THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

West Coast Times, Issue 1289, 9 November 1869, Page 2

THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

(From a Correspondent of the Wanganui Times.) Dear Sir — T would have written to you ere now, as promised, but after spending a few days here in meeting several friends, I went to the Thames, like all other new comers; and was agreeably disappointed to see the large town of Gaaham's Town "in such a short time." It put me in mind of the good old days of Melbourne. But on the other hand was sadly disappointed on viewing the different prospecting localities, seeing so many people idle and so few at work. From reports, a person before leaving Wanganui might expect, after the heavy rains we have had here, to see the streets sprinkled with gold, " if not paved with large quartz bearing gold." Ah, but this is not the case, and even the good kind-hearted digger is not in a position to give a friend a hearty welcome, as we have seen in the good old times. On landiug at Graham's Town wharf, you are surrounded with more scrip than either quartz or gold, iv the nands of people of different grades -and colors (i. c.) old and young, rich and poor, engaged in this " reputed lucrative business, and not uncommon to observe the showman, the manipulator of the organic bumps, as well as an ex-minister of state, engaged in thi6 bubble of enterprise. Also another class not less conspicuous in the arena, according to their number is the man that used to be in long robes a few months ago, advising the wanderer to search and look after the "gold," ths*t would not perish, is found now-a-daya in the midst of sharebrokew and the legal managers, and wishes to be instructed by instead of instructing those dangerous bodies. The above class are found in Graham's Town, Shortlsnd, as well as in the streets of Auckland, lanes and - by-ways, " like the thimble-riggers " seeking whom they may devour. Should you see any of those "legal managers" and scripholders prowling about your district I trust that you will warn your readers to be aware of them for fear that they may be entrapped into their snares. Those that can afford to buy scrip let them come and judge for themselves. Legal managers and scrip holders are, and have been, the greatest drawback to the diggings, if not a curie to a well-to-do community, *nd if not checked in time,

will force many to take shelter under th? wings of Judge Arney at head quartern In order to show you the nature of scrip, and the value attached to it in nineteen cases out of twenty, an old kindly friend offered me 4000 scrips to sell — I was to have one-half of the proceeds and my expenses paid. I was obliged to refuse it from the fear that the expenses might exceed the principal. Besides, I could not insist or induce my friends to invest in. such a floating capital as tho-^c submerged claims along the beach, as well as on the top of the great ranges, where none would venture to climb unless he was a great mountaineer or an able seaman. Such as c the cha»ces and offers made to people at a distance.

Having said so mnch about the Thames goldfields, allow me to advert to some other topics. Grahamston is a large town,, as I mentioned, and called after theproprietor, Mr R. Graham. I ?ay he is the proprietor, because it is a leasehold and if the diggings will fail, all the properties will fall into his own hands for the ground rent. Mr Graham is forming another township, at Taraua Point, about two miles from Grahamstown, and by all appearance will be the best of the two for commerce, as they can bring ordinaryvessels to the wharf, " lately constructed by Mr Graham." Shortland belongs to that philo-Maori M'Kay, who has been a traitor to the welfare of New Zealand, like a good many of his clas9, " Maori interpreters," who, no doubt, to a great extent was the cause of much bloodshed and the ruin of many industrious families in that district. Yesterday was the nomination day for a Superintendent for this province, you are aware that Dr. Pollen was in the field for the last two months, as the champion for centralism, but much to the hurt and dignity of the hon. gentleman he was obliged to give way at the eleventh hour. He was afraid to make his appearance on the hustings. His party put Mr Gillies forward who is considered to belong 111 1 noparty, but to six and ci htpence. Nothing will go down with the diggers but provincialism, there are so many of thf Westland boys here who are dead against the County system and its dodgery. It seems that Capt. M'DonneH's gold discovery is not either in Hawke's Bay or Wellington provinces, for which I am very sorry, for two reasons, viz. : — -Those provinces will not reap a direct interest atid M'Donnell will not get the reward, but no doubt the Government will remunerate him for his trouble. The Defence Minister is still up here, and seems to he very popular amongst black and white ; and as long as he is seen in Queen-street, the fear of Te Kooti and Tito Kowaru is not known, wl.ich was very different when his predecessor was in office. A person in Wanganui might think that the gallant Colonel Haultain was haunted in all directions by those celebrated cannibals. Your friend Mr Anderson, of the Independent is up here. A few articles of his put some life' in the Auckland journals since he came, I trust he will get on. He cannot be self-reliant here. Cattle and sheep are down in value, and the people of Wanganui should not be so keen in sending so many which is not real beel'. The graziers and the farmers there had better times of it-than the dealers, A good many cattle that were sent up from there in the shape of beef, are y^t unsold in the hands of different graziers in the vicinity of Auckland, I trust that your gold-field will turn out well, if so, I shall make tracks back again, as I do not like the climate of Auckland.