NELSON.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 15, 5 July 1864, Page 3

NELSON.

We take -the • following item of news from theNelson Examiner, June 23 : — We learn that much dissatisfaction has" lately' prevailed 1 amongst the mining population upon the Wakamarm a goldfield, with reference- to the re'eent Ml in the price given for gold by the buyers for the Nelson banks. From the subjoined particulars, courteously furnished by the manager oi' the Union Bank; which are derived -from the out-turn -of' "fifty ounces! of Wakamarina gold, forwarded for 'coinage to the Svdriey Mint, it will bo perceived that, upon the present price given for gold — -£3 13s. — the banks make a profit of only ninepenee, which, considering the various concomitant expenses, can harclry be deemed exorbitant. Wo may also mention that both the bank Of New South Wales and the bank of New Zealand forwarded, gold from the Wakam'avina, for assay hi ' Sydney, as "well as in Dunedin, and in each instance the results have been identical "with those given below. P.UJTICULAItS OF O LT-TL'RX OF oOoZS. WakAjMABTXA Gold, Sent uy theUxioxßaxk of Australia TOB COIXAG H AT SI'DXJSY MIXT : — 07.. Weight before melting ... ... ... 50 .-. „ after , „ 4782 . "Assay report in fineness ... ... ... "951 Standard weight 40'G09 Value at £3 17s. 101-d. (Standard) £193 3 4 Deduct Quakces. Mintfoivcoining'... ...£ll3 10 Freight, at 3d 0 VI G Insurance 1 , cartage, and boxes, at 3d 0 12 6 Export duty, at 2s. Gd. ... 6 5 0 9 310 £IR3 10 6 Value of 50 ozs., at £3 13s. Dd. 183 19 2 The same journal, of June 21st, has the followj ing ■— aiIvKTtXG- OF DIGGERS. A meeting oC unemployed diggers (who, on this occasion, comprised thirty-eight persons) was held in (he .Botanical Garden reserve on Sunday morning last, at eleven o'clock. A Digger explained that he had been on the B idler road, where the Government purposed giving them employment at the very low rate of wages of six shillings a day, and that he was quite sure men could not possibly exist upon what they earned at such work, while, also, it took them far away from the reach of any news that might possibly arrive from the Wakamarina. He said he hoped those present would resolve upon telling the Government at once that they would not work at the Bulicr for such low wages as had been ollcivd. Let them tell the Government that, unless they were offered work nearer Nelson, and at better wages, they were all desirous of being sent away, say to Auckland, where ho felt sure, the iv was plenty of work for all. A Voice : It's no use doing that. The Government won't send us away. Let us usk for work nearer Nelson. Another Voice : That's it. Lot us ask to be employed on the Maitai and the Maungatapu roads." That will give all a chance. .Several Voices : That's what we want. We shall be near town then, and near cheap provisions. The first Digger who had spoken said : Well, let us ask for employment on these' roads. We shall then be near the diggings, and wo shall be able to get our own provisions. A Voice : Why don't the storekeepers help to send us away. Another V r oice : You can't expect it. They have ottered to assist us. It was ultimately unanimously resolved to ask Government to send them away to Auckland, or, failing that, to give empioymeut to them on the Maitai roads, and at wages that would permit them at least to exis.t : such memorial to be presented 'to the -Government without delay. The meeting was extremely orderly throughout, and, as showing the peaceable intentions of those present at it, we would remark that one or two su<>-<reslions oi violfcrieo which ivci'o made, were at once suppressed, the majority saying that all they wanted was a fair and reasonable amount .. of assistance. Several diggers encamped in the gardens did not leave then' tents to attend the meeting.-*— Communicated. .