NELSON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 271, 5 December 1861, Page 4

NELSON.

Wanoap-ejca Diggings —Wehavc lately beep led to make -inquiries . respecting these diggings, as. the season is now advancing in which we might look iof some of the golden results anticipated for some time after their discovery ; results which were iqarred, however, by the long and unusually wet winter- just passed, and iso by the fact that a large number of Those who. would have tried their fortune there have left for the more enticing prospects hold out by our southern neighbours at Otago, ' The answers to. our inquiries are, we r- ro glad to say, decidedly encouraging, '.from sources that may be depended on we learn that, although there aye only (..bout fifty diggers now at work in the district, the majority of these may be com • idered as doing very well, an evidence of which is, that they are paying their way regularly. In Blue creek there are about ten or t welve men, said to be averaging an ounce oer day per man. ' In Rolling river and Nuggetty creek about the same number of men ; those in •; br* former place avei’aging twenty-five to - hirty shillings per day, and in the latter making very good wages. ' In the Batten! river about the same number are at work ; the members of one party each making ten to .fifteen shillings per day, and. the rest prospecting with favourable results.

On.the Tadmore range, about five parties are now at woi’lc, probably from fifteen to eighteen men in all. One party of four are said to be making two ounces per day, and another very good wages. The rest are. prospecting and preparing to set in immediately. This locality, namely, the dividing range between the Tadmore and Sherry rivers, promises to turn put very rich in gold. We have heard it asserted that as much as one ounce of gold has been obtained from four barrow-loads of stuff. The diggei’s, however, haye to contend with one difficulty, which is that sufficient water is not obtainable for the working of the ground so profitably"as it might be. . ,It appears, however, that it is in contemplation, by a strong party, to. remedy this deficiency by conveying water for a ?nile or- two from a high level, by a flume or lead, to the spot where the gold is found in greatest abundance ; and, should this be successful, we have no doubt that it will lead to this range being thoroughly searched and prospected during the ensuing summer; a comparatively easy task, from its nearness and accessibility, as compared with the country aronncl Blue creek and the adjoining diggings. We have also been informed that a

quantity of the land laid off as a township by Mr. Oliver in Motueka valley has been sold, amounfingtolooo acres, &' that other parties are still looking opt for suitable localities in the suiTQuqding : neighbourhood. An impulse having been thus given to the settlement of this district, we hope that it may lead to the speedy establishment of a complete community, the proegress of which will be materially assisted by the presence of a probably numerous gold-digging population, which there appears every reason' to* believe will yet find steady and profitable employment in the surrounding country.— Examiner, Nov. 23. West Coast Diggings. — Some heavy coarse gold, garnished with some tempt-ing-looking nuggets, one weighing only a few dwts. under two ounces, the other about 1 oz. 12dwts,, arrived by the Gipsy from the West Coast last week \ altogether 222 ozs. 17 dwts. reached town by that vessel- From what we learn from one who has been six months at the Duller and adjacent places, we have no cause to alter the opinion we have so often expressed of the value of the district as a gold-field after the first difficulties have been mastered, but unless those who proceed there are fully prepared;to. spend at least six weeks at the outset in necessary preparations, choice of locality, building a canoe (one of these to .each

party is an indispensable requisite) apd qther matters, there is a greater probability of disappointment being the predominant feeling than anything else. The passage up the Buller river is nq child’s play; a short time since two men well known in Nelson, were tracking a canoe up the river, when, upon approaching the falls, the nose of the boat, probably by the strain of the tow rope, (lipped under the water, the man who was ip her had to swim for his life, and che whole of their provisions, tent, tools, (be., to the amount of 30/, Avere lost. This will serve to proA'e that much patience, time,, and some expense Avill occur probably before the ground can be even tried. Another difficulty is said to be want of water ; that is, creeks suitable for working at*, leading into the main stream. This objection maybe obviated Avhen appliances suitable to the character of the grquqd are brought to bear upon it; bait at presoiit these places are said to be feAv and far between, and the obstacles thc.rofpye proportionately serious. Unbiassed by the statements of the unsuccessful, or the high colouring of the over sanguine, it is. hut fair speculation to believe that this district is ’.veil 'worthy the research of the hardy digger, and that ex*e long, a development inferior, to hbne of the known diggings in New Zealand -will be attained.- A'" cl son Colonist, Nov. 20. The Superintend excy. —The nomination of candidat.o3 for the- Superinteudency takes place in the Provincial Hall, on, Saturday next, at noon. The only gentlemen who, at present, have addressed the electors, offering tliemselve.s for the office, are Mr. Robinson, the Superintendent, and Mr-, Wrey, but Ave hear that Mx*. Barnieoat will be likeAvise nominated, that gontlemaiJhaving consented to stand. —Nelson Examiner, Nov. 27. Death op Ii Baubxere.—We have to record the death -of the thoroughbred horse II Barbiere, the first NeAv Zealand bred horse foaled in this Island, if not the first foal ever dropped in it. II Barbiere’s dam Avas imported to Ncav Zealand at the end of 1841, or the beginning qf 1842, by H. A. Thompson, Esq., a gentleman who met liis dentil in June, 1843, at the Wairau massacre. Figaro Avas his sire. He Avon races both on the Wellington and Nelson course. He was used as a stud horse at different times, at Wellington, Otago, and Nelson, and he Avas a second time south-bound last month, by the mail steamer; and it Avas in swimming- from the vessel to the shore, at Port Chalmers, that he took cold, Avhich led to his death. Sale of Fat Stock.— A small droA’e of fat steers, from Mr. Elliot’s run, at TJpoot, Fairfield DoAvns, wei*e submitted to auction at Stoke, on Wednesday last, arid realised an average price of <£l3 4s. Bd. each. The heaiiest of the lot weighed, Avhen clean, 1,136 lbs., after a journey of nearly 200 miles, and was declared by many judges to be the primest beef ever exhibited in Nelson.