THE WAIKOUAITI CREEK DIGGINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3257, 15 July 1872, Page 3

THE WAIKOUAITI CREEK DIGGINGS.

TO TUB KOJTOft

Siii—Pt-rmit me through your columns to make a few remarks with regard to a block of land about to Le sold for a mere nothing, againut the wishes of all the diggers who arc •earning an hottest and independent living. Jf this misguided step is carried out it will ujmct my idea of looking for a quart/, reef, which I am perfectly »ure i'h either in tliix nirnie block of liuui or very close to ifc. There are plenty of specimens, which we can forward to l)uncdin if nuccfteai-y. They were all found in this creek by ground sluicing ; mid I venture to say that if the people in this Province were as anxious to forward the mining interest an they are in other parts of New .Zealand and the neighbouring Colonies, this Province most undoubtedly would go ahead, as there is plenty of country uirtried an yet, both for quart/, aud for every other branch of mining industry. I have been in Victoria, New Boutli W«k-n, and Queensland, and I say positively that gold is'inore easily found in this Province than many other part of New Zealand or Australia that I have been in. In thia forgotten and despieed creek 1 can find gold within two feet of the surface, and this diggings ia in a direct lino within fourteen miles of the capital town of this Province. I am sure if they hod a diggings like this bo close to the town of Chrtstchurch or Nelson, it •would not bo sold, even if there wok not half the; numlwr of men that are working here.

I am. informed tliat it was stated to the Government that only a few low individuals com© here to pass the winter. Not so; some of tho miners have been here for the last eight) or nine years, and are not working for tucker only aa is supposed. There are 22 steady working miners on tin* creek at the present time, and I assert that there is room and payable ground for treble that number. The average wages are from £2 to £0 per week.

J may as well mention that there was a trooper from Waikouaiti, sent heire to ;mcertain the value of our water-nicea and tools. Such a person is right, certainly, in his own way, but be had not time to pay a visit to all the diggers, and consequently he could not come to a proper conclusion. There was a rough guess made aa to the worth of the diggers' property, but I protest against it, as some of the water-races arc over estimated in value and »orao under-estimated. Therefore, if this place must become the property of some big bug, I.say, Jet us have the chance of sonic gentlemen of knowledge to visit us -such aa Professor Black or the gentleman that looks after the museum. If those gentlemen consider it right that this land 'should be Hold, we will give in without a murmur. If those gentlemen state & tim« to come here, we will meet them with horses at the KilniOg Hotel. It will only take one day if they would start early.—l am, &c, M. M. M.

Wmkouaiti Creek.