first standing in the mining world, both in London and Swansea, under whom I have been employed for the fifteen j'ears previous to my visiting* these colonies, and whose opinion would at once decide upon my competency to give such report. I will only add, that it is a matter of surprise to me that the gentlemen interested in > this undertaking in London are not at this [ time able to judge for themselves of the value of the mine, as they have had plenty of the richest qualities of copper orc3 sent home to them, intermixed with the soil and earth of the country, which would most materially assist them in doing so.

I am, &c, John Marsden.

Nelson, Dec. 30