THE OHINEMURI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 56, 6 March 1875, Page 4

THE OHINEMURI.

The reporter or the Auckland Star writes aa follows : — FINDS BY PROSPECTORS. The reticence of diggers is giving way somewhat, and various reports are afloat on the finds of prospecting parties through the Gorge Ranges. One old miner, well pleased with the general aspect of the field, and the particular show resulting from his own labor, has written for a number of his old companions. Many parties of miners who are shepherding ground in the ranges find their exchequer getting low, and feel the stern necessity of raising the wind as soon as possible. One digger io charge of a tent, mentioned on Saturday the fact of himself and three mates coming from Hokitika to secure a piece of ground they bad discovered to be gold-bearing four years ago, but that they were barely able to keep themselves in tucker another month without in some way increasing their funds, having waited at the Thames for the opening of the field, and fooled away most of their money before going up. WHERE THE BEST COUNTRY LIES. A prospector who came up on Saturday from a tour to the boundary line this side the Aroha mountain states that a great part of the best ground he met with was in the vicinity of the gorge, but was of such a precipitous character that in some places there was so footing, and he had (o riee hand over hand up roots of trees. The indications of gold were most satisfactory, and the result of panning off from many of the reef-washes was exceedingly good. His opinion was that mining during the winter would be found » very difficult matter, uuJ in some of the best-looking spots an impossibility. The soil on the back ranges was of a very rich nature, diggers would be able to keep their tables easily supplied with vegetables, and as an old Australian digger, constitutionally weakened by toil in unhealthy districts, he believed the Ohinemuri district was destined to prove a haven of rest to Australia, Palmer River, and other fagged miners who could pursue their usual avocation and at the same rescußitate their failing energies, amid this natural paradise of a country, with its abundant supply of fresh water, rich soil, a mild congenial climate, climate, which bas not ita equal in the colonies. Situated at so short a distEtice from Auckland, that in spite of its winding river, a good steamer could make the passage in eight hours. The old miner's earnest expression of opinion will be borne out by any tourist who has the good fortune to travel through the fair district of Ohinemuri. THE FLOWING RIVER. One pentlernan, a Waikato lanJowner, who is a great admit er of that portion of the province, btites that they have a beautiful river in the Waikato, but that the Thames liver beats it, with banks firm and sandy; the miles of flat laud adorned with every variety of indigenous shrubs and plants, with rich back ground of forest trees and auriferous ranges— a most perfect panorama of nature. Every mile further up the river, as the traveller proceeds, adds some new feature to the exquisite beauty of the scene. Few in Auckland ore aware of the tremendous volume of cle.ar fresh water continuously running through the pluins of Ohincmuri down to the sea, in some parts with such velocity that a man cannot swim against its current, while the depth is as great as 30 feet in some places. As the mind contemplates this placid scene, a feeling of deep regret is experienced to think of the limpid stream, so transparent and pure, being polluted with filth of every description. The air, at present so cnlm and clear, eoon to be filled with smoke and taints, and resound with the noise of batteries, and the hum of city life. Forests, shrubs, and all native vegetation, to be swept away for ever from the place. Such, however, is the march of civilization !