NELSON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 496, 5 August 1857, Page 5

NELSON.

The following paragraphs dated the 15th and 18th ult. we have befoi-e referred to. That of the 22nd is new, and, if true, is very important. The continuance of wet weather has much impeded the operations of our gold diggers, who, for some time past, have scarcely been able to work one day in four; and but for the necessity of remaining on the spot to keep possession of their claims, many even of the most successful would have returned to the comforts of their own roofs to await a favourable change in the weather. Meanwhile an errant " cradle " or a disabled "long torn" or two has been no uncommon sight in the swollen river courses of Aorere, far from the "claims " of their disconsolate owners.

The quantity of gold which has been bought in Nelson within the last three weeks is, we believe, between 700 and 800 ounces.

The following extract from a letter addressed to his father by a young man well known in Nelson, although.-of somewhat old date, will be read with interest, as the accuracy of the facts stated in it will scarcely be called in question. The writer is at work at the Slate River, with two "mates," forming a party of three. The large measure of success they have met with may doubtless be attributed in some degree to more than average good luck, but also in part, we are inclined to think, to more than an average amount of industry and perseverance. Presuming the estimate of quantity to be substantially correct, and it is probable not far from the mark, it will be seen that this party of three men obtained no less than sixteen ounces each in six days, giving to each of the party as his share of six days' work gold of the value of £60, or very nearly £10 per day per man. While we are quite disposed to look upon this as an exceptional case, reports, not sufficiently authenticated for publication, reach us that parties are doing as well or nearly so. It would indeed be altogether unreasonable to conclude that this one party have hit upon the richest spot, or upon the only rich spot, upon the goldfields ; and we cannot doubt that many such prizes ai'e open to the enterprising, or perhaps we should say to the lucky digger.

" Appoo's Flat, June 28, 1857,

" Since I wrote to you last we have had four clays' work at the claim, besides having moved our things higher tip the river, and we are now satisfied that we have a good paying claim; my mates think that now we have not less than 48 ounces which we have got in these six days. I am afraid that we shall be a little troubled with the river now that the rainy weather is set in, for we have had nearly one week's 'continuous rain, and the river rose so that we could not work more than two hours yesterday, in which time .we made about one and a-half ounces; but as the river has so much fall, we shall be able to turn-to to-morrow. It will take us about four hours with our swag from here. Batchelor has a branch store about four miles on our way, but everything was bought before we got there; and David Allen is going to have a branch nearer, so that shall have provisions pretty handy soon. " James Gobkie, Junior." ' Examiner,' July 15."

The news from the gold-fields continues to be of a very encouraging nature. It is currently reported in town that Ellis's party obtained by one day's work no less than 25 ozs.; but for the accuracy of this report we cannot vouch. We also hear of other parties who are doing exceedingly well. We subjoin an extract from another letter by Mr. Gorrie's son, and received by his father since our last publication, by which it will be seen the party are sanguine of success when the river shall have subsided to enable them to prosecute their labour:— "Aorere, 11th July, 1857.

" Since John canie over we have not been favoured with very good weather, having had only about 24i hours' work altogether; it has

rained most of the time, and the river was up so that we could not work when it was fine—but in that time we have made about 20 ozs. _ It has now cleared up, and we think for some time, when we expect to knock out 7 ozs. a-day. James Goeeie. Junior."

July 18.

News arrived yesterday which created quite a sensation in the town. It was to the effect that Ellis'3 party, consisting of eight men, had, with two toms _ and a cradle, got out of the Slate River " nine pounds weight" of gold in one day ; It was also stated that another party, consisting of three men, had got from the Dry River three pounds weight of gold in the course of last week. We cannot vouch for the truth of either of these statements, but both the persons from, whom we obtained the information appeared to think they were quite correct. —July 22.

The Eesikent Magistrates' Covets Extension op Jubisciotion Act, 1856.—1n the General Government' Gazette' of the 14th inst, there is a proclamation by the Governor, declaring that, upon the request of the Superintendent, the above-named Act shall come into operation in this Province from and after the Ist of August next.— lbid.