Our Gold Fields.

Colonist, Issue 9, 20 November 1857, Page 2

Our Gold Fields.

COLLINGWOOD. 16th November. The Slate River, the chief scene of digging1 operations at present, has as usual lately been tantalizing the parties at work on its banks and bars, the morning promising fine, when about mid day down comes rain and fresh, and work to a considerable extent is at an end. It was perhaps unfortunate that the auriferous character of this river was ascertained at the commencement of a very wet winter, the diggers having to put up ■with many hardships, poods of different kinds often necessary, but not to be had'on account of i..bad roads, high rates of carriage, and consequently high priced goods—but still, diggers, storekeepers, and publicans have stuck to" the place well, and your columns and those of your contemporary have repeatedly informed the public of successful Slate River diggers. It is a pity that now there is a break in the weather so many parties are returning, some to their farms ; some, strangers hard up, ,the latter generally speaking would prefer remaining in the district if they could get employment: they have been accustomed elsewhere to be able to procure Avork for a time, save a few pounds, and off to the diggings again. These men can be had in sufficient numbers' to do any government, work we are likely to have done here for some time to come; in the Summer time they will want to use pick and shovel on their--own account, and it would really be a boon to them, and the diggers to employ them in doing what must be done sooner or later, viz., improve the present, road to Slate River, and make one on the side of the Aorere to the Quartz Ranges. I see the government has advertised for tenders to make a road from Waitohi to the Wairau. It would have looked well if it also invited tenders to make a road or two in this district. I think a population importing at the rate of nearly £100,000 per annum, as this has recently done, is justified in asking for some consideration on this subject. I recommend the government to try the same plan at the Aorere as it has just adopted with Waitohi—-make roads, and your allotments will soon move off. You want Wairau mutton —you all need Aorere gold : encourage the diggers, and you will not be disappointed in the latter at any rate. We have not yet forgotten M'Kenzie's nugget from Appoo's Flat (M'Kenzie means lucky at Aorere), nor the magnificent quai'tz specimens from Bedstead—and when we consider the many varieties of gold obtainable in this district, there will be many a good haul yet. s The steamer takes about 200 ounces.