THE GOLD-FIELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 117, 1 April 1862, Page 5

THE GOLD-FIELDS.

Waitnhuna, March 28, 1862. It is to bo regretted that a magnificent flat like that through which the Waitnhuna river flows should remain unworked. Here and thc-re you find a miner " pottering" aboutj'but save the two parties who have turned the course of the river, there is no'one attempting to wort this ground in a systematic mnnner. Of its auriferous character"t!ii.TC cannot be si doubt, but it will require not oim- the combined cflbrts of a considerable body ol'men, but also the investment of capital to •produce anything like a profitable result. If some of your Duncdin capitalists would cease to invest their money in the eternal round of substances familiar to the commercial mind, and turn their attention to the production of an article always saleable, never liable to damnge, and at present lying ready to the first hand that has sufficient pluck and energy to grasp the prize, no doubt, as in business, some would be unsuccessful; but that gold is distributed in paying quantities over the Hat, and that the ground would pay handsomely for systematic working, may be learnt from the following ; about the middle of last December three parties of miners, seven in each party, were working the banks of the river with indifferent success. After some delay it was at length agreed to combine, and with the united strength of the party, make an attempt to turn the course of the river. The difficulties met with would have been sufficient to have frightened any body of men" less reliant onthemselves, or who had but small confidence in their ultimate success. First, —the opening to the new bed was badly chosen; next their dam was repeatedly washed away, and the cutting itself was beset with difficulties. These, however, were surmounted, and last week the river was turned, and the old bed laid open for working. The work finished^, the party broke up, and as prior to the combination, became divided into three sotsy each having allotted a third of -the Jength of the old bed. The} 1 are all doing well, and will be handsomely rewarded for their exertions, but the middle party appear to'have hit on the best portion. Although the river has b'jen diverted into a new channel,' the old bed is not free from water, but presents the appearance of a line of water-holes. On visiting the place where hesc . men are working, one of themwent into a pool, knee deep and brought out a shovel-full of drift from the bottom; and washed it off" on the blade of the shovel. Notwithstanding that in lifting it through the water, a considerable portion was washed . away, there were over sixty " specs'' on the sho■vel—proof ; demonstrative that the lucky owners •would make their "pile." As-there is a large portion of the river which has never been touched, I trust it will also be worked ; and I have no doubt but that whoever has the pluck to undertake the labor, will have no reason to regret the venture. I notice Hill andSmyshursthavea considerable quantity of timber on the ground, preparatory to the building of the bridge across the Waitahuna. When completed, it will be of great service to the unfortunate draymen, whose difficulties in conveying goods to the diggings are sufficiently numerous, without subjecting them to the chance of being drowned in crossing the river. German ; Gully continues to employ a few men, who appear to be doing well; b.ut there is nothing like tho bustle amd activity prevailing abput a month ago. At Wait- - ahuna proper, everything is very dull, and the population has sensibly decreased. No new ground has been opened, and those who are working, are either " fossipking" old claims, or sinking for " pillars" left by the first miners. Hill sinking does not appear to have been so successful

hero as at Wetherstone's —certainly, it has not I e^n carried on with the same vigor and determination.

The .ib-once of n R'^istrar of Biiths and De.iths. his been sevenly iolt Mim.u-> '\hosc m ites may have died being compelled to walk either to Tukomahiro, or chc to Gani iel's, in older to compl> with the l.uv nnent leyis!ration,. I believe that the office has been applied fo^by Dr. Samuels