NELSON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 376, 11 June 1856, Page 4

NELSON.

Great oxcitemeiit has bepn caused during the past four 01 five days by the discovery of gold in the Motueka district. Though gold has been known to exist in that locality

for some weeks past, the fact of its being procurable in any considerable quantity has only transpired within the last few days. The excitement which this has caused

amongst all classes is evident, from the number of people who have gone there. On Friday last there were about twenty people

at work, and on Saturday perhaps the same number, though many were known to be in the town preparing their cradles and other necessary tools ; but at the present time, it is supposed from the number who have left Nelson during the past three days, by boats and overland, that not less than 300 persons are now at work—a sufficient number, we think, to test the value of the discovery. The particular locality in which the gold is found rejoices in the soubriquet of Pig Valley, which is situate about seven miles from the township of Motueka : the depth at which a the precious metal is found varying from a few inches to four feet from the surface. We have seen two or three specimens which have been brought over by a gentleman residing at Motueka ; and the

of some old Australian diggers with ~*which we liave spoken lead us to believe that in quality the gold is equal to any found in Australia.

These are the simple facts. Up to the present moment nothing is known as to the real value of the discovery. It, may be utterly worthless; or worse, it may be positively injurious,"by leading people from remunerative employment to starve in the search after a few specks of gold.

Whether our Superintendent will deem it prudent or necessary to leave his duties in the North, and come amongst us, we hardly know. It will depend, we presume, very much on the advices he may receive from the members of Government here: but should the number of persons on the diggingground increase in the same ratio for the next week or ten days, as they have during the past week, we imagine it will be necessary to call the Council together to consider the policy to be pursued under the circumstances.

In connexion with this discovery, it perhaps would not be out. of place to state that our indefatigable friend, Mr. Wrey, has hit upon a lode of copper ore of exceedingly rich quality, at the Dun Mountain, at an elevation of 1,800 feet tess than the site of the old working. This will doubtless quiet the fears of those individuals, who contended that copper was to be found in only one particular spot —that which has been worked before, and of which samples had been sent home. — Examiner.