OUR GOLDFIELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 106, 19 March 1862, Page 4

OUR GOLDFIELDS.

(From our oion Correspondent.) Tuapeka, Maxell 17th. I am glad at last to-be able to-report that-the material for the Hospital is 011 the ground, and. its erection is being proceeded with in a vigorous and effective manner. The site chosen is'not particularly favorable in a sanitory point of view, but as it is easy of approach and otherwise unobjectionable, it is to be hoped that the low and somewhat damp position will not materially affect the health of the patients. lam sorry to say that a kind of ague or low fever has been very prevalent on the goldfields, especially at Wetherstone s. Unfortunately the site of .the township of Wetherstone's is little better than a swamp, and the tilth which . must necessarily. accumulate from the collection- of such a large number of men, is retained on the spot. As a necessary consequence noxious gases are evolved, and to such extent as may possibly produce malaria-' The number of deaths from low fever have been numerous, and in many instances -when the diseasg has not been fatal, the sufferers bftve been compelled to leave" the district, and if poor," take refuge in the Dunedin hospital. This, with the erection ofthe hospital at Tuapeka, will to a certain extent be "obviated, and those who are so unfortunate as to meet with ail accident will be saved a frightful journov, and consequent suffering. On .Saturday last, Daniel Sullivan, one of the gang lately captured, was a^ain brought up; but as there was no. evidence to show that he had been connected in any way with the late outrages, he was'discharged."- As however, he was known to be a bad character, and an associate of " Hill" and "Spratly," he was charged, under the Vagrant Act witli having no lawful means of support, and sentenced'to three montlis imprisonment with hard labor. : . «-,The buildings for the police have come up, and are about being.' erected at the Junction. This; change will be a great improvement, as it. will command the entire district, and the inhabitants of Gabriel's, Monroe's, and Wetherstone's will be enabled to reach the camp without climbing over hills several hundred feet high. We have had the road surveyor, Mr. Pitcairn, up here, and he has laid out the* line of road between the Junction and Wetherstone's, but, as'the sum voted for its construction is "miserably small and insufficient,. I am at a loss to understand of what use this will be. It would want five times 500 tb make this piece of road passable.. .' , ~ 'Mr. Reid", the contractor ,for the raising of liguite at the Junction, was here during the end of last week. but, as the Government'have' not came; to any understanding with the discoverers of the lead, he was: unable to proceed to work.' No place could be pointed out to hini where he was to get the lignite, hence this useful and profitable work remains' unperformed. The proprietors have a large quantity on' the gras^J imdthe seam is lookiug better" than it has hitherto ione. : A very little management, would have enabled the Government to come to some satisfactory arrau'geaient with the party who made the discovery, as-if is they have placed themselves iv this;' position, that they can neither dispossess the perstas, in possession, aor enable the contractor to fulfil his contract.: .-, The sons of Erin have been celebrating St. Patrick's Day with great rejoicings. Headed by%a brass band, they paraded the diggings, audat various pointsmade die welkin ring with cheers. In the evening a dinner We have been particularly requested to intimate ;hat Mr. Livingston, pianist to Mr..-Thatcher, has letermined to commence the tuition of his profession, and that he is open to receive pupils .for he. niano and for singing.