COLLINGWOOD.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 360, 5 April 1861, Page 3

COLLINGWOOD.

[fsosi our own 'correspondent ]

..'l;."'/..7."Mareh.16,.1861, I have, since last addressing, you, been, over the gold-fields, and am glad.to.be able to report still more favorably of our mining prospects. . I was down in the Takaka district, and was very well pleaaed to learn that the diggings there are doing so well—in many. instances better than these diggings, in the upper district of the gold-fields. 1 noticed many new arrivals there: the fresh men stop generally at the Waikarabubu, and easily procure employment; working men freely obtain from 12s. to> 15s. per day, and in some instances these prices are paid either wet or fine. At the Lower Anatoki, the old workings are being re-worked auccessfully under the new system of working adopted. . I know of one of a party of four, whose receipts for the week amounted to' £14;. he had employed a man in his.place, and paid him £k 10s., leaving a clear profit for himself of £9 10s.—-very fair wages for a laborer—£234 per annum, and. fairreturn for . the master—^494 per annum. lam ltd to believe this is not a solitary instance by many. . The Boobians, as the diggers at the Waikarabubu diggings have christened themselves, are pushing ,far up into the hills, and especially' into that branch leading into the Anatoki Range, and are earning 30s. per diem. The Lower Anatoki men talk of either a new road beiug made to the Anatoki Gorge or the present one repaired, which, by the by, requires some repairs ere the winter sets in.

The new diggings in One Speck Gully are doing well, though there are some conflicting accounts respecting it. , Taking the Takakian diggings generally, I am induced, to think they are taking the lead of the Collingwood diggings: they are easier of access, more available room to move about in, and generally the necessaries of life a.re much cheaper than with us. I hear of two new stores being built and started immediately.

Miners are at work at the foot of the Five Mile Hill,.on the new road to Riwaka, and producing the golden ore in quantities. Tin's district looks like a gold bearing district: deep gullies, flat spurs, and gently undulating benches; water is easy of access, and in ample quantities. ; The Devil's Hill has at length been doing good, and have been getting gold since I wrote you last at about the average of 42 ozs. for four days' washing, .I. understand they have at length procured the services of a good practical manager —one who understands how to lead the men on, and keep them profitably employed. The Colllingwood Company, who met with gold again at 38 feet from the surface by means of a shaft, are again driving. You are aware they propose to raise additional capital by the issue of new shares at .£8 each, to enable them to procure a. crushing machine; they have a quantity of quartz ready for crushing. Our Provincial Engineer took to Nelson with him some samples of what is thought here like Platinum ; he will have it thoroughly tested. Both Washbourne's and the Nelson Companies are going steadily on, with aifS w men. Additional parties are gone to the Quartz Ranges:; a new store is to be erected there. No accounts from Snow's Rush and Upper Anatoki. The old claims at Rocky River are being re-worked, and with payable results. The men in the minor gullies are steadily at work.

Dr. Macklay has again started for the West Coast, having been obliged to return in consequence of hie companion not being, quite up to roughing it. , '

I propose going up to Clarke's river and head of Salisbury Creek in a. few days, and' will report progress in that locality. There is a wide field for enterprise open there, as yet unknown, except to a few prospectors. The diggers from the head of the Para Para are satisfied with their prospects. The bridge across the Slate River is now open for traffic, and has passed the Government inspection—it looks very well, distance from' low water to under side of beam, 32 feet, with a 63 feet span in centre, and two side spans of 40 feet each. A foot bridge is ordered over the. Para Para river ; the new track bids fair to be a useful lino of road.

The Pakawau coal fields are steadily at work. The small vessels running to and from Nelson across the Bay, enliven Golden Bay. The Glebe house *vill soon be ready for our resident clergyman, who arrived by last vessel from London via Lyttelton.