LATEST NEWS FROM AUCKLAND AND THE THAMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 111, 21 September 1868, Page 2

LATEST NEWS FRO M AUCKLAND AND THE THAMES.

* By the Alhambra, which arrived on Saturday, we have our Auckland, Nelson and Marlborough files. We give the more important items of news. The New Zealand Herald of the 2nd i'lStant estimates the quantity of gold now in the Auikland banks from the Thames is from 10,000 to 12,000 ounces. The breakdown in the case of Uunl'd machine, and the wet weather, which lias impeded the progress of mining works, amply accounts for the small quantity of gold. The amount exported this month will, therefore, not be as much as might have been expected. Nevertheless, those acquainted with the rough nature of the country at the Thames district will hardly be surprised even at the returns for the month, considering the frightful weather. Quarlz and alluvial gold are said to have bet-n found in the vicinity of Opotiki. That Ilangariri will yet turn out a payable gold field, we (iV. Z. Herald) have little

doubt, if it onl»' succeeds in obtaining a thorough trial; bat tii«re is even greater and speedier certnintv of nn extensive goldfleld being opened up iiigb.fr up the Waikato. The land belongs to tbe natives, but they are willing to throw it open to European enterprise. Exceedingly ricli (sione has been found at Matamata The N.Z. JhrnUl sars : — There is a population of 15,0 -so persons at the Thames. The grand future of the goidfield, and that which must be tbe most i-heorin;* to every one of us, is tbe fact that a population of fifteen thousand souls has found room for itself upon only the thirty-fourth porti m of auriferous souutry thr.-wi: open for selection, and that there remninu fully ('•vice ns much a :iferous country n.:j:icent yet in the hands of the nutives to be opcnid ere long to European enterprise. the country already opened comprises some 700 square miles, the area acfu.il }y occupied by claims not more Ihun between 15 and 16 square miles, while those occupying the area have faith in the permanency of the goldfield. The nmnoy invested in the purchase of portion* of shares in claims already discovered, Auckland money principally, amount? >o 4 sum of £80,000 ; the value of the permanent irojiden buildings at the Thames is estimated at. £50.000 ; and the machinery unw erected, and in course of erection, has cost some £38,000. Sur:h figures m these will prore what the Auckland people themselves think of iheir goldfleld. A ton of quartz from one of the leaders in the Port Waikato Claim. Kurunui Nange, was crushed ac the Karmmi Battery, and showed a yield ot^. oz 14 dwt of retorted gold. was the intention of his Lordship the Bißbop of New Zealand und l.ichfleld to proceed to the Buy >f Ishnds by the missionary schooner (uttiern ('ro»i, on a pa«tornl visit to that district ; the Bishop, howiver, found that a i?rt-at. amount of busings lay before him, and that hiu sny in New Zealand being mn-essarily limited, would not admit of him vi itinjf tbe Bay. Tbe Southern s.'ross will therefore proceed direct to Norfolk Islnnd. to briuß Bishop Pattcsi^n. The Bishop of No<v Zcahinii conteniplut'.-s a return to his diocese of Lichfield by the. "iuz muil, leaving Sydney at the end of October.