IMPORTANT GOLD DISCOVERIES IN WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XII, Issue 537, 26 December 1867, Page 2

IMPORTANT GOLD DISCOVERIES IN WELLINGTON.

(From the Wellington Independent, Dec. 10.) The following letter shows that some gold discoveries have been made in this province by a prospecting party. The grounds are described as “ poor men’s diggings,” and the indications point to the possibility that on further investigation more important discoveries may be made. The party intended to start again on the Thursday morning ; Wellington, Dec. 9th, 1867. To His Honor the Superintendent of the Province of Wellington. Sir, —I returned to town on Saturday evening last. I beg to submit the result and details of my gold prospecting expedition in yoat province. Left. South Makara on Tuesday, the 19th ultimo with three nun, and proceeded along the main ridge of the Oteronga range about seven miles ; carrying as much provisions and tools as wo could. On Wednesday morning, while' my party went back for a second load, I determined on the following line of pro-

cedure—--Ist. To make the southern side of the watershed, especially the principal streams, my sources of information. 2nd. On obtaining a prospect with the tin dish I would cause a tail race to be constructed, aud a paddock at least six feet in length by 10 feet in width to be opened and thoroughly worked to the bed rock ; for the following reasons: —I would ascertain the actual depth of the “ wash " —the formation of such—the quantity, quality, and general appearance of the gold. 3rd. To leave my party washing or testing one paddock while I went prospecting with the dish in another creek. I regret to inform you that one of my party, in bringin g up the second load, got “ knocked up,” and, after being released of his “ swag,” was lost in the scrub for two days, which caused a loss to the party of that amount of time. In fact, it was Saturday night (23rd November) before I got ready to wash the first paddock. On Monday (25th) night we had about 5 dwts. of gold. I enclose the same, marked No. 1 creek. Wash, two feet in depth ; surface, shale or shingle over the “ wash,” two feet; total depth, four feet. Gold equally distributed through the wash. Gold very fine j the bed rock very hard. Could not find any coarser gold on it than that found in the wash. Immense boulders to move, which take up a great deal of time.

I am of opinion that this creek, one mile in length, would yield about 6s per diem, per man, provided the usual apcliances for box sluicing were put in operation. On Tuesday we commenced a tail race in No. 2 creek, which turned out about the same depth as No, 1, but much wider, about three sluice heads of water running. Got the race brought up and the boxes fixed, and started washing on Wednesday morning. On my arrival at night, after prospecting No. 3 creek, my mates had completed their paddock, and washed—result. 7 dwta

of gold ; better in appearance, and heavier in character than the gold found in No. 1 creek. 1 was slightly disappointed at the quan> tity, as I had a very fair prospect with the dish. Glad to observe s difference in the j quality of the gold. Made up my mind jto follow up the small streams near the 'leading range. I enclose prospect from ‘No. 2 creek. | On Thursday we had a laborious task iin moving the boxes to No. 3 creek, in fact, it was Saturday before we could do anything with them. Got S dwts on Monday. Could not get along in consequence of the heavy nature of the boulders. I should have taken a hammer and adze with me. The seme sort of gold as No. 2,

JJeterrained to stop here the rest of the 1 week, and prospect the highest point of this creek for course gold. Tuesday and Wednesday, rain the whole time. Could not work on Thurs* day the creeks ““’•s very easily prospected. Started to prospect one of the terraces about 20 feet above the level of the creek. Sunk a shaft 8 feet, got a very nice bed of wash about 2 feet deep, and got about a dozen specs (very fine) to the dish. Started to open up a trench from the side of the creek 1...- 1 -. * TT 3 ~.i _T._ i . w ‘-v .“O DUtUb. gwL ,s» OUU UI icet on l : iiuuy morning, when it came on to rain again. As our provisions were about done, and my time about up, made preparation to come to town.

Left tent and tools at Makara, and came into town on Saturday night. 1 am of opinion that there is a good 11 poor man’s gold field ” near to whore I have been working, and likely furthernorth, still, especially in the locality I suggest. ■ I would like to spend a short time over, on the opposite water shed from No. 3 gully. I regret the result prevents me from giving you a better account of my proceedings. In recommending further action in the matter, I beg to subscribe myself, Your most obedient servant, D, Grove.