KARAKA GOLD-FIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1191, 7 September 1867, Page 3

KARAKA GOLD-FIELD.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT). SHORTLAND, Sept. 6, 1867. The Enterprise arrived last night about twelve, in capital style, showing, I hope, that with a little more care in making the channel, neither herself nor her passengers need go " mud larking." I made a long round of several of the claims yesterday, and I have this morning had a sample of stone in from Tookey's reef. In all the claims there is steady work doing; in Hunt's, Barry's, and Tookey's, the stone is still of the same excellent .quality that I have so - often before reported, ana I can only add, that while I am not at all surprised at your apathy, and apparent indifference to the "Treasure Trove" you have found here, l am just a little surprised that people should be talking nonsense about having the gold shown to them. The gold is in the stone ; we have shown the stone to all and sundry ; but until we have a very powerful battery of stampers, and the proper amalgamating apparatus placed upon this field, within reach of the reefers, little more can be done than we have now done. I am told that there is an excellent quartz crushing apparatus in the hands of the Bank of New Zealand, and I really hope that some steps will be taken to place it on this field. It is no speculation now to send machinery here ; if the Bank of New Zealand, or the capitalists of Auckland will not do this, I hope those of Melbourne will believe me that the stone on this field is as fine as any I have ever seen in Bendigo, and I who write was the editor and one of the proprietors of the first daily papers ever established on that field; and I have since then been the editor of the Ovens and Murray Advertiser. I, therefore, ought to know some little about these matters. That is all of that, as our native friends say.

On the newly opened ground at the Waiotahi Creek, there is the greatest activity. I was offered a bet of a new hat yesterday that one of the sluicing claims would have three ounces of gold for sale by night. I took the bet, but I have not had to pay. Still, all are in good heart as to what is likely to be done. All claims not properly protected by being worked or registered, pass with great facility from their original owners. As an instance of this, I may state that a miner who was amongst the first of the first rush to the new ground this week, neglected [his] claim for just 24 hours, and he then found eight men in possession of what was going to make his pile ! He had to " give it up."

The Civil Commissioner (Mr. James Mackay, junr.), has proceeded to Coromandel. He left by the steamer on Wednesday, and transshipped to the cutter Emma.

We are, I understand, to have a great mining case here. I will give the facts as briefly as I can, but for obvious reasons I will use no names. The case stands thus, A, the owner of a full sixth share in a claim, sold one-half his share to B, and the second half to C. To the right of B there is no challenge; but C's half is disputed by a person who says he was a mate of A, and had a half of his half-share, or one-quarter of a sixth share. C. has a written agreement, he paid a deposit when the bargain was made; and he has since lodged the full amount remaining unpaid in the hands of the Warden, Mr. Baillie. Mr. Wynn and Mr. Joy are named as counsel for the plaintiff and defendant. Persons who buy should do so through an agent acquainted with the matter. The prospecting party have been getting on. with their work in startling style, but I am annoyed to have to say that they will be stopped at noon to-day for want of timber for slabbing. I made a mistake — it was not the printer's — in saying that the stuff should be 3 x 9 (three by nine), it should have been two, and not three, and the lengths as I then stated. Can you kindly do anything for us in this way, and will Mr. Wilson and Mr. Creighton kindly do it at once? The matter is one that I hope you will

stretch a point to meet tho miners in. I am told Mr. Creighton has received some subscriptions for the object in view, and I am authorised to say that he will be right in remitting them to Captain Butt. The timber wanted is 6000 feet, 9 x 2 I had neglected to say that the lower of the two prospecting shafts has so much water that only a bucket or two of dirt could be got out yesterday, This will probably be an answer to those who have found fault with the men in the British Claim for not doing more work. I see that I am threatened with an action for libel ! Do Messrs. Sutton and Coppell recollect the apology made by the actor who said some- who said something very disrespectful of a nobleman once ? He said, "His remark was true, and he was sorry for it." So am I. The correct thing has now been done ; Mr. Messenger, junior, has brought down and paid over to the treasurer here, the funds handed over to Mr. W. C. Wilson, by Messrs. Sutton and Coppell, and I can now compliment those gentlemen on their public spirit, and say how sorry I am that ever for a moment there should have been a shadow of difference between us to interrupt that high respect and kindly regard which we have ever had for each other. Salutations Monsieurs. While I am writing, one of the claim holders has called in to tell me tho following : — He went to town for blasting-powder and obtained a "permit" for it; put it on board the steamer and arrived here with it. On landing the powder this morning it was seized by Mr. Wallace, who is acting tidewaiter here. l am told that all powder here must be lodged in the camp, only 1 lb. (one pound) at a time will be allowed to be taken out of store. If this restriction is to be maintained, I think you might as well give me authority to draw upon the office for my passage back, as we had all better be here quick. The men cannot do without powder in the claims, and I hope the restriction will be removed. If those who wish to send the powder will take out the license in my name, I will do the work free, until some better arrangement can be made. The joint prospecting committee have just decided to send Mr. George Holland, the manager, to Auckland, for the timber, as all hands will be standing until he comes back. POSTAL NOTICE. A post-office having now been established here, all persons can address their letters through it. The proper address is " Shortland, Kaueranga." SALES BY AUCTION—THIS DAY. MESSRS. C. ARTHUR AND SON will sell to-day at their mart, at noon, butter, kerosene, English hams, groceries, tea, furniture, holloware, sundries, &c. MESSRS. BRIGHT AND Co.. will sell to-day, at eleven o'clock, at their mart, groceries, provisions, wines, ale and porter, jewellery; also at 1 o'clock, furniture, &c. MR ALFRED BUCKLAND will sell to-day, at 11 o'clock, at the Haymarket, draught horse, trotting mare, rye grass, draught mares, ploughs, &c., also Thorley's food for cattle. Mr. L. W. EATON will sell to-day, at noon, on Custom House-street, 250,000 feet of kauri boards and scantling, in lots to suit purchasers. MESSRS. WM. HUNTER AND Co. will sell today at the Bazaar Yards, at 11 o'clock, hacks, harness horses, draught ditto, drays, harness, saddlery, &c. Mr. S. JONES will sell to-day, at 11 o clock, at his mart, provisions, maize, wines, ginger beer, stout, furniture, tea and sugar, kerosene lamps, &c. ; also, 14 tons of best Patna rice. Mr. H. RIDINGS will sell to-day, at his mart, at 11 o'clock, furniture, watches, brandy, porter, cooking stoves, rifle, &c. MESSRS. J. ROBERTSON & Co. will sell to-day, at noon, as their stores, Durham-street, 55 tons Malden Island Guano. MR. GEORGE SIBBIN will sell to-day, at 11 o'clock, at his stores, blacksmiths' tools, maize, smoked mutton, flour, furniture, wines, &c.; also, at 12.30, in Fort-street, screw press, perforating machines, &c. MR. C. STICHBURY will sell to-day, at 11 o'clock, at his mart, maize, groceries, potatoes, wines and spirits, clothing, boots, &c. MESSRS. TURRELL AND TONKS will sell to-day, at 11 o'clock, maize, tea, sugar, butter, potatoes, furniture, &c.