THE AUCKLAND GOLDFIELDS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 452, 14 January 1869, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND GOLDFIELDS.

We have lately published two letters from intelligent correspondents in Auckland, who certainly did not give a very lively account of the present condition of the Thames Goldfield. A third correspondent, who writes us on the sth inst, takes a more hopeful view of matters. He says : " I have been up at Shortland, but only at some of the claims. It would take me a long time to get all the correct information about them, but there is no mistake about the reefs. They are very rich ; and many of them will yet prove to be far richer than Hunt's. I saw VV W . He prospected a claim which will turn out the richest in Auckland—probably in the world; but, with his usual bad fortune, he lost his share in it. He was sold out of it some time ago for .£5. A trial crushing will be made in a few days, and report says it is the richest ever known, but poor W. is out of it. The claim is called "The Golden Crown," and you will likely hear by-and-by of the crushing. " I believe there will be a great rush up the Thames shortly. The Commissioner, MrM'Kay, has nearly completed arrangements with the Natives for the opening of the Upper Thames. The negociations have proceeded so far that he has already paid £IOOO in cash to the Chiefs who are in favor of opening up the country. Other £SOO will be paid in a few days. He then proceeds to the Waikato country, a distance of nearly a hundred miles, to complete arrangments with other Chiefs. If he succeeds in this mission, he will return to town, and in a day or two afterwards will declare the Upper Thames a gold-field. The moment this is done a tremenduous rush will take place, for there are 7000 men in Auckland, waiting for the opening of this new country. The rush will be large whether it is good or bad. If it proves to be a gold-field it will be the largest rush that New Zealand has yet seen. Great things are expected, but I am afraid thousands will be disappointed..

" Ever since I have been here—since the 26th ultimo—Auckland has been having a x'ound of holidays. The Japanese are drawing crowded houses, taking from £l5O to £2OO nightly. There is a theatre here also, wellfilled every night, and Madame Arna Bishop had. good houses during her stay.

" I am quite pleased with Auckland —a fine climate, and beautiful scenery. Small steamers run everywhere, at present crowded with passengers. There are two very smart boats—the " Royal Alfred" and the " Duke of Edinburgh," and another is expected daily—the " Luna " —which will steam fifteen miles an hour.