Correspondence.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1714, 13 August 1862, Page 4

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the New-Zealandek. Sir, —As there is a deal of anxiety existing just now, both in the north and south of New Zealand, respecting gold, I shall consider it a favor by your inserting a lew lines on the subject in your valuable paper. Having been an old settler of upwards of twenty years standing, having visited all tho settlements of New Zealand, and just arrived from Otago, after residing there for the last twelve months, 1 have had abundant opportunities of forming my own opinion of what I have scon and learnt, and have come to the conclusion that all is not gold that glitters in tho South. During my stay in the latter place, I have seen and conversed with many hundred diggers, numbers of whom had been to Coromandel lost summer to try that gold field, and had returned to Otago ; not with any prejudice that Coromandel was a blank, but quite the reverse, as they were fully confident that gold existed thore, though the land being held by the Maories prevented their giving it a fair trial,

Tho news arrived at Duncdin last mail, that Sir George Grey had at last got over the difficulty which had been so many years a stumbling block to Auckland, and had finally arranged with the Moories for their land at Coromandcl; that it had been thrown open to diggers, and proclaimed by Government as a gold field. Further accounts stated that diggers' licenses were rapidly taken up in Auckland ; fino samples of gold obtained; companies formed, and shares eagerly sought for. Such intelligence placed tho inhabitants of Dunedin in a great fright, and set diggers in all quarters Coromandel mad. I have spoken to great numbers of gold miners, and have been informed that if good accounts came down by next mail, they should be off without delay. Sir, should Coromandcl only turn out but a middling gold field, paying only fair wages, there certainly will be a great rush from Otago of some hundreds to Auckland before many weeks. Moreover, should fortune smile, and a good payable gold field bo found, instead of Otago having the great rush of population which the inhabitants of Dunedin expect, and are making great preparations to receive, in my opinion, the tables will be turned, and Auckland draw the greater portion of thorn to her shores. Respecting the diggings in Otago, tho amount of gold brought down by the last fortnightly escort, July 24th, was 3,021 ounces, and the population on the diggings nearly eight thousand, many hundreds of whom are only getting what the diggers term a " bare tucker," besides putting up with the greatest of hardships. Numbers arc continually returning to town quite disheartened, and very glad to jump the Government claim of road-making or stone-breaking, at the liberal wages (tho South being a fine gold country!) of five shillings per dav, and paid only to work in fino weather. The diggers state that the old ground has been worked over and over again till nearly exhausted, and the country around in all directions for many miles has been prospected, but without avail; if nothing turns up very shortly, the minors will rush away as rapidly as they arrived, and seek diggings elsewhere. The Coromandel diggings will certainly have a great advantage over tho Otago gold fields, in consequence of the deficiency of firewood and the very long distance to fetch it, the severe weather, the frost, the heavy snow, and the intense cold at the latter place. Provisions are also getting high in price, meat being Is. 2d. per lb. There are sad complaints in all quarters in Duncdin of the dull state of business; shipping is very slack, and the roads both in town and country in a dangerous and deplorable condition. In conclusion, I beg to mention that several experienced gold miners, fellow-passengers, have come from Otago to Auckland, for the express purpose, and with a full determination, of having a thorough inquiry into the richness of tho Coromandel gold fields. Hoping you will excuse my trespassing 60 long, I am, &c., Tiios. Jackson. Barque "Dunedin," August, 1862.