COLLINGWOOD.

Wellington Independent, Volume 1671, Issue 1671, 1 October 1861, Page 5

COLLINGWOOD.

[prom our own correspondent,] September 10, 156 L. Since I last addressed you from this district very little change has taken place, everything remaining in a quiescent state. Our leaseholders are steadily working at their claims with tho usual variety of success— some doing remarkably well, others doing less, but all are being worked lo good profit for the outlay of labour expended upon them,

It would appear that tho large companies who were experjted to do so much good for the district havo all proved, to use the expressive term of diggers, ' shicers.' r Where are the golden hopes of lhe Nelson Company ? Where those ofthe Collingwood Compauy ? Where are the extensive works, vast amount of skilled labour, the expensive machinery, tho Jarge buildings that were to be erected by those extensive companies the Metallurgio, and its twin sister the Parapara Gold Mining Associations ? Echo answers, Where ! Alas, that so much time should have been wasted over that arithmetical question you allude to in your obituary, and which has taken so long to demonstrate. But the worst part of it remains to be told — the locking up of such large blocks of auriferous lands. Since the decision as regards the Metallurgio block has been announced, several applications have been lodged with the Resident Magistrate for leases varying from three up to thirty acres, evidently showing that the workiug diggers are not afraid to commence operations on ground that has been surrendered by a company that had the block tested aud experimented upon by parties sent from the old country for the sole purpose. lam also aware of several other applications ready to be put forward as soon as the other block is surrendered.

Had these immense blocks been open to private enterprise a different result would have been shown, and I may safely state that good wages would have been going instead of the pitiful six and seven shillings per day. It is not, I trust, too late yet, aud as the summer passes over we may see the Parapara yielding its golden harvest in the same ratio as the other parts of the Aorere diggings. I am glad to inform you that the application for leases is constantly going on, aud that portions of the district hitherto supposed to be not payable are becoming tbe most valuable.

I hear of a good nutnbor who are anxious to take a trip to the West Coast could they procure hands capablo of working their olaims during iheir absence. We shall soon be in want of labourers to enable the lessees to fulfil the condition of the leases.

Can you inform us what is doing relative to tbe blazing of the track by the Aorere river to tho beach at the Heaphy river ? There are many here who would prefer .travelling through the distriot on foot, to going by sailing vessel, and aro waiting for the track being opened up. There are doubtless between this and the pass at Whakapohui many spurs and gullies that would be prospocted j there is no limit as to whore the gold is to bo found, if properly looked for.

I sco the General Government have now handed over the gold-fields to the Superintendent of tha Province I trust we shall reap the benefit, as we have now been quite long enough iv the enjoyment of the interregnum.

We have had another fatal accident in the Slate river, by drowning; a young lad, called Walter Jennings, having fallen out of a boat. An inquest was held on the body to-day, when a verdict of accidental death was returned j the remains wore interred at the Collingwood cemetry this day. The unfortunate youth was

only, fourteen years old. The father returned home from Nelson about a fortnight ago. You will see by the returns that, though our population has so much .decrcasod, the usual amount of gold (and in some instances an excess) is brought over to Nelson.

Tbere is a report current here that the sieamor Tasmanian Maid is to be placed on tbe berth between the Buller .and Nelson.

P.S. —I can hardly say when you will receive this, as the overland post is anything but regular in the day of-arrival.