SOUTHLAND. TIIE NOKOMAI DIGGINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 567, 11 October 1862, Page 5

SOUTHLAND. TIIE NOKOMAI DIGGINGS.

(FROM THE DAILY TIMKS CORRF.SPO\"DE\T )

Inveroargill, October 3..

There is not much news of importance from the Nokomai since my last. Captain Iswell brought down ten ounces of gold purchased from the Maori part}', and states they Fold two ounces on the diggings, making twehe ounces, irrespective of the ounce odd nugget, all which, I am told, was got in ten days, more by fossicking with knives about their claim than by v ashing in the legitimate manner. A good many have returned to Invercargill, and I hear a good number have recrossed the Mataura; some of those who have turned back not having even been on the diggings, but turned on the first unfavorable report. Prospectors are out in all directions up the Eyre river, — Nevis, Mataura, old Wakatipu diggers, &c. I fear they will have a good deal of water to contend with, as the weather for the last fortnight has been very bad, strong gales from south-west accompanied with rain, sleet, &c.; if this Ims readied the diggings it will by no means assist in either working or prospecting, — there being naturally more water in the ground in the spiing of the year. Indeed, some men vho lately returned to this neighborhood from the diggings state they intended going back in about six weeks, when there will be less water. Protection on the road seems to be much required ; several complaints have been made by stock o\\ ners, of their property being forcibly taken, and in dome instances, wilfully destroyed. The Government I understand has sent up troopers to be stationed along the line of road, and at Mr. Rogers's there is to l>o ;i ferry boat established on the Mataura, just above the long ford, at once, for the convenience of persons coming from Otago ; also, a party of men, will be immediately set to work to improve the road through the Doun Pass. Thegreit North road from Invercargill is being rapidly pushed. Tenders arc invited for beach cutting, culverts, outfall drains, &-,.•., as far as about 19 miles from Invereargill, the worst part of the road, is on crossing the Oreti, above the Dipton Creek there is a fnst-ratc natural ro.ul for miles. The Chief Surveyor on his List trip discoveied a splendid quarry ot limestone about twenty-three miles from Invercargill, close to the road. He describes it as v hard limestone tufa, resembling the tiavcrtin of the Roman slates, well adapted ior building, and n aking excellent lime for all purposes. Several drays with provisions left Invcicargill for the Nokomai last week, and, I believe, some from Riverton.

The quarter's accounts show that Southland is still looking up, and is not yet destitute. The expenditure for the quarter ending 30th ult. is Fourteen thousand eight hundred and ninety-two pounds (£14,892) odd. The balance to the credit f the Provmce being, Fifteen thousand and eightyone pounds (,£15,081) odd. Pretty wholesome on the whole ; especially as the expenditure for the quarter has hcen heavier than usuul, and one of tin* items not likely to occur again, vi/ , paying for the Hulk. £1,400 odd, also £800 for immigration, — which, as there is a balance of some (£3000) three thousand pounds under favor, in the hands of the Agent in London, will probably be the last payment, for a short time at least. Labor, I fancy, will fall in price, owing to the influx of population consequent on the Nokomai diggings ; so that our public works will not only be able to be carried on vigorously, but at a cheaper rate. One consolation is, that in this Province, let them find diggings where they will, the construction of roads to them only opens up fine tracts of agricultural land, with plenty of bush, enhancing the value lo the Government, and enabling the purchaser to turn to account any produce he may raise, One want is much felt here, which I would imagine could easily and readily be supplied by Dunedin, I mean teama, either bullock or horse ; the owners of such here ai c so few and independent, that if they will condescend to cirt to the diggings at all, it is at such exorbitant rates, that it precludes the possibility of being able to sell at anything like fuir prices for the diggers to pay ; in fact, what with Government contracts and private work in the town, all the horse drays aye pretty well employed. As an instance of 'the difference resulting from the Nokomai news, £15 per ton was given for cartage to a station on the same road, and within thirty miles of the Moa Creek a week before tho rush took place, and I was assured by the owner of the dray that it paid him very well. Now the lowest I hear of is £fiO per ton, and with the exception of one pinch from Rogers's to Cameron's, the whole of the extra thirty miles is good.

Your Wellington correspondent seems to entertain an amiable feeling for poor Southland, (or is there any extra pay for abuse ?) calling it an impertinent, pettifogging, &c. It is too bad, however, to attribute Mr Cheek's words to the gentlemanly old Major ; cve;\ in thoiuht he has too much of the good old school of politeness to allow his countenance to express such sentiments, and too much good sense to believe in them. He knows too well the resources, capabilities, and future prospects of Southland. There should however, be every allowance made for your Wellington friends, it is a day or two since he could report a balance of fifteen thousand odd to the credit of the Empire city, and I much fear it will be a day or two yet before he can make a similar announcement. Perhaps, after all, I am doing him an injustice, and he meant the term petti-fogging as complimentary, and only wished (poor fellowj, he could apply'it, and the fifteen thousand to his native province.

> 1 see in your summary you state that the Aldinga struck on a reef to the west of the Bluff, instead of, as it actually was, the east, I suppose the temptation was too great for you, it'is a fine thing to have a soul above partiality. The Land Fund for September is (£6356) Six thousand three hundsed and fifty-six odd, principally derived from sales of Rural Land, some two or three blocks having been thrown opon during the month, some of the sections in which were pretty well competed for. This month will I fancy be equally good, and there is some fine land in the Oteramika hundred to be open for sale.

Vessels in the New River : Balmoral, Eucalyptus, Mary Ann, and Pilot. Wo are having the full benefit of the equinoctial gales, for the last week

it has blown with an enc-gy and perseverance woithy of a better cause — last spring was much milder, but we had bad weather Inter in summer, I suppose it will be the reverse this year.