THE MATAKITAKI GOLD FIELDS.

Colonist, Volume VII, Issue 664, 8 March 1864, Page 3

THE MATAKITAKI GOLD FIELDS.

Ax experienced miner who has arrived from tho Matakitaki river, reports well of the diggings there. They preiont precisely tho same characteristics as those on the Molynoux river in Otago. The gold is very fine, but plentiful, and is being found from the junction of the Matakitaki and the Buller to at; least twenty miles up the former river. There are now about 200 miners on these diggings, spread in different parties over the distance mentioned. The gold, which is mixed more or less with iron sand, is so fine that it has to be caught in blankets as it leaves the sluice or the cradle.

The road from the junction of the Mangles. to the Matakitaki is now completed to within a couple of miles of the latter river, and we understand that the diggers are desirous of having a rough track cut up tho Matakitaki, which offers few obstacles, tho ground being comparatively level, and requiring no pick and shovel work, but simply a clearing. Tho foot-bridge over the Buller at the Mangles they also would like to see raised some six feet higher, and made fit for a horse to pass. We are informed that within the past month there have occurred two floods, which very nearly rose to the height of the bridge.

If >he Government have funds to form this track up the Matakitaki, and to make a horse-bridge over the Buller, it would be well spent money ; for this field, which has quietly been developing itself for the past half year, seems to be attractive and profitableBut we fear, from the state of the Treasury, that there will be difficulty in finding the means for such

a work.