THE KITIKI GOLD FIELDS.

Evening Post, Issue 41, 27 March 1865, Page 2

THE KITIKI GOLD FIELDS.

The Lyttelton Times of the 14th, in its summary for Europe, refers to the Okitiki rush thus : — " Our latest accounts from the g<»2<2 field itself are to the. 7th instant j by sea. We have had an opportunity of obtaining private and reliable information. The rivers, portions of which have been found auriferous, flow at intervals of from three to eight miles, for some forty miles 1 1 >ng the coast, southward from the Grey. Every river and sfream appears to possess «;oM ,• but thai; which is found eiose down to the beach is invariably fine, and the real diggings commence a few miles up. There may be from 2000 to 3000 men now on the field altogether, and the largest gathering at the time of our latest news was on the Wainiea or • Six Mile Creek, which falls into the ocean between the Teremakau and Arahura. Parties are spread all about, and it is hard to say to what pnrticular quarter the principal diggings will belong. On the Arahura and Okitiki, and thence to the Totara, parties are vigilantly prospecting amongst the main hills whence the rivers issue. We know of no actual discoveries of gold in paying quantities south of the Totara river ; but accounts brought recently by the Maoris seem to indicnte the spread of the diggings more southerly still. So much for the longitudinal extent of the field at present, its breadth is another matter. Last week three new rushes were reported; one to the left hand branch of the Arahura; another to the north of the Grey, where gold of a peculiarly course character was reported to be found ; and the third was not, exactly known. ¦ Besides these places, and those before-mentioned, the Green-

stone Creek (on the Teremakau) U considered to be a paying and profitable river; and dry weather would afford a chance of fairly testing this and other streams. As the various rivers are ascended the size and yield'of gold increases ; but the access to the upper part of the rivers has been the difficulty. Almost every river on the coast is ' gorge-bound ' at a few miles inland ; that is, it descends from the higher ground— which may almost be called a table land— to the lower terraces which border the coast by an abrupt descent. The gorges are for the most part narrow, steep, and deep ; and prospecting is exceedingly difficult, while packing up them is almost impossible. That gold exists in the upper country is a well-known fact, and many efforts have been made to get at it effectually. The richness of the diggings is a matter of comparison. The information which we have received goes to show that, while they are not so rich as Gabriel's Gully in its first days, they are, nevertheless, almost equally profitable. The reason is that they are so easily worked. The bottom is shallow, the whole topsoil, as a rule, is washdirt, and the operation is easy and very remunerative. Thoagh not so much will be found to the dish as in many rich fields in Otago, it is more easily got at, and, therefore, on some claims as good a week's work can be made. The fact is beyond question that some make a pound weight of gold in the week to the single share. Three ounces a-day are known to have been averaged by a few for the last month ; and one ounce is a not uncommon day's work, although the average may be taken as half an ounce. Twelve pounds a-week have been paid as wages, but the price now is lower and may be called a pound a-day, wet or dry ; and when the rush overland makes itself felt, especially if many arrive without means of setting to work on their own account, the rate of wage 9 will be lower Btill, as a matter of course. It is to be noted as a remarkable fact that up to thi9 time none but invalids have left, and bud a special object in view in returning to town, of whom we have had some afiivals in Christchurch. From what we have said of the field, it follows that the diggings which are opened up will quickly be worked out as soon as they are found. Some of the large claims allowed hitherto may give six months' work; but, in general, the labour is so light that all the gold can be removed from an ordinary claim in a comparatively short time. On the other hand the country is extensive, and requires rather laborious prospecting. Every reason exists to believe that the region betwen the snowy range and the ocean is auriterous for a long distance down the coast, and that many of the watercourses will afford profitable employment. On this account a large population may be maintained for a considerable time ; and, considering the way the tributaries are turning out, it may be conjectured that 6000 miners would not overdo the field. A large number had already arrived overland when the latest news left. They report well of the road, so far as mere travelling on foot is concerned. But the diggers anticipate no supplies from that quarter except meat, and they look entirely to water-carriage for everything else. Some stock had arrived from Canterbury, both sheep and cattle. Meat was Is 2d to Is 6d per Ib, and flour was Is ; but this last article was sure to go up. The influx of diggers by land, and the difficulty of entering the rivers had reduced stocks in hand, and would reduce them still further. Those who go overland, therefore, ought to take full supplies with them.

It is not generally understood that Kirs. Charles F. Evereste, the talented authoress and lecturer, is better known in the literary world as " Alice Marryatt," and is nearly related to the celebrated novelist, Captain Marryatt, R.N., C.8., author of Midshipman Easy, etc. Mrs. Evereste is the authoress of 11 Letters from Palestine," " Henry Lester," the " Impassable Grange," etc., and is now engaged on a work on New Zealand, entitled ••Eccentricities of the Colonies ; or, my tour through the antipodes." This highly gifted lady gave, a short time since, a lecture on " Flirtation," and we may lately say that

those who had the pleasure of listening to her were highly delighted. Mrs. Evereste possesses a voice of the most melodious sweetness, and great power. She is well known throughout the Australian colonies, and is deservedly popular. The fair lecturer will expatiate on " Love," in all its phases, comic and sentimental, at the Odd Fellows' Hall, to-night. The novel character of the lecture, a subject poets nevet tire of, and the originality of Mrs. E^reste'a mind, are more than sufficient to ensure a large and fashionable audience, more especially an this is the last occasion a Wellington audience will have an opportunity of hearing Mrs. Evereste.