COLLINGWOOD.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 407, 17 September 1861, Page 2

COLLINGWOOD.

[PROM OUR OWN ' CORRESPONDENT.] September 10, 1861. Since I last addressed you from this district very little change has taken place, everything remaining in a quiescent state. Our leaseholders are steadily working at \t heir claims with the usual variety of success—some doing remarkably well, others doing less, but all are being worked to good profit for the outlay of labor, expended upon them, . :

It would appear that the large companies who were expeoted to do so much good for the district have all proved, to use the expressive term of diggers, 'shicers.' Where are the golden hopea of the Nelson Company ? Where those of the Collingwood Company? . Where are the extensive works, vast amount of skilled labor, the expensive • machinery, the large buildings that were to be erected by those extensive companies the Metallu'rgic and its twin sister the Parapara Gold Mining Associations ? . Echo answers, Where! Alas, that so much time should have been wasted over that arithmetical question you allude to in your obituary, and which has taken so long to demonstrate. But the worst part of it remains to be told—the locking up of such large blocks of auriferous lands. Since the decision ss regards the Metallurgic block has been announced, several applications have been lodged with the Resident Magis trate for leases varying from three up to thirty acres, evidently showißg tbat the working diggers are not afraid to commence operations on ground that has been surrendered by a company that

had the block tested and experimented upon i)y parties sent from the old couotry for the sole purpose. I am also aware of several other applications ready to be put forward as soon as the other block is surrendered.

Had these immense blocks been open to private enterprise a different result would have been shown, and I may safely state that good wages would have been going instead of the pitiful six and seven shillings per day. It is not, I trust, too late yet, aud as the summer passes over we may see the Parapara yielding its golden harvest in the same ratio as the other parts of the Aorere diggings. I am glad to inform you that the application for leases h constantly going on, and that portions of the district hitherto supposed to be not payable are becoming the most valuable.

I hear of a good number who are anxious to take a trip to the West Coast could they procure hands capable of working their claims during their absence. We shall soon be in want of laborers to enable the lessees to fulfil the condition of the leases.

Can you inform us what is doing relative to the blazing of the track .by the Aorere river to the beach at the Heaphy river ? There are many here who would prefer travelling through the district on foot to going by sailing vessel, and are waiting for the track being opened up. There are doubtless between this and the pass at Whakapohai many spurs and gnllies that would be prospected; there is no limit as to where the gold is to be found, if properly looked for.

I see the General Government have now handed over the gold-fields to the Superintendent of the Province. I trust we shall reap the benefit, as we have now been quite loug enough in the enjoyment of the interregnum. ,

We have had another fatal accident in the <t Slate river, by drowning, a young lad, called Walter Jennings, having fallen out of a boat. An inquest was held on the body to-day, when a verdict of accidental death was returned ; the remains were interred at the Collingwood cemetery this day. The uufortunate youth was only fourteen years old. The father returned home from Nelson about a fortnight ago. j

You will see by the returns that, though our population has so much decreased, the usual amount of gold (and in some instauces an excess) is brought over to Nelson.

There is a report current here that the steamer Tasmanian Maid is to be placed on the berth between the Buller and Nelson.

P.S. I can hardly say when you will receive this, as the overland post is anything but regular in the day of arrival.

September 11, 1861. A public raeetiDg was held on Wednesday, September 11th, at Mr. Milea's Hotel, Collingwood, to take into consideration what steps would be advisable to be taken relative to cutting a foot-track to the Heaphy river, by the way of the Aorere valley, Mr. Wingfield Higgin in the cbair. The meeting was fully attended, end great interest taken in the matter. The meeting was addressed by Messrs. Mackay, Miles, Currie, Skilton, and others, all agreeing iv the grea£ necessity for the opening up of the district, and numerous offers were made to contribute by labor or money to effect the purpose. After much conversation Mr. Mackay kindly gave an account of the route, and the comparative ease with which the whole distance from Collingwood to the Buller could be formed into a good and serviceable road; he also offered to go out with the party, and point out the route he thought most desirable,, and would willingly assist in every way he could. It was proposed by Mr. Currie and seconded by Mr. Nearne—■

That a committee bo appointed to prepare a' memorial to his Honor the Superintendent urging npon the Provincial Government the imperative necessity of at once opening a communication between Collingwood and the West Coast by the Aorere Valley, and that this meeting pledge itself to contribute either in money or labor to the furtherance of the same.

Carried unanimously.

Proposed by James Mackay, Esq., seconded by Mr. Sancto—

' That the following persons &c., compose the com roittee:—Messrs. Alex. Currie, J. <V. Miles, J N6ame, and the Chairman. Carried unanimously.

After some desultory conversation the meeting —one of the largest ever held in the district— broke up. The general feeling appeared to be that immediate steps ought to be taken.