WHANGAMATA AND HIKUTAIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2829, 21 February 1873, Page 3

WHANGAMATA AND HIKUTAIA.

Me. John TLiZYDOS, who returned from Whan- > : gamata on Wednesday, furnishes us (Thames \ \ Advertiser) with the following item 3of news: I —Mr. Leydon fays that on his arrival at i "Whangamata on Tuesday evening he found a '. great many changes had occurred since his : last visit. The place was nearly deserted. One. half the tents hud disappeared from the ; flat/and the people who remained werii much c dissatisfied and doubtful with regard to the "! discovery of gold in the district. There are a good many people out in the ranges prospect- ; ing.' Some hail just returned uasuucessful, and day after day the same tale is brought back. The energy of those miners who are on the .field is greater than before, ami they still persevere acd hope, adopting the useful maxim of " try again." This, however, cannot last long if nothing is found, and indeed a great many are now leaving the district. Some have been persuaded to remain and give the place a further trial, as there are a few who still fully believed that gold whs found bv Mr. Brogan, hut that he would take his own time about showing it. The s.s. Southern CroS3 sailed past from Tuuranua towards Auckland, without calling at Wlmngaiuata harbour, thus disappointing Mr. H. K. .Tones and others, who wished to proceed to Auckland by her. They had consequently to turn bock over the ranges.' There is no change in the townehip, except that bread is now to be had, being baked here by Mr. Reid. Messrs. Dunn and Co. eustained a rather Bevere loss. A lot of goods and stores were landed at the harbour, —amongst the rest a quurter-cssk of brandy, which was tapped, and about nine gallons of the liquor taken out of it. It is suspected that the brandy was stolen by some no lives, who were on their way to Malaura settlement. The opening in the cask had evidently been made with the corner of a tomahawk. Altogether, there are not more than about ninety persons left on the ground, and a great many of theße have made up their ininde to leave the place very soon if no gold is found mthis meantime. There arenow more than sufficient stores erected for the requirements of the place, and except gold is struck there will be no inducement or opening for others in this line of business. The surveyors have finished their work, and intend to return to Hikutaia as soon as Mr. Mackay arrives there from Auckland. The storekeepers at Hikutuia seem to be doing well. Mr. Jhordan has opened a new hotel and restaurant here, and Mr. Meyers, of Grahamstown, has also started an hotel, and appears to be doing a fair business. Bridges are being erected across the Hikutaia river; one is almost complete, and two others have been commenced. Daniel McG-ee arrived at Hikutaia in the afternoon, but although he was anxiously sought for he disappeared, and nothing more has been seen of him. A censiderable number of the diggers who Mt Whangamata are now camped at Hikutaia. From a. private letter received on Wednesday from a reliable prospecting party we extract the following:—" We prospected tne Pyramid Creek, and came across some very good-looking reefs and leaders. To-morrow we go to another locality. This is a fine-looking oountry, and may posaibly turn out well.