WEST COAST GOLD-FIELDS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 100, 20 August 1867, Page 3

WEST COAST GOLD-FIELDS.

"We find the following account of the difficulties which have been found to attend gold-mining at AVaite's Palrihi, in the Westport Times of the 14th, and it sufficiently explains the delay that has occurred in turning the field in question to profitable account : — Though there is a large area of ground that can be profitably worked by individual parties, there is also a great extent that bafl!e3 the endeavoura of the most persevering ; and many knowing that they have, as it were, a fortune under their feet, have reluctantly to beat a retreat before the overpowering force of water. This is the case in almost every direction, but it is especially so on Waito's Pakihis, where scores of parties have been gallantly but unsuccessfully struggling for some time past. It may be that they will, on summer setting in, overcome their present difficulties; bnt, under any circumstances, if they were assisted with capital, the result would be far more certain, and the immediate consequences to the Town of Westport far more beneficial. There are numbers of claims where gold has been struck, but where the water defies the efforts of the owners to extract the wash-dirt. Every device known to miners has been tried with more or less success, but there are some parts that have, if we may use such a term, broken the hearts of their owners. These places can only be worked by the aid of steam power, and, as a rule, this is far beyond the means of the miners. Tho tail-race at present being constructed on Addison's Flat evidences already the wet nature of the ground, whilst at the same time its richness is incontestably proved. That the work will prove a vast boon to the claim holders, there cannot be a doubt, and it should be an encouragement to others to go and do likewise. This, however, is not always possible, but. if those interested in the Buller have any regard to their own interests, they will take care that every assistance is rendered to further mining in the district, and by no means can they do so more effectually than by providing adequate machinery and appliances for the extraction of gold known to exist. It becomes rather more than matter of profit, for it is actually self-preservation, inasmuch as the great influx of storekeepers of various grades is by no means warranted by present circumstances. Should the traders refuse to lend a helping hand to the miners, it is certain that the latter will travel elsewhere in large numbers ; and by no course could they more effectually do so than by associating their capital with the miner's labour in companies, where money would purchase what is needed in gold getting. We believe that on the whole West Coast of New Zealand thoro is not a richer tract than is on the Pakihis above referred to, but the metal is difficult to get, and its extraction is attended with great expense, in many cases, under existing arrangements. By the aid of steam-power, proper machinery, and apparatus that has already been proved efficacious in other places, all theso can without difficulty be got over ; but the digger, as a rule, is not a rich man, and however great hi senterprise is, he has not funds to combat successfully in cases of this kind. In suggesting the formation of companies, we do so as much for the interest of the capitalist as the miner. Without doubt any association properly managed would be directly remunerative to all concerned, whilst the effects would be felt in every department of trade. As yet, owing to the difficulties referred to, there cannot be a doubt that though washdirt in some cases six feet in thickness has been struck, the gold yield in proportion has been small. The late bad weather, of course, has materially affected mining prospects ; but irrespective of that, there cannot be a doubt that in this district capital must come to the assistance of labour, and in selfdefence it behoves all who have any stake in the town to come forward at once and help themselves. Let us hope those most concerned will stir themselves, and that before long the steam-engine may be in full operation ; in the surrounding diggings bringing, as it inevitably will, prosperty in its train. Without such aid the diggings must languish, and with it the Buller district will prove one of the best ever opened in New Zealand. The same journal thus notices a rush that has just commenced to the Karamea : — Karamea rushes have been existent prior to this time, but the latest has occurred during the past day or two. A miner from that locality came into town and sold 14 ozs. of coarse gold, and this fact set a lot of the loose fish in the district adrift. Small quantities of the above kind have repeatedly been received from this locality, and why a 14-oz. parcel Bhould create such a sensation we are at a loss to discover. Be it as it may, however, there is no doubt whatever that a small stampede has set in, and that the Karamea will now have a thorough trial. The Lyttelton steamer was advertised to call in there, should sufficient inducement offer, and the result was she loaded with passengers. The Nelson Government have endeavoured to open up this district, and money has recently been voted for tracks, &c, to it. If the late news is only partially true, there cannot be a doubt of the good fortune of the new locality, but at the same time it has to be proved. As yet we should advise miners to be cautious, and not run off; if anything worth while occurs, we shall too gladly announce the fact. "We take from the Charleston Argus, of the 3rd instant, the following notice of the Mohikinui gold-field :—: — From the Mohikihui good news has come, though not sufficiently startling to justify any rush whatever. Dufty and party brought down some firstclass coarse gold this week from that locality, and the prospects for those who are there are good. If a track was cut up that river, room would be made for a large population, for so far as the auriferous naturo of the district goes there cannot be a doubt. The old song, want of provisions through the inaccessibility of the country, is applicable here, and till tracks are cut, the major part of the auriferous country will be kept locked up. Whether the Nelson rulers will admit this fact and take steps to obviate it remains to be seen. The session of the Provincial Councial is rapidly drawing to a close, and it seems as if, like on past occasions, nothing is to be done, and the opportunity is to pass once more. "We take the following intelligence respecting the Karamea rush from the Westport Times, of the 17th instant : — The most important mining item at present is the new rush that has set in to the Karamea. It is hard frequently to account for tho insane stampedes that miners are prone to, but of all the extraordinary rushes, on the very smallest provocation, the last to the Karamea i 9 the most singular. That there is gold in that district no one can deny, and that some day a large extent of payable ground will be opened up there is little doubt, but all the present rush has been occasioned by fourteen ounces of gold being brought down. Be it as it may, however, steamers are calling in there now — the latest being the Kennedy. The Lyttleton took away, a few days ngo, nearly a hundred passengers, and the Kennedy had also a large number. The gold has been got about three or four miles north of the Karamea, and is obtained iv very shallow sinking, on tho banks of a creek. As to auy particulars we can give no further, and would strongly advise all to pause before setting out on what may prove a wildgoose chase. Only a few months ago several nearly lost their lives in this district through positive starvation, and one poor fellow, in humping his tucker along the dangerous, so-called track, fell down a precipice, and was killed on the spot. Altogether, at present, the Karamea is by no means a desirable place, and it should take something more than fourteen ounces of gold to induce people to set out to such hazardous ground. It is not to be supposed that people will take advice, but at all events we huve discharged our duty in tendering it, and the consequences must rest on the heads of those who refuse to be guided by us.