COLLING WOOD.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 389, 16 July 1861, Page 3

COLLING WOOD.

■ [from a correspondent.] $ince I last addressed you a thorough change has taken place in the minds of the miners in this and the Takaka district, in consequence of the continued accounts of the new diggings at the Wangapeka, and especially so soon as it was understood the Provincial Government had decided to open up that district by means of available roads, to enable the diggers to procure tools and provisions in ail easier manner than by humping (a plan at all times distressing and irksome). Had the course now pursuing been adopted when the Aorere diggings first broke out a different state of things would, iv all' probability, have resulted; be that as it may, no one will attempt to deny the Aoxere gold-fields have proved a valuable medium to the City of Nelson, and though now in the hands of the General Government, still the earnings of the diggers all go to the same centre. We see in the return trips of the cutter Supply, from here, IGO to 230 ounceb of gold, as being landed at Nelson through the Customs; the whole of this sum is drained from this district in return for goods and provisions supplied ; and as this district produces little or no agricultural produce, we may fairly state that Nelson and her suburbs must to a certain extent be dependent on this district as a main outlet. Wliy then attempt to kill the Golden Goose? Why not much rather foster carefully? Why do you so often hear, " send it to the diggings, anything will do for them," fabulous charges made for articles to which the diggers must submit, else starve or run into debt; and once there, he has but small chance of getting clear again; small supplies sent, so that when an article becomes scarce higher prices may be demanded. The very fact that 30 per cent, has been offered as commission for the collection of debts fully shews the returns must in general be handsome. Now, when diggers are rushing to the Wangapeka in 15 and 20 at a time, endeavoring to regain the large Bums lost by hard labor, incessant toil, and indomitable energy, it is to be hoped they will meet With a different return for their exertions: the life of a gold digger is a life of hardship and severe wear and tear on the constitution ; every one who has seen them at work freely acknowledge they dearly earn what they procure. In a country like this the average of a digger's labor is not more than four days per week, at the same time he must live and be clothed the whole seven. How hard is it when he cannot procure good, sound food, and must use an inferior quality. In an- | other week or so all the diggers will be away from here, and none but the leaseholders left. I am glad to say all these are doing well and steadily at work; new applications are making in Appoo's Gully, M'Cartney's Hill, Quartz Ranges, Marcella Hill, Waikarabubu, &c, by men who seem determined not to be induced-to run about the island after a few crying Gold, Gold; such men need to have every attentton paid to their wants. At the same time I would not wish to cry down any new district, I would foster rather than deprecate. As the very fact of a new digging being discovered leads naturally to further development and insight into the interior of the province ; diggers in general are inclined to "go ahead" and look about the neighborhood where located, and frequently, at their own cost, make journeys round about for the sole purpose of seeing what country lays beyond them. Most of them are fond of exploration, especially those who have pursued digging for some time. That gold runs at Wangapeka no one will deny, but where ? Not in banks and spurs only iv the bed of the creeks; the question then must be, where does it come from ? and experience is showing daily the best gold is on the hills- and w^.*. i*as been procured has merely been washed down by thb torrents. Turn we then as a proof to the mighty Buller, whose tributaries are larger than our rivers, and what do we find ? that there again the gold is found in paying quantities. Our richest diggings hero and in'Takaka are on the tops of the hills, why then should not some of our large hills prove very remunerative? To develop this the Wangapeka must be traced through the range of mountains, and where do they lead to? the mighty Buller. Taking this for granted the inference is, which is the nearest and best route ? The reports of our exploring parties so far lead to the West Coast. As the Wangapeka is supposed to be a difficult if not an impracticable one, why not connect the two by sea on both sides ? The last Maories from the Buller brought £42 worth of gold, and all obtained by means of a knife: this has induced a large party of Maories to start from here, another party start in two days, and a third patty at the end of the week. The main difficulty is the want of provisions down there, and no road except by the sea coast: the distance from here is 110 miles, of which about one half requires little or no making. I see on the estimates a sum proposed of £150 to blaze a track. Why, it is only about 7Jd. per chain—it is a mere cipher, and to propose so small an amount is a complete farce, and bears nothing in the face of it commensurate with the advantages to be gained thereby: no means to take cattle or sheep down as the sea coast is impracticable almost for man, much more so for cattle &c. I trust some of your influential members of Council will take up this portion of the district. A much more reasonable sum is proposed for the Wangapeka district—why put on the curb so tight on the West Coast road via Aorere Valley ? It is manifest to any man the more money you lay out for exploration in a gold district, the sooner will rich and ample returns be made into the Nelson coffers, and much valuable information obtained, at present locked up. The late native war did not deter emigrants from leaving the old country, and many more are ready and willing to tempt the waves, and try their fortunes, were they only satisfied there was a chance of earning a comfortable livlihood for themselves and families, young, stout, stalwart men, with plenty of bone and sinew, anxious and willing to become pioneers in a new country, and lead the way for making the colony of New Zealand second to none in the South Pacific, are " aye ready," and with the rich treasures she has been proved to contain in gold and other valuable minerals tbere is no limit to be placed to the proud position she must and will eventually take among the nations of the world, provided she is governed by her rulers with a keen discriminating eye, and with a firm, though gentle hand, and means found for the thorough development of her products by the supply of a small portion of that wealth it is the pride of a Briton to look back upon, oven that wealth earned by the anxious thought, the keen sense of honor and fair dealing ■which has been amassed by his forefathers, and which would soon be missed from home. Often are enquiries made relative to sending out the ready cash, satisfactorily proving there does not lack the will or the means to assist the colony did they but receive such accounts as would fairly justify their doing so. What must they think of the present proceedings of the Council Hall night after nighU It would repay a stranger well to walk in and listen to the squabbling carried on —each district endeavoring to clutch the loaf and leave the fishes for those who can catch them. It would remind him of the well-known conduct of the professional auction attenders, " I want so and so, don't bid against me, and I won't bid against you," So long as such is carried on by a few there will never be any permanent good done. In a few years it will require as much trouble as it did the Augean stables to thoroughly eradicate the evils complained of. I trust you will excuse my long-winded yarn, and not consider I have trespassed too much on your valuable space: I am only anxious to see such paltry smugglings cease, and works proposed carried out, for the general good of the district at large.

■wr yo tlie bye 'after all tllc fuss aml bounce >tlle Wsngey-pickinga are trilling—something under 00 ounces!!! One good party would wash it in a month easily at some of ouv leaseholds, and there it takes some 200 to do it. Oh Tempora! Fact?, are stubborn things,