SOUTHLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 567, 11 October 1862, Page 2

SOUTHLAND.

(FBOM THE 53AILY TIMES CORRESPONDENT.) Invercargill, 29th Septemoer, 1862. Mr Pearson, the Chief; Commissioner, again visited the Nokomai diggings, on the 20th inst. The time which had elapscrl since his former visit had bocn too short, to enable those who had taken up claim? below Lamb's party to bottom ; the water to be contended with is in greater quantity than was at first anticipated, and necessitates the cutting of long tail races to drain the claims sufTiciently to enable them to be worked. This takes time and labour; none need apply who are afraid of moisture. In about a fortnight it will bo ascertained whether the first gollen anticipations will be realised. Those in the upper part of the gully who have bottomed are doin^ very fairly, one party of nine informed Mr Pearson they averaged (Lls) fifteen pounds a week per man. This was corroborated by others, so I suppose it is true. A Maori party from Riverton, with Solomon ai their head, are doing well in a claim in a blind gully leading into the head of Victoria Gully ; the clay Mr Pearson was there they found a nugget rather more than an ounce in weight, the largest found yet. One of seven pennyweights was found a few days hefore in thu same locality. I suspect the hills will be tried now. In the gully itself, the deposit seems to be patchy, the rock dipping rapidly towards the Nokomai. The gold appears to have been rather in a, hurry to move on, and has done so where the rock is smooth enough to admit of it. Whenever the slightest ridge or irregularity has presented an impediment, it has been caught. It is all coarse. The question is, where has the bulk of it gone, more particularly the fine stuff? Some suggest the bars of the Mataura. A good many are out prospecting in different directions in the forks of the Mataura and iv the hills in the vicinity of the Victoria Gully. Some have gone back to the old Whakatipu diggings on the west bank of the Mataura, which from what I can learn, are as likely to turn out trumps as any ; the valley of the Eyre is COueMcred promising, and there is plenty of scrub, I v ieve, upon its banks. Some were returning ij >m Victoria Gully, most of whom, I understand, had contented themselves by looking at the surface, ami not finding nuggets at the top, returned voting the thing a bore, and thinking it easier and ploasanter to look at it in Broad's shop window here, where a fine sample of Nokomai gold is exhibited. Some arc working liar 1, and will give it a fair trial. The greater part of the gully is marked ofF in claims, which are being shepherded by those who, if carefully abstaining from work entitles one to be considered a good shepherd, are certainly choice specimens. Flour was scarce when Mr Pearson was theie, but three drays came in that day, mid more were expected shortly — Moat plentiful, both beef and mutton a shilling per pound. Part of the prospector's claim has been jumped, the diggers being under the impression that they have marked off too much ground. The party I believe ditiered in opinion. The motion being put, was carried by a lartro majority against Lamb's party, who are rather down in the. mouth accordingly. Some were, I hear, enquiring for miners' rights, these were men who had bottomed, and I suppose having got something good were inclined to keep it if possible. The impression on the field was that it had been declared a goldlieM in Dunedin, or would be so soon as Mr Brauigan returned. The price of gold, or rather what was asked on the field, was £3 123. 6d.

There is another bonne louche for you in the wreck of the Guiding Star going out of the New River. I suppose another instance of " presumption, impertinence, &c.,", on the part of Southland, " having met its just reward." (?) It seems poor Cnptain Eraser has lately suffered from a severe attack of " testimonial" in the shape of a purse of 25 soys. and a dinner. Tne usual result took place, an accident. I suppose some confounded old fairy was not asked to the feast and revenged herself by kicking; a hole through the Guiding Star's bottom, supposed to be .a not very difficult operation.

The Guiding Star was going out at 7 a.m., on Saturday last, at dead low water, for Rivcrton, and is rumoured to have touched on the tail-end Sandspit, where she beijan filling with water so rapidly that Cnptain Eraser had to beach her near the Maori Kailc, where she now lies perfectly cosy, her bows out even at high water, her storn being under some three feet. At low water 1 believe she is dry fore and aft. All the cargo savcl, and of course all lives. Some talk of the old sore which had never been properly healed breaking out ; it is pretty sure she would not stand Lloyd's A.I, test on the gridiron.

1 hear the Aphrasia is to take up the passengers to Dunedin. '