RIVERTON GOLDFIELDS.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 225, 7 March 1866, Page 2

RIVERTON GOLDFIELDS.

(fbom ottb, own coebespondent.) Eiverton, March 2nd, 1866. When I last wrote, we were looking forward to a little excitement in the shape of a contested election, but Southland's character for apathy in these matters was not to be outdone in our case. The nomination day was Monday last, as you have already chronicled, and Mr. C. R. Marten forgot to bring his proposer and "seconder with him, and therefore Mr. Hankinson had a walk over. Mr. Marten had previously been informed by several gentlemen here that while they might give him a vote, they were not sufficiently acquainted with him to either propose or second him. The large number of voters he speaks of in his letter, in your last issue, must have been entirely on paper. The ignorance he manifiested to the people here is not so bad as the indifference shown in all political matters. The .Resident Magistrate's Court was brought into requisition on Monday, and I). Shea Lawler, Esq., as also J. EL Nurse, Esq., officiated. G-eorg Hickson, alias Frederick Stanley pleaded not guilty to a charge of larceuy. He was charged with having stolen from his mate, James Bower, a five pound notev.'hich he (Bower) swore to as being peculiarly torn. Mrs. Dodds of the Otouton proved the fact of changing the note for the prisoner at her house. Mr. Pritch had since obtained the note from Mrs. Dodds in change for a cheque. The note was produced in court. The prisoner having vo remarks to make"Mr. Shea Lawler considered the clearness of the case in every phrase and severely censured the prisoner for taking such mean advantage of his mate, who had found him money to come dowu to town. He was therefore sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labor, in H.M. Gaol. ■' Great credit ia duo to tite Police authorities, for the prompt manner in which the offender was brought to justice. Though I have neither seen or heard of large parcels of gold from the Pabi or Longwood it is becoming a patent fact that all are doing well, there are now about fifty men at work at the Patii and all well satisfied with the result of their labors. The population on these diggings is daily increasing, one or two parties have erected stores, and to give an idea of the energy displayed in this quarter, several boats are prepared to take passengers and stores at a low figure. Brovn left the river yesterday well loaded with a living f'rieght at 3 o'clock, and returned the same day to the surprise of every one at about 4 p.m. As the wind and weather in this country is rather uncertain, it will be imperative upon the Government at an early date to make arrangements, that one of the present tracks should be made fit for pedestrians and pack-horses — this I believe could be done at a small cost, and would save diggers when arriving here from delay by reverse winds. lam told that the diggers already on the spot are signing a petition for this work to be immediately proceeded with. Business during the whole week has evidently had a tendency to improve in every branch. The Marian Renny, 56 tons, from Me 1 bourne, consigned to Messrs. Wittiughani Bros., came into the river yesterday — the whole of her cargo is for this firm. . The weather during the past week has been unsettled, and therefore not quite so favorable to the harvest, which has now fairly commenced. The Eiverton Hotel, so long closed, has now been re-opened by Air. Dyke ; this being the inosc commodious house h>-re, may be considered a benefit to the town. Trusting that I shall be able to give you more fullparticulrrs of tbe diggings in my next. I have nothing mora to report. RIVERTON. March 6th. LARGE FIND AT PAHI DIGGINGS.— UPWARDS OF THIRTEEN POUNDS WEIGHT OF GOLD RECENTLY OBTAINED. The reports from the diggiugs, especially Pahi, are highly satisfactory. The number of miners now on the field is from 80 to 100, and all are doing well, making from 10s. to 30s. per day per man, and what is strong evidence that all are satisfied, not one returning. One gentleman has purchased eight pounds weight, and another party has five pounds weight on hand. Mr. Commissioner Weldon has gone overland from Riverton to Pahi with the view of ascertaining if there is snfficient gold being got to warrant the Government in sending any resident official there. Mr. Dawson has also received instructions to explore and report upon the best road to the Pahi. Mr. Weldon started this evening, and we expect an impoitant report in a few days. It is looked upon here as all but an established goldfield.