WANGAPEKA DIGGINGS.

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

WANGAPEKA DIGGINGS.

From the Nelson Examiner Nov. 23. We have lately been led to make inquiries respecting these diggings, as the season is now advancing in which we might look for some of the golden results anticipated for some time after their dis- . covery.; results whioh were marred, however, by the long and unusually wet winter just passed, and also by the fact that a large number of those who would have tried their fortune there have left for the . more enticing prospeots held out by our southern neighbours at Otago. The answers to pur inquiries are, we are glad to say, deoidedly encouraging. From sources that may be depended on we learn that, although there are only about fifty diggers now at work in the district, the majority of these may be oonsidered as doing very well, an evidence of which is that they are paying their way regularly. In Blue creek there are about ten or twelve men, said to be averaging one ounce per day, per man. In Rolling river and* Nuggetty Creek about the same number of men ; those in the former place, averaging twenty-five to tnirty shillings per day, and in the latter making very good wages. In the Batton river about the same number are at work; the members of one party each making ten to fifteen shillings per day, and in the latter making very good wages. The rest are prospecting and preparing to set in immediately. This locality, namely, the dividing range between the Tadmore and rivers, promises to turn out very rich in gold. We have heard it asserted that as much as one ounce, of gole has been obtained from four barrow-loads of stuff. The diggers, however, have to contend witb one difficulty, which is that suffioient •water is not obtainable for the working of - the ground so profitably as it might be. It appears, however, that it is itt con- * templation, by a strong party, to remedy ; this deficiency by conveying water for a mile or two from a higher level, by a flume or lead, to tbe spot where tbe gold V is found in greatest abundance;, and, "should this be suooessful, we have no doubt that it will lead to: tbis range being

3 thoroughly, searched ; and prospected flur 3 ln'gthe ensuing summer; a comparative^ easy task, from its nearness and accessi- . bilily, as compared with the couhtrj [ around Blue creek and the "adjoining , diggiugs. • ■ j | • We have also, been informed that a i quantity of the iand laid off as a township ! by Mr. Oliver in. Motueka valley has been i sold, amounting. to 1,600 acres, and that 1 other parties 'are still looking 1 odt for suit- ' 'tible 0 Idealities 'lii th;^' surrounding ijejghbourhood. „ • ,'. An impulse having been thus givon, to the settlemeutof tbis district, we hope that may lead to the speedy establishment .of jt .complete i oommunity, the, progress; of which will be materially assisted by the ipreseuce of a .probably numerous golddigging population, which there appears every reason to believe will yet find steady and employment ;iu the surrounding country. -: *••• ■'■•■-■ • ■•• West Coast Diggings. — The sohooner Gipsy arrived on Thursday, last from the Buller river,, with by far the most favourable intelligence we have yet received of the gold prospeots on the West Coast. Our correspondent's letter furnishes only a portion of the information which has reached us, which is all of a most encouraging nature. The nuggetty character of the gold now being obtained there favors the idea of the richness of the field, and in one lot of forty ounces which we have seen of large coarse gold, there was a nugget weighing 1 oz. 17 dwts,, and another 1 oz. 12 dwts. A private letter says (the writer of which is a highlyrespectable man), " I do believe the Buller will turn out richer than the Otago diggings. There are only twenty-three Europeans at work there, and no ono makes less than £l per day. — Examine)', Nov. 23.