IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE PAIHI DIGGINGS.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 267, 25 May 1866, Page 2

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE PAIHI DIGGINGS.

We have been favored by, his Honor the Superintendent with the following official report on the Paihi Diggings. Police Department, Invercargill, 23rd May, 1866. Sib, — I have to report for your Honor's information that the population on the Paihi diggings is now about two hundred and fifty. ...«■■. Mining on the beach has proceeded steadily during the last week owing to the favorable state of the weather. On .Sunday last Messrs Clulee and M'Donald, storekeepers on these diggings, ' sent seven pounds weight of gold to Bivertou ; and, from information 1 have received, there appears to be five hundred ounces of gold in the hands of the miners, which t&ey refuse to sell as the price — 70s per ounce — which, they are offered is not a sufficient inducement for them to part with the gold. The population is divided, the majority preferring the beach to the bush. On the former there are about two hundred persons, who appear to be doing well ; and an instance is given of a party of four men having washed out a pound weight of gold in one day. ■ The accounts from the Longwood Digoin°"S i^ not by any means so good as from the Paihi — although I. believe the Longwood only requires to be well prospected to find a good gold-field — yet so long as the miners can procure the gold as easily as they do on the beach, Jthey wont attempt to contend with the difficulties • which are to be met with in the Longwood Ranges. I must also inform your Honor that Hunt and his party have returned from the Paihi; but their ieaving has not caused any more unfavorable impressions, than' simply that from their experience on the West Coast they know of better ground. I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, T. H. Weldon, Commissioner of Police. To his Honor, the Superintendent, Invercargill.