NELSON.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1689, 29 November 1861, Page 3

NELSON.

. By the ' Wonga Wonga/ we have re- "' oeived our usual, files of Nelson papers up to the 26th Inst. The following intelligence relative to. the Nelson Gold , Diggings will be read with interest. The Colonist of the 26th November, says : — " Some heavy coarse gold, garnished with some tempting-looking nuggets, one weighing only a few dwts. under two ouuces, the other about 1 oz. 12 dwts., arrived by the Gipsy from the West Coast last week; altogether 222 oz. 17 dwts., reaohed town by that vessel. From what we learn from one who ha 9 been six months at the Buller 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 1 fully prepared to spend at least six weeks at the outset in necessary prepa- ' rations, choice of looality, building a 1 canoe (oue of these to each party is an : indispensable requisite^, and other mat- . ters, there is a greater probability of disappointment being the predominant feeling than anything else. The passage up the Buller river is^ no 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 two rope, dipped under the water, the man who was in her had to swim for his life, and the whole of their provisions, tent, tools, „&_., to the amount of £30, were lost. This will serve to prove that muoh patience, time, and some expense will ooour probably before the ground can be ever tried. Another difficulty is said to be the want of water ; that is, creeks suitable for working at, leading into the main stream. Tbis objection may be obviated when appliances suitable to the character of the ground are brought to bear upon it ; but at present these plaoes are said to be few and far between, and' the obstacles therefore proportionately 'serious.! , Unbiassed by the statements of the unsuccessful, or the high coloring of the over sangauino, it is but fair' speculation to believe that this distript is well worthy the, research of the hardy digger, and , that ere long a development inferior to none of the known diggings in New Zealand will be attained."