THE GOLDFIELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 181, 26 June 1862, Page 5

THE GOLDFIELDS.

WAITAHUNA. (from ax occasional corrkspondknt.) Waitahuna, 24th June, 1862. The weather here for the last feAV days ha 3 been very severe, between rain, snow, and heavy frost. The miners are working away, and firewood is the only draw-back. .There is plenty to be had, but carters are not able to cross the river, it being flooded from the incessant rain and snow. But if the bridge at Smythers' was once finished, so that carriers could cress the Waitahuna river for timber, everything would go on Al. The coal is the only fuel which is now keeping up the diggings, but that requires firewood to burn in conjunction. There have been two or three new rushes within the last week, namely, Mount Poverty and Cockney Point, which are at the head of Waitahuna Flat, joining Sailor Gully. In soma claims on Mount Poverty (so called from being so bleak and cold) some have washed - a half-penny-weight to the dish, and some have had two pennyweights to the tub ; and, in other 'parts-, rank duffers. In Cockney Point, I know only two parties who are getting gold; but the others, up to this, have either abandoned, or not bottomed, their claims, so that it is very hard how to form an opinion as yet, without the Hill being well prospected. Richmond Hill is lieing worked very steadily, and every inch of the Hill is'proving to be payable. I know of several parties Who are doing first-rate. One party of two washed up last week, and the dividend amounted for the week to£lo a man. Otherparties.l know, had a dividend of £10forthe last week. Sluicingisprogres.sitig first-rate. There are parties on every part of the Flat: and tho generality of the miners state that it isthe best-paying game now. The roads are in a dreadful state through the diggings, and ifc is really a shame to the Government that something sh ou!d- not be done to afford the unfortunate diggers a way of going to the different stores for their provisions and other necessaries, without running themselves'in danger of either breaking their limbs, or losing their lives. It is both a daily and nightly occurrence of the miners failing into shafts in going along the road through the flat. But, I am informed that our worthyJCommissioner, Captain Baldwin, is at present in town. Perhaps he would lay the case before the Government, and do his utmost to remedy the state of our roads. Mr. Fitzpatrick, of the Golden Age, has two professionals engaged every night, namely, Hull and Bishop, who enliven the diggings >vith their music. Mr. Hull has turned out a second Thatcher, and liaß amused the natives Avith his" local songs. He has given eA-eryone a turn on the diggings, from medical men to merchants, and from shanty-keepers to miners. The Miners' Arms, also, does not lack of its amusements for the digger. I forgot to mention to you that there are a few .on I the move here, since that late account of the Highlay diggings Avhich appeared in the Daily Times a £.•-.-/ days ago, ] There are very few now on Paddy's Point, There is hut one store, and only a few tents. Germ: n Flat is neari? in the same way, only there are a few sluicing parties there whoare making Avages. Nuggety Oullyis continuing steady; there are a great many, there, doing very well, and the rush opposite the Dart Hotel is getting on pretty Aye)]. Taking all things, ou the whole, if the weather once cleared up, good wages is yet to be had on Waitahuna. I have seen a great many new chum 3 arriving here for the last few days, from Victoria, many of Avhom only left this island for Victoria some few weeks ago and are now sorry for going. The Camp Hill rush is also goiug on stiadily; there is a grant given to some miners for a puddling machine, by Capt. Baldwin. This is now in course of erection on this hill. There' a-otwo other puddling machines up already, and doing very Avell. One in M'Gregor's Gully, and the other in Irishtown GuUy. I have only to add that we have found every satisfaction in the Post-

oftico department. since tho appointment 'of Mr. M'v'auley, tlie present, postmaster, who is at all times most obliging and courteous toeA-ery.person. The only slaughterman here at present (Mr. youtlierland) has raised the price of beef on the butchers,-so that this body have also raised tlieir prises to ls. 3d. per lb. for beef-steak. Also Mr. Mufces hns raised the price of tobacco to 12s. per lb. Why, those are prices the same as we had iv the good gciiicu times last September I If this goes on Avhat are the miners to do 1