MARLBOROUGH.

Colonist, Volume VII, Issue 676, 19 April 1864, Page 3

MARLBOROUGH.

The Marllorougii Press of the 16th instant,

says:—

We cannot too strongly impress upon the minds of the inhabitants generally of this province, the very great importance of this discovery, the indicated locality possessing as it does every reasonable facility of approach from all portions of this province. I< rom Picton the easiest and most accessible route for parties visiting the Wakaniarina would be first by boat to the Grove, a distance of about eight miles, thence overland aloug for the greater portion of the distance a good bridle-track to Havelock, about eleven miles, and from Haveloek to the crossing" place in the "Wakamarina river, the distance would be about seven and a half miles further, whilst six miles further up the river would be about the spot where Wilson's party was working.

From Blenheim there is a good sound bridle track the whole distance to the Wakamariua river, following the overland route of the Kaituna valley to Nelson. The distance by this route would ba about 42; miles.

The nature of the country in the locality where the gold was discovered is nearly all bush, while the land is hilly, but not to such an extent as to prevent, we understand with little difficulty, the cutting of a good bridle track that might be used by pack horses. Doubtless before this there are a considerable number of diggers from Kelson and other parts already at work; and we may expect almost hourly to receive further information, the facts of which we shall immediately lay before our readers.

ANOTHER APPLICATION FOR THE BONUS,

Since the publication of the foregoing, on Thursday last, we have, through the courtesy of the Superintendent, been put in possession of the appended correspondence from Mr. Wilson's party, relative to the claim they have lodged for the reward offered by the Government of this province, for the discovery of a payable gold-field. His Honor informs us that he was in the Pelorous on the 4th instant, on which occasion Mr. "Wilson told him that he and a party were about to start on a prospecting expedition, either on that or the succeeding day. We boJieve that it is the intention of the Superintendent to proceed to the "Wakamarina this morning, in order to make temporary arrangements, until such time as he may have had an opportunity of communicating with the General Government, relative to obtaining the necessary authority to enable him to proclaim the a gold field, should h,e d,eem. i% advisable ; ~«

" Pelorous Valley, • " April 10th, 1864. Sib, —"We, the undersigned, claim the discovery of a workable gold-field, within the Province of Marlboroiigh. The said gpld-field is situated on the "Wakamarina river, in the Pelorous District; and, though we have not had time to prospect it thoroughly, we are induced to forward this application from having found gold in several parts of the said river, and having found a quantity in one place, such as must cause a rush if it were generally known. We cannot state exactly the amount of gold procured by us, but estimate that we have got from sixteen to eighteen, ounces, as the result of two days' work. "We have forwarded' the gold to Nelson, to be sold-at the Union Bank of Australia, and will enclose a certificate of the weight at the same time that this application is despatched. "We intend proceeding up the river again tomorrow^ and hope to be able to give more definite information at the end of the week, if the weather should continue favorable.

." The bar on which we have worked for the last two days is situated about five or six miles from the junction of the Wakamarina and Pelorus rivers, and there is no difficulty to contend with iv the formation of a track, the land along the bank of the river on the eastern and southern sides being chiefly stony tableland, covered with rimu and tawa, and very little underwood. " "We would also beg to be informed what the regulations as to claims might be, and to how much.ground we are entitled, as the prospectors of a new field.

" We have the honour to be, sir, " Tour obedient servants, " GrEORGE KuTLAND, "Joshua Borland, " Hiram William: Harris, " John Wilson. " To Thomas Carter, Esq., . " Superintendent of the " Province of Marlborou«-h "

Thefollowing is the certificate alludedto:— " Union Bank of Australia, " Nelson, 12th April, 1864. " Dear Sir, —I beg to acknowledge receipt of parcel of gold from you, which I have weighed, and find to contain 18 ozs. 14 dwts. 10 grs., say eighteen ounces fourteen pennyweights ten grains. "I consider it a most beautiful sample, being apparently perfectly clean, and free from iron sand. " I am, dear sir, " Yours faithfully, " E. W. M. Antill, " Manager. " H. W. Harris, Esq."

His Honour the Superintendant, we are informed, has replied to the above, and stated that the claim has been duly registered. J °

Up to the time of going to press this (Friday) evening, we have heard no other authentic intelligence from the "Wakamarina, although a report was in circulation to-day, emanating from some parties who arrived, from Mahakipawa, that just before leaving two men had arrived there, one of whom was stated to have in his .possession twelve ouncesof gold, obtained at the "Wakamarina, and which he was going to take into Picton. A party of four started from Picton on Thursday last, by boat to the Grove, and thence overland; three others also left, taking the partly formed bridle-track from Picton to Mahakipawa. Yesterday several more left, and there are others who will in all probability leave to-day.

THE GOLD FEVER Itf BLENHEIM,

No sooner was the news received in Blenheim of the discovery of gold—not this time in the gizzard of a duck—at the Pelorus, than great excitement prevailed, and our office was beseiged on the afternoon of Wednesday, with persons anxious to obtain a copy of the Marlborough Press, which was certain to contain the latest and authentic news of the diggings. Owing to the favorable news then and previously received, s> large number of persons have started, chiefly on horseback, with a view of acquiring ocular demonstration of the quantity and quality of the gold in the above locality. More are projecting an immediate departure, and there appears a very great chance of Blenheim being almost deserted. About sixty persons may safely be estimatad to have left Blenheim since the news arrived, many of whom iutend to try their luck, and let us hope they will not be disappointed. Small knots of persons may daily be seen in various parts of the town—in which there now appears to be some life—eagerly discussing the all-important subject of newlyfound diggings, whilst some of the implements of gold-digging are conspicuously displayed outside some of the shops. 12 ozs. were taken to Picton yesterday.

LATEST FROM THE WAKAMARINA GOLD-FIELD

• The latest intelligence from this quarter received this (Saturday) morning, just as we were going to press, is. to the effect that there are over 200 diggers already on the field, whilst many more are expected hourly. Several of our townsmen leavo Blenheim to-day, whilst a rush from Picton is expected on the receipt of further favorable no,vs. The Superintendent and Mr. John O'SnL livan leave this morning, and we have despatched a reporter with the view ot acquiring full particulars respecting the gold field, which will be published from time to time as circumstances will permit.

Flax.—The Wakatip Mail of the 2nd, says :— We had the pleasure of inspecting several bundles or hanks prepared by our well-known townsman Mr. Procter, from our native flax here. There can be no doubt that the gentleman in question has satisfactorily solved the problem of both economically and effectively dressing this very plentiful substance. One of tho largest bundles had been growing in the morning and yet was dried and fit for the combers' machine. The color was also excellent, having that slight greenish shade so much esteemed by linen and cordage manufacturers. Mr. Procter informs us that the method is very simple, that he uses no acids, and with the aid of a machine worked by water power, will be able to work up 10 to 12 tons weekly. The discoverer does not intend, however, he informs us, to apply for the Government reward, but if the samples meet the approval of tho Commissioners, he proposes to disclose his plan of dressing the flax upon receiving a bonus in the shapeof land. Several bundles of this flax as prepared by Mr. Procter, will shortly be forwarded to Duuedin and Invercargill, and in the meantime those interested in the development of this branch of industry, have the opportunity oi an. inspection, afforded them by calling at the es< ,ot% iuventor,