FIELDS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2570, 12 September 1867, Page 3

FIELDS.

Tflfi following letter, addressed by Mr Jas. Mackay, jun., Native Commissioner, to Bis Hooor the Superintendent of Auckland, has been kindly handed to us for publication. As it contains an authentic description of the Thames gold fields, written at a later date, | its publication may serve to prevent disappointment among persons going there under delusive impressions : - Gold fields Office, Shortland, 31st August, 1867. Sir, — I have the Jjonor to inform you that after arranging generally with the natives to open up tor gold mining all tiie country from Kerita on the north, to Hikutaia on the south, and extending eastward to Mount Whakairi, and Tairua, and Whangamata, I commenced to arrange the various minor , questions of inter-tribal boundaries, reserves for cultivation, burial ground*, <ftc. Up tO| the present fitne, I have succeeded in opening up for immediate uce and occupation for gold mining, all the laud (with the exception of the Waiotahi Block) between the JC tuaeranga River on the south, and the Tuta stream on the norti.and extending inland to the Water-shed range. There are only two reserves for cultivation within this block, and five burial grounds. I have obtained one half of the disputed Waiotnlii Block, and hope to be in possession of the remainder in the course of a few days. The unfortunate death of the young chief Wiremu Paka, has prevented To Moanauui from assisting me in datiuing the reserves between the Tuta Ntreain and Korita ; but on his return from the funeral and tangi, this will be completed. Then the whole country to the north of Kauaerauga, with the exception of the necessary reserves, will be available for gold mining. The lands between Kauaeranga and Hikutaia will take some further time to arrange, owing to the conflicting interests of the natives, and the number of the reserves for residence and cultivation*! which will have to be laid oil' on the ground, to prevent disputes between the occupants and the miners. Te Him is not willing to have his lands at Ohiueumri thrown open to gold miners for tine present, but says he will watch the result of my proceedings. Tukukino, and the more violent of the Hauhau party, propose '' to light when the diggers reach Hikutaia, as the lands of the JNgatita-muteia commence to the south of that stream ;" and they say, " the Europeans will be sure to proceed to Oiioneiuuri, when they arrive within such a short distance of it." Te Hira slated that he thought tlio Europeans would confine their operations to the localities vvithiu which they were authorised to mine. There are at present between four and five hundred persons here, either mining for gold, administering to the wants of the miners, or following them. The number of miners' rights takeu out, to the present date, is one hundred and twenty nine. I would observe that no person has been compelled to take out a miners' right; and, therefore, none have been taken out by mere prosper tors, but onlj r by tlwse who have found, or suppose they have found, payable ciaims. Tiiero are at the present time about twenty persons engaged ad Publicans or Storekeepers. About fifty-six allotments have also boeu taken up in the town at' Suorllayd for business purposes. I have not yet compelled any person to lake out a " Business License," as I wished to encourage storekeepers in order to ensure competition, and permit the j miners to procure provisions. &l # , at the most reasonable prices. It is no \ my intention to call on all persons in business to p ocurc " Businc*s Licenses" as soo^u as possible alter the 2Jnd September, as £ think riulh'uient time has now lieeu given to them. Mining operation m«y be said t> have com iiciiced at Te Iviiaka on Ist August, i 1 1 c ground (inspected was urn of a highly aurilerous character; t»ut the miners were able to procure small grains of tine gold almost anywhere in it. This in my opinion would have paid tor ground-sluicing in sonic place*, and not in inhero. i'ue general desire, however, appeared tv be, to to tlie bed rock (Do torn) in hopes ol tin liny something Heavier. Owing to bad weather and tinwant of timber lor slabbing, this has not yet ben attained, and many parties after sinking to considerable depth (var)in.» li'O'M twenty to forty lid) abandoned the undertaking 1 believe, in nearly all cases, more or le>s ot tine gold was found from the surface down wards. About six parlies arc now sluicing at the JLirukii, and there is also i. company of twenty -tour' men formed to carry on deep sinking. On the 10th August, Messrs Hunt, Wuiie. and Ularkson discovered a very valuable red or leader from a reef, at J£ trauui. A rush look place to tlie spot, and several claims iiave been takeu up I here, 1 may mention that, on the 3Jth. M.v Al. B.irry and part), holding a claim aoove Hunt, struck wuat 1 believe to be tue main re»-f there. Tue quartz is solid, and the gold apparently ol a uetter quality than that found in Hunt's claim. Mr Tookey has struck n payable reef above the iVloauaiaiau stream, and Mr Boy il, who holds an adjacent claim, has also succeeded in Hutting a '.-outinuuiiou of the reef all the specimens are Mitisluctory. Mr Boyle and party have found a reef at IV K^rakti, but I am not in a position to report on its value, not having had time to inspect it. Mr Murphy, an old quartz miner well known it Coromandel, has also discovered a reef at/ore the H<ipe Stream ; he appears sanguine about ils being remunerative, but I cannot stale any particulars about it, not having yet Visited life ground, or seen specimens fr>m it. The condition of affairs generally is, 1 think, hopeful ; and considering that the whole proceedings have only been commenced one mouth, a id during that time the weather has been very uusettted and materially pro vented mining operations, the progress made) cannot be deemed unsatisfactory.— i have, Ac, Jamks Mackay, Juur., (Joumiidsiouer. His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland.