THE NELSON GOLD FIELDS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume VII, Issue 327, 6 November 1858, Page 3

THE NELSON GOLD FIELDS.

Collingwood, October 21, 1858.

The customs returns of this port, for the quarter ending 30th ultimo, speak well for the state of the country. Although it may truly be termed the winter quarter, still our export of gold amounts to over £12,000 : this is the amount that comes to the knowledge of the customs here ; how much is exported privately no one can tell. When the Gold Regulations come into force we shall ascertain correctly, as no doubt the tax of 2s. Gd. per ounce will be made payable here alone, seeing that it is to be expended in this district. The imports were above £8,000 ; the various items of New Zealand produce amount to nearly one-half of this sum, and include all kinds of vegetables, eggs, butter, lard, meat, cheese, bacon (22,000 lbs.), beer, live cattle, sheep, hoises, &c, &c. There will probably be at least 50 tons of bacon wanted this season ; lam afraid very little of this can be depended on from our province. I hope the farmers will look out in time for next curing season. It don't take many pigs to make a ton of bacon ; and I dare say a few ounces of gold would come acceptable to many just now. I should imagine they can compete with Taranaki or Whanganui. Something will be done locally towards supplying our own wants j it is quite time we gave over paying through the nose for cabbages, cauliflowers, &c, from Motueka. Some land similar to that described on the map as the swampy plain, has been ploughed up recently ; and, judging from the healthy appearance of patches of clover and grass one sees, will make first-rate pasture land ; and as there are thousands of acres of it, it is worthy the attention of any person requiring cheap land, with that which is not always attainable, a cash market for their produce. I regret to see your Takaka correspondent talking about the diggers preparing for their summer campaign. Now, it is notorious that if ever there was a "shicer," the rush to Anatoki proved one, and the residents in that neighbourhood know this right well j how many diggers have been lost to the province, and how much they sufl'ered themselves, is also best known to themselves. But many in Nelson will remember the fine fellows from Melbourne and elsewhere, who would have got gold if it was to be had by working for it. Anatoki was the first place they went to, and it was the last many of them went to in New Zealand. — Correspondent of the Nelson Examiner.