THE AUCKLAND GOLDFIELDS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 391, 31 October 1868, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND GOLDFIELDS.

DESTITUTION IN AUCKLAND

MORE LAND OPENED AT THE THAMES.

By the arrival of the John Penn we are placed in possession of Auckland files to the 24th inst., from which we make the following extracts. The number of passengers brought back by her from that lately dazzling El Dorado say more than any number of homilies could do, as to the over-popu-lation of the North. We take the subjoined opening of a leading article published in the Auckland Herald of Saturday last, from which the state of that city may be guessed. Our contemporary says : —" If it be only for the sake of the sick and destitute, the sooner that the Provincial Council can be called together, after the return of

the Superintendent, the better. The present state of things must not be allowed to continue in a civilised community in the nineteenth century. We have tho poor amongst us ; women and children unable to assist themselves ; we have tho orphan and the sick, the latter of whom, for a time, become even more helpless than chddren, and to support these is a duty which evpry man owes to society. We have no right to say we will do so or not, as wo please, any more than we have a right to say that we will conform to tho law or not as we please. Communities insist, for the sake of mutual protection, on general conformity to a certain code of law ; so in the case of relieving the infirm and the sick and helplessly destitute, communities insist for mutual protection—for no man can say but the time will come when he will need assistance as much as any —that every one will become bound for the cost of maintaining those whom circumstances prevent from maintaining themselves." A rather more cheering item appears in reference to the Thames district, in a second edition of the Advertiser of the 23rd inst.:— " A special messenger arrived in town late last night from Ropata's place, Ohinemuri, and waited upon Mr Warden Broad this morning with a letter for Mr Commissioner Mackay, in the delivery of which he said there was no time to be lost. He informed Mr Broad that its contents had reference to the throwing open at once of Ropata's lands, and requesting Mr Mackay to come up and make arrangements without delay. A great meeting of the natives had been held, at which this course had been adopted. The letter will be forwarded to Mr. Mackay, in Auckland, by messenger, per first steamer this morning. We expect our special correspondent to return from the Upper Thames today, when we shall be enabled to place full particulars before our readers in to-morrow's issue."

The correspondent of the Herald writing from Shortland on the above date says : —" The Moanatairi is looking up. I have always been of opinion that the claims in the Creek would turn out well. The Star of the South yesterday struck another leader of some richness, being eighteen inches

thick, and running through the claim. This claim is under the operation of the Company's Act, and they have just received tenders for the making of a drive, which will add greatly to its development. Having seen the stone taken out, and knowing the claim, I can well say that the shareholders are indeed luckv.

I regret to say business is still dull, and no speculation. The Victoria Battery has been crushing for the Moariatari Cold Mining Company, better known as the Hobson Park claim. It is expected that the crushing will result in 3,500 ozs., of amalgam. I hope to send you further particulars.