AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XII, Issue 502, 22 August 1867, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

(prom our own correspondent.)

August 17. The gold fields form the general topic of conversation here. Boats are running backwards and forwards to the Thames nearly every day, so that we receive news pretty frequently. All parties on the land seem to be very well satisfied with the place, though, as yet, little of the precious metal has come to light. The latest to hand is that a party of four, Messrs. J. E. White, Clarkson, Cobley, and Hunt, have struck upon a reef, bearing gold in large quantities. Yesterday Mr White arrived in town with samples of quartz, having specks of the bright metal pretty thickly covered all over it. The party have been down there some time prospecting, but only came across this place on Friday. Immediately they discovered the rock, thev went in search of Mr Mactay, who at once gave them their mine) s’ rights. They returned to the place in company with the warden, and got 300 square feet marked off as their claim. It is said that the first piece of quartz knocked off by a pick, showed clearly visible signs of gold. Directly it was known that a payable place had been found, all made a rush to the spot, and various were the opinions passed upon it. some affirming that it was the real stuff, and others ns firmly declaring it was mica. However, after being fairly tried, it was proved that it was gold, to the satisfaction of all concerned. Different specimens have been sent to town during the week, but none so rich as this last A previous sample of 2 lbs ■ f quartz was melted down by Mr Beck, and the gold obtained from it was 5 dwts. 10 grs. Supposing that the quartz was the same all through, something like 220 ounces of gold could bo obtained from the ton of quartz. Another party says that lie was working a payable prospect, but on forbidden ground, and was ordered off at ten minutes’ notice, although within the Government boundary. Mr Mackay is doing all he can to come to some terms with the natives, so that more of the places may be thrown open. There is plenty of wood and water in the Thames uistrict, and those who foolishly forget to take tents, can possibly budd a whare of some kind to protect them from the wet and cold, for if the rain continues for any time longer, it will not be very comfortable for the gold seekers. It is stated that there are also plenty of wild pigs, and any quantity- of peach trees in the neighbourhood if this is the case, the population is not in much fear of starvation. The natives, 1 believe, are pretty reasonable in tln i- charges for any commodify they have for sale, and are rather anxious that the ground should be worked. The papers here strongly advise people against “rushing” the new field, as so contradictory repoits daily come into town that scarcely any can be relied upon. No doubt a rush will be made after the news that has been received from the Thames, but I think it better to wait a little longer, for all the claims may not turn out as favourable as this one, though the general opinion seems to be in favour of it.

Mr Mad:ay, the Resident Magistrate, heard the first criminal case on Wcdncs day last, at Shoriland Town. Two men were sentenced to one month’s imprisonment each, willj hard labour, for stealing a pig, the property of some aboriginal natives.

The affair at Mata mat a, with respect to Mr Firth’s cattle run, has terminated satisfactorily, that gentleman, in company with Mr C. O. Haris, as interpreter, having paid a visit to the natives, and clearly informed them of the agreement entered into between William Thompson and himself for the possession of the land. Two meetings were held, at the opening of which the Hauhau prayer was chaunted, Tana, Thompson’s son, is rather inclined to be on the side of the Kingites, yet the natives listened very attentively while Mr {Davies was speaking to them. Mr Firth ideserves credit for acting in the manner jhe has done; had he been intimidated bv 'the threat of the natives, and taken his {cattle off the run, no doubt the parties I who have adjacent runs would have been 'compelled to do the same, and there is no saying what the natives might have felt Inclined to do. As to the murder of the Europeans, lately reported to have Demurred. there is no proof, and the natives disbelieve the report. The notorious brig Flying Cloud, which has not long been off the stocks, is to sold by public auction. Very likely it will be remembered that this vessel was laid on the berth for San Francisco, when a great manj people took paes&go in He? for that place, but to the insolvency of the

owners she has never left this port, and the passengers had been staying aboard until lately, when it was decided in the Magistrate’s Court that all must leave ihe vessel, I believe, a great many, without a penny of their passage money back. It was. no doubt, a disappointment to many* but I hope some of them will be able to remunerate themselves for lost time at the Kaueranga gold-field. Our almost defunct Gymnastic Club is again coming into existence- The Provincial Government have kindly grrnted permission for (he members of the Club to use a portion of the iron barracks, lately* occupied as a commissariat store. It is tobe hoped that the young men of this city will take an interest in this institution ; it is one that is required in every place, and i especially in Auckland, where so many young men have no other place of amuse* ment, and the practice of gymnastics is not alone amusement, but one of the first steps towards the improvement of tho mental faculties, as well as the strengthening of the muscles. A meeting is called for Monday, to take into consideration the re-organisation of the club. A .serious accident occurred on Thursday last, at the new Supreme Court Buildings. It seems that whilst some of the plumbers were engaged upon the roof, part of the scaffolding gave way, precipitating a man and a boy to the ground ; the latter escaped with a slight injury, hut the former had a fracture of the ankle and leg. The sufferer lies in a very precarious state.

One item of great importance is tho working of flax. Some few weeks ago a few working men met together for the purpose of forming a company (which they have mcceded in doing) to work the green lias by means of a hackling machine, but as this would cost some 505., they have had to put up with a temporary one, and yet have made from 4s. to ss. per day, which keeps them from being compelled to accept assistance from the Government. i. few gentlemen have taken tho affair in hand, and are doing their utmost to raise a fund by subscription, for the purpose of providing hackling machines for the flax workers, the recipient to return the value of tho article at about 2s 6d per week. I fully believe that a man can make a good living from it; in fact I heard of one man making at tho rate of 11s per day. No doubt if it pais anything at all it will be a profitable source of employment to a great many, and open up the country at the same time. The society which has been formed for the above purpose is progressing steadily. A fund has been got up to procure hackling machines, and orders have been given to make fifteen, which will be lent out to the men. I believe about ninety applications have been made to supply them. The men now at work are making between 5s and 7s per day, A Melbourne firm (Messrs Henty & Son) have offered £ls per ton for flax, and I expect that large quantities will very soon be ready for exportation. “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and I believe that had trade been as prosperous as in former days, flax would not have been brought to be a speculation of labor. The Ballaarat, Capt. Craighead, arrived here on Tuesday last, from London, making a run of 9.) days ; she had a rather rough passage, and, from the Cape of Good Hope to Tasmania experienced very strong gales. She brings 33 passengers and a largo cargo.