THE AUCKLAND GOLD FIELD.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 695, 11 December 1852, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND GOLD FIELD.

After an interval of some days during which the unfavourable slate of the weather prevented the arrival of vessels from Coromantlcl, the aimous waiters for further information were yesterday gratified by two or three arrivals, wilh solid and unmistakable evidence that the diggers had not been toiling in sain, several more or less considerable parcels of gold ha\ ing been brought to town. And to-day an event unpreeeilcnlcd in the history of New Zealand, and a prediction of which but a very few years ago would ha\e been deemed visionary lo the \crge of madness—no less than a sale by auction of gold indispulably native to the soil of New Ulster— is to take place. The gold which Messrs. Conncll and Ridings arc this day lo oiler to competition has been brought up by Mr. Cadinnu, and is a portion of the product of the labours of Mr. Coolahan's party at the "dry diggings." An opportunity will thus be afforded 10 those who are an\ious to procure specimens for themsehes, or for transmission to their correspondents, and we believe the lots will be so arranged as to accommodate persons who desire to purchase with this view. Several of the other specimens have excited much admiration ; for instance one brought by Mr. Landers, whose boat rclurncd yesterday from Coromandc). We have beard that some of the specimens ha\e been sold privately at the rale of M. lo 3/. per ounce, or even higher. From the Messrs. l)e Thierry and others who came lo town yesterday we have heard reports which confirm in various particulars the statements which we ha\c already laid before our readers, and represent the diggers as earning good wages at present, and anticipitating much belter success when the dry weather sets in — their labours basing hitherto been much obstructed by the heavy rains which have lately fallen. In preference, however, to repealing the oral reports which have reached us. from one or another quarter, we introduce here a letter which we have received, authenticated by the signatures of a number of diggers most or all of whom are known to many in this neighbourhood. To the Editor of tlic Ni:\v Zealandek. Waiau Gold Diggings, Coromandel Harbour > December 4th, 1852. Mb. Ejmtob, — Wo the undersigned persons now at work in the bed of the Matawai Creek, a a branch from the main river Waiau, beg that you will insert the following statement in your valuable paper the first opportunity, viz :—: — That we are now at work in the Matawai. ■ Creek district, distant about two miles and a-half !

I from the settlement of the native chief Taniwha, in the harbour of Coromnndel. The diggings we believe must in course of lime (urn out very rich, as every man that can ami is willing to work can do well down here, — as many at the present lime are washing in long loins and cradles from nalf-an-ounce to an ounce per day, princip lly nuggets. I The" fine gold is very plentiful, out found in greater quantities in the banks of the creek. The gold is found to extend Air seven or eight miles up tiie creek, and can be easily woiked the moment the water becomes low enough to enable parties to turn the course of the stream, so that the line of lied rock may be -worked up with ease. Many of us are old diggers from California and Sydney, and we consider the present diggings to be both valuable and rich. Captain Uuthauk's party of three got from a piece of quartz in the bed rock, on Thursday lost, two pieces of pure gold, each piece as large as a marble; and many pieceb equally fine have been taken out by parties up and down tiie creek. We understand from the Messis. I)e Thierry, who discovered the Wiiiau gold field, and who have lately been prospecting round, that the quarry of quartz, which we consider the gold comes from, is very extensive and rich, with fine gold all round Ihe foot oi the quarry. Ifc is situated about lialf-a-mile from the Matawai Creek, and about five miles from T.miwhsi's pah. We number in all about forty men at the present time, which is being daily increased ov arrivals from Auckland and the other mines We have had a flood in (he river, which has filled up our bed claims; but we live in hopes of dry weather soon setting in, when we b!iu.(l he enabled to prove to the Auck- | land people that this is indeed a valuable gold I field. The natives are perfect Iy friendly with the ] whites, and are now busily engaged making a store house for the accommodation of new arrivals, and intend placing a flag-stud' at the mouth of the Waiau River, to attract the attention of vessels arriving. Mr. Stephenson left hero on Friday last Avith seven or eight ounces of gold taken out by himself and a native boy in one week ; lie has left the native boy in charge of his claim until his return to work it out. A few parties have returned to Auckland, but none that have given the creek a f.iir trial have met with ill success ; all working parties must do well. The diggers are much pleased to find that Charles Ileaphy, I£sq , is appointed Commissioner to the Waiau Gold Field; he has paid (he mines a vioit and appears to approve much of them. You will excuse the length of this letter, but hearing so many flying reports were current in Auckland, all of which were more or less incor-l-eot, we are anxious that the public should know, through your valuable paper, and from the diggers themselves, the actual. state of the Waiau Gold Field. We remain, your humble servants, (Signed for ourselves, and many more diggers,) Pa'iin c it Coy j,k, J a mus Ck \ wro rd, John lira hoy, William Citvwroßi), J. 11. IluMviimrcs, foy Ai.kx. Untuank, and self and party of 4, party of 2, Edwaud Jonks, for self William FoTjLAS, for and party of 3, pai ty of 2. Jambs Lang We leave our readers to judge for themselves how far these statements go towards establishing the remunerative productiveness of the Gold Field. There can be no donbl thai there is much to encourage to continued exertion; but further research, and laiger arrhals oi gold, are still required, before it Ytill be prudent or sale to Conn a conclusive opinion on the richness and commercial importance of the field. A very interesting fact reported to us is that a Great'Nativc feast is expected to take place in a wee 1 : or lv,o, for the purpose of getting the Native Chiefs assembled to remove the bones of their deceased relatives, so as to lake oil' l\w lapu from tiie lands in the vicinity of the diggings. The general conduct of the Naliscsis described as friendly and obliging to a most gratifying degree.

Ik the schooner Catherine, which reached our port yesterday, iVotn the Sandwich Islands, we have received a few numbers of the Polynesian, the latest dale being 2.>lh September. They contain no news of the least interest, except that the burdens upon Shipping at the port of Ilonululti had been lightened by a considerable modification of the tonnage dues.