Correspondence.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XVI, Issue 70, 28 November 1857, Page 3

Correspondence.

To the Editor op the "Nelson Examinee." Sib — Mr. William Lightband having published an account of his correspondence with the Gold Bonus Committee, together with the particulars of his claim «s the alleged discoverer of gold at Aorere, I think it due to another claimant, as well a 9 to the subscribers, to publish also the following declarations which were forwarded through me, in support of the claim of Mr. Edward James. The documents will be self-explaining. I am, &c., War. Stanton.

Trafalgar-street, 26 Nov., 1857.

Aorere, April 15th, 1857. I certify that in June, 1856, Edward James discovered some gold, and showed me the spot from whence it was taken by him. Also, that a week afterwards, when in company with him, another small piece of -gold was dug and washed out, and which piece of gold I sent to Mr. Sclanders in Nelson. Also, that, the gold wbb first discovered within a radius of two miles from the spot whereon the diggers are now working, and that the gold in question was found in the place now called Lightband's Gully, in the Aorere. Also, that I put in a claim (in the joint names of Ellis and James) to the advertised bonus. John Ellis, his mark X-

John Eoss, witness to John Elhs's signature.

Aorere, April 15th, 1857. I certify that I pointed out to Mr. Hough the spot shown me by Ellis and my brother Edward James, as the place where the latter had discovered the first gold taken from the Aorere ; and that my brother, in company with Ellis and myself, did a week afterwards dig up a small nugget or piece of gold, which was taken away by Ellis. I further certify that such spot from which this gold was taken in June last is within a radiua of two miles, whereon upwards of five hundred men are now engaged in digging payable quantities of gold, and is situated in the valley of the Aorere, in a place called at present Lightband' s •Gully, and about one mile distant from the spot where Lightband's party is now at work. John James.