NELSON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 487, 4 July 1857, Page 5

NELSON.

"We have Nelson papers to the 13th June. The [Waste Lands Bill was carried to a third reading on the 10th. It was strongly opposed by Dr. Monro, Dr. Ren wick, and others. THE GOLD FIELDS. We take from the k Examiner' the following paragraphs giving the latest intelligence :—- We publish with pleasure the following extract from a letter addressed to Messrs. Curtis, Brothers, by Mr. Maekay, junior, who has just returned from a gold-exploring expedition. It affords ground for gratification, since it fully confirms the rumours which have been prevalent in town for some days, respecting the improved prospects of the diggers in the district from which it is dated. Aorere, May 28th, 1857. I ought to have been in Nelson ere this, but have been out on a gold exploring expedition, to the quartz ranges, formerly discovered by me. [Reported to the Provincial Government in October last.] We have been very fortunate, and have found a very fair field, about three miles square. The gold is not very large, but can be found in every gully. The diggings are going on steadily; new gulliea are found out every day, and two or three parties are now over the first branch of the Aorere river. The place M'Gregor wrote about last week is the one discovered by me; you may recollect my speaking to him about it on board the Pride of the Isles. He had not sent in his report when 1 started on my exploration, but he told me he had got a very good prospect in the place I mentioned to him. We are indebted to Mr. W. Lightband for the following information respecting operations on the Aorere gold-fields : — The character of the diggings is improving ; the yield of gold is much better. _ The diggers generally are more cheerful; discontent and grumbling are now becoming the exception. Parties are weekly arriving from all quarters— some in destitute circumstances ; these, through the kindness of the storekeepers, are enabled to get a few things on credit j and with this assistance numbers have made a good start, and in about a week have recovered themselves. Every week tells us of some new gully being discovered. In many of these gullies there are only a few parties at work. At the Slate river, where the new rush has- been, there are about 300 men at work; here a large-sized gold is found, generally under the large boulders, and mixed with the river gravel; the greatest num- | her of men are yet near the first discoveries. ! Sluicing parties have already commenced operations with every prospect of success, in Lightband's gully, in what is called old or deserted ground. There is every reason to believe that many other gullies that have not paid for toniining, will yield well to sluicing parties, especially for a ground sluice, there being every facility for the conveyance of-water for the purpose. In Appoo's Gully, where there are still a number of diggers at work, some are accumulating 2 and 3 ozs. in the day: By the diggers uniting and turning the water that runs down this gully, at the junction part of it, thero is every probability of; its being a very profitable specu-

lation. This plan will be taken up at the Slate" or Branch river, about three rrfilus i'rom the present working, where every facility exists for the present purpose, and without much outlay. Attempts have been made to sink on the lulls near Agpoo's and Lightband's Gullies; recent discoveries tell of good, prospects in these directions. The native who are at present at work on the diggings are fast acquiring a knowledge of gold mining, and some of them are doing exceedingly well. I have been requestedf ; by several of them to act as native protector. As yet the natives and Europeans work harmoniously together, but as the natives become more numerous, it will be essential to appoint a person for this purpose. The natives are requesting a translation of the Gold Digging Regulations in their own language, in a printed form, as with this information they would be able to get on much better where there is a rush. Things_ are going on peaceably, and the recent regulations are found to work well, and are giving general satisfaction. Altogether there are a thousand men on the diggings, and things are more promising than ever.—June 13. We have much pleasure in congratulating our'reailers and the Nelson public, not only that a steamboat for our Bay has at last been purchased, ,but that it is such a one as will do credit to our province. A communication has bt-en received by- the Steam Association by the last mail from Melbourne, from Mr. Bury, stating thai he has purchased a paddle steamei, of small draught of water, and of power capable of steaming at the rate of eleven miles au hour. Some small preparation for the voyage to Nelson under canvas had to Le ma e, but we may now daily look for the arrival of the vessel.— Nelson Examiner, June 10.