THE AUCKLAND GOLDFLELDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 116, 26 September 1868, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND GOLDFLELDS.

— » — The following letter, received by a gentleman in Christchurch from a friend who recently left this city for the Auckland goldfields, has been kindly placed at our disposal for publication. It is dated Shortland, Sept. 12:— Dear — — ,— I must apologise for being so long in writing, but I thought it was little use doing so till I knew something of the place. I have been here nearly five weeks, during the first fortnight of which everyone was very unsettled on account of the races, which were got up to celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the goldfleld. (Jf course the races did not occupy much of the time, but the claims being protected, the diggers took a lons time to settle down to their work. Since the* races I have been busy, as far an the bad weather would permit, in building a hut on a claim in which I have an interest. As Shortland is not marked on the maps, I may as well tell you it is situated at the head of the Frith of Thames, on the east side, and ab'jufc f'jrty miles from Auckland. It presents the usual appearance of a new digging town, the mud in the streets being as deep as in any. There are not nearly so many public houses as in Hokitika, a fact accounted for by the scarcity of money. As this is entirely a quartz-mitiing goldfleld, people have to spend all their money in working their claims, and the returns are not very quick, as most of the claims, after fl-ey strike gold, have to wait till machinery is erected near them. The miners leave work at 12 on Saturdays, and come to Shortland. On the (whole, they are very orderly ; and well it is so, as there are only three policemen, who take very little notice of the fights which are sure to occur on Saturday nigbts. Business in the town is over-done ; sharebroking and mining agencies appear to be the favourite occupations of people wanting to start in business. Everything here is remarkably cheap ; most things

cheaper than in Christchurch. People can live on their claims for 13s to 15s perweek. All meals in the restaurants are \e 6d. Wages are £2 per week. The principal mines are in the spurs of the hills near the town, but there are others — Puriri, about twelve miles up tbe Thames, and Tapu (since called Hastings) fifteen miles along the coast to the North. Some of the claims are remarkably rich, shares being worth from £2000 to £3000. As I shall not be able to write to — , perhaps you will be kind enough to inform him and all enquirers, that I think that people with anything like a permanent situation had better remain where they are, especially married men, as at present this is a most wretched place to bring a wife to ; it rains nearly every day, and you cannot go about without being half way up to the knees in mud. For men who are doing nothing in Christchurch, they may as well come, as living is cheap, and they will be ready to take advantage of opportunities, but by all means let them bring as much money as they can, as they may have chances of buying cheaply into claims in good localities, vtoney is very much wanted here for the purchase of machinery.