THE LAKE DIGGINGS.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 28, 13 February 1863, Page 2

THE LAKE DIGGINGS.

We are compelled from want of spnce. most unwillingly to abridge our "own correspondent's '' very interesting letter, dated 9th Fehruary, from the Lake Diggings, The diggers cmnpfain of the price offered by the Banks (£3 12s. 6d. ) and a great deal of the gold which went down by last escort (more ihnn half) remained the property of original owners. Large and extensive workings are beinj undertaken on the Arrow. The river has been turned in three or four places wilh great success Very many pounds weight are bring taken out of some claims. The result of one man's work (time not specified), 9">3 oz , was sent down by last escort. Two Viciorian miners who have only been in the country five weeks have dug 405 oz. each. C. IST. Cam hell & Go's, steamer is all but finished, the machinery will be shortly placed in her. She is capable of holding Of) tons. Flcr steam power is not considered suffici nt. Mv Recs has a6O ton schooner on ths stocks. She will be launched very soon. A friend of mine has penetrated with three others within six miles of the west coast. They mt 't Moonlight and Whisky Tom engaged in prospecting about 20 miles from the coast, but they did not seem inclined to venture further, as they had been oui for some lengihof time, and were getting short of provisions So the adventuivrs pushed on till they came within about six miles of the beach, to the best of their knowledge, when they met a large paity of MaorU'S, gold digging, and the itceptiun ihe adventurers got was what might not be nna tl> termed, the north side of friendly. They would give them nothing to eat, and the upshot of their conversation amounted to ihe Maories informing their visitors to ''make tracks" hack. However, they showed them their trold, which was contained in iwo tin dishes. The}' were both mure than half full ; mv friend described the appearance of the quantity of gold in each dish as looking tike a good horse-feed of oats. The Maones granted their visitors a claim of f> feet by 4 in exchange for a new pocket knife, 'hey w. irked this ground and raised 120 o/ , of gold which is depos'ned at the safe here ; one seven-ounce nugget is among the lob. The above giound is either in Southland or close on the border. Our Correspondent believes it to lie in Bmilhlnnd. There are 10 or 12,000 oz. in hand for the next escort. Hughes' Gully very rich. The Twelve-R>ilft ni-h is probnbiy the richest goldlield in the world. Our correspondent saw 30 lbs. taken from one claim. LATEST PRICKS. Flour 9d. per ll>. Paeon 3s per II). Sugar Is. Id do Bee!" Is4d do Tobacco H>s do Mutton Is 3d do Gold £3 12s (id (Price will probably advance slightly.)