One Gold Ficlds.

Colonist, Issue II, 8 December 1857, Page 3

One Gold Fields.

COLLINGWOOD,

( . [from oub own correspondent.] 4th December, 1857In my last letter I promised to send you some information with reference to. the Quai'tz Ranges. This name is given to a tract of country extending from the Boulder River to the Clark River, a distance of at least 10 miles, as the crow flies. There are'about 130 diggers in this district. The average earnings. per diem for natives, is an ounce and a quarter to the party of 3or 4; for Europeans, the same, or a little more. The greatest amount I have yet heard of from the Ranges is 4 lbs in a week, but you must remember this is all surfacing:. It seems to be the opinion of all Californian and Australian diggers, that sinking on the Ranges will pay well, and during this summer that part of the country at any rate will be thoroughly tested. The greatest drawback the diggers have to contend with is the enormous price of all the necessaries of life. Mr. Washbourne, the most indefatigable man. in the country, has a store at the Boulder River; thither the poor diggers have had to come from the Ranges and hump their flour, 50 lbs. at a time, taking half a day coming, and another returning, arid no joke either. By the time-they get to their destination the flour is worth about .£IOO per ton, and other things in proportion. This expense will to a certain extent be reduced for the future, Mr. W. Washbourne having formed a perfectly level country on the left side of the Aorere River, and cut a track for bullocks, extending from opposite Doctor's Creek, below the Slate River, to opposite Doctor's Gully, at the Ranges, the Aorere having to be twice crossed in boats or drays. This track, although passing through a level country, is beyond the Companyfs survey, which only" extended to the neighbourhood of the Slate River, and the diggers in this district are so pleased with the discoverer, that to use a common expression, they swear by him. But one thing is certain, now the track is made, something more must be done; it will never answer any person to have a store at the Ranges if the goods are to be conveyed on pack bullocks from Doctor's Creek, and I maintain and challenge denial, that the great grumbling and cause of the return of so many men has been the difficulty of getting provisions, and when obtained, {lie enormous' price they cost. Here is a country, 10 miles at least in length, the breadth from the Aorere not yet ascertained, (parties, are working about 4 miles from that rivor) and there is not a digging population of 150. Six gullies are at present partially worked by the diggers. Gold can be got on all the Ranges, and experienced diggers tell you that the whole of the hills will pay for puddling or sluicing, hut provisions must be comatable without so much loss of time and money. In u&ing the term Quartz Ranges, it is not applied to the high range of hills forming the boundary of the Aorere Valley, hut to a country of much lower elevation, and, as remarked by those who have been there, of far more regular formation than any other part of this district. You cannot see a sample of gold from there that has not quartz with it. I was informed by a gentleman on whom I can depeud for correct information, that a party had driven about seven feet into a quartzTeef, and were doing well. I believe the diggers and residents in all parts of this district shortly intend to hold meetings respecting roads, in the first instance, and a member or two to represent them in the Provincial Council, in the second. With regard to the first, I assert that had roads or any other public works been progressing, the majority of those who have left here would not have done so. A stranger does not like to remain in a strange country when he is nearly hard up, especially if he has been disappointed in his expectations at first starting; was there something fo fall back upon to enable a man to put by a few pounds, and start again on the diggings, scarcely a man would leave us. If a sea wall was made from Gibbs' Flat to Collingwood, I believe it would pay for itself in the increased price the land joining the harbour would realize, without pretending to compare our infant town to the Empire City : I am told that the Government realized 40s. per foot profit on some land reclaimed at Wellington, but the main thing for the place is renovating the Slate River Road, and making one passable for drays through the. country explored by Mr. Washbourne. Massacre Bay has been for the last few months the mainstay of the Nelson Province. The quantity of gold sent from here to Nelson was a source of pleasure or anxiety to man}'; a few ounces less than usual caused many a rueful visage. We want, and we must have before long, a portion of the thousands of pounds received in one way or another from this district. The peojrle of Nelson may rely upon this, that though thei-e may have been apparent apathy on the part of the diggers respecting many matters, they merelywaited for settled Government, and now we have it, the Government must, or they will take the initiative in the various subjects affecting their, position as diggers. Subscriptions are being raised for the purpose of enabling parties to try deep sinking in various places in Bedstead Gully. A hole or two is to be sunk. I have just seen a nice nugget of about half-an-ounce from there; the party that found it have another weighing more than an ounce. On Appoo's Flat a hole is going down and profiting. By past experience the party at work are slabbing this time.