THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1872. NOTES OF THE MONTH.

Colonist, Issue 1567, 27 September 1872, Page 4

THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1872. NOTES OF THE MONTH.

The Tansfor in the Mumbai.

■&?£_■■■■'.-*.. ,v^-*L^4*^^^^-^^l„ I ■uluufi -»u...-irf.... uu. j» ..1 w rr_liA—. -jiftVittffl^.iw k V A*rfMr*rnirry^J-a** -* 'fflnehiHSr^ is _H4* di-awbatik to tbe advancd* ment o_ these dUtHcta. The clatnia that have been tried prove, beyond all doubt, that the working of the reefs will pay handsomely to those willing to risk their capital in mining speculations. Some reference to these reefs will be found in another part of to-day's issue. The. alluvial diggings of this Province, Otago, and Westland still continue to give good returns ; and in many parts of these goldfields miners are making good wages. The reefs at tho Thames (Aucklaud Province) yielded durincr the nine months ended March last, 171,825 ounces of gold from 59,884 tons of quartz crushed; and the Coromandel reefs, in the same Pro-mice, during the year ended March .3 Lst, 1872, gave 27,285 ounces from 4797 tons of stone. On September 19th, 8125 ounces of gold, valued at £30,005, were shipped at Auckland by the s.s. Hero for Sydney. During the last few weeks some miners have left this Colony for the new goldfields in Queensland, and in the Northern Territory of South Australia. More will be found on auother page in reference to these new diggings. The Bill for reducing the duty on gold from 2s. 6d. to 2s. per ounce, has passed the House of Kepresentatives in Committee, and it is expected to come into operation on the Ist January next year. There are several proposals before the Government for some large works for provisioning various goldfields with a constant water supply. If these works are executed, no doubt many of our diggings will give remunerative employment to a large population for years to come. THE SUPERINTENDENCY. One of the consequences of the change in the Ministry is the probability that there will be an election for Superintendent of this Province. Numerous gentlemen have teen named as probable candidates, although, none have yet declared themselves aspirants for the position. A requisition is being got up. in Nelson to Mr. A. Saunders, now si, resident in Canterbury, but who, some year^' ago, filled the position of Superintendent of Nelson with credit to himself and considerable satisfaction to the people. Mr. Luckie, M.H.R., appears to have had a similar attention paid to him on the West Coast, where signatures are being largely attached ; but, as we have said above, no one, as yet, has made any direct movement personally to discover his ambition; and we are not surprised at the hesitation, considering that no resignation has been intimated by the present holder, Mr. Curtis, who, it appears, is not going to kick away a very useful stool until there is greater assurance of a secured seat elsewhere than the aspect of affairs in the House at present promises. The other aspirants have not advanced so far on the way to the much desired goal as the two we have mentioned, so it is not necessary to name them here. The probabability is that there will not be any election at all, but that Mr. Moorhouse will be returned for Mount Egmont and, together with some repentant members, will so strengthen the hands of the Opposition that those adventurous spirits who have accepted office will be glad to return to their quiet homes and usual duties.