THE DIGGINGS.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 415, 15 October 1861, Page 3

THE DIGGINGS.

September 23rd, 1861. •Sik —I arrived here from Napier [in the Northern Island of New Zealand] seven weeks ago, and proceeded without delay to the Tuapeka diggings. I prospected several parts of Gabriel's Gully, and found the heaviest gold near the top of the gully. After working two good payable claims in the above gully, I set out prospecting to the Waitahuna, after which I partly sunk a hole, two hundred yards above Manbridge's claim, and bottomed the same on Friday the 20th. I washed six buckets of wash-stuff with a cradle, which I borrowed from parties working there, which turned out 15 dwts. 2 grs., and my certain belief is that the Waitahuna will turn out equally as good as Gabriel's Gully. lam sorry to say that hundreds of men are going thither, who merely look at the diggers, and don't seem to have the fortitude to turn to and go to work like men; and those are the parties who give the diggings a bad name, which greatly disheartened a good many of them. I myself, with two others, after arriving at Gabriel's Gully, had only £2 16s. amongst the three. We commenced with a riddle, bucket, tin dish, pick, and ehovel, to wash the tailings of old deserted claims, and in the course of four days we were able to purchase a California pump, sluice, &c. The claim, both at the Waitahuna and at Gabriel's Gully, being very wet, we took two more into our party, and since then we have done very well. I would advise parties going to the diggings to go in five or six in a company, and if each had £6 they would then be able to go to work properly, and it will be a very poor claim indeed if it don't turn out an ounce per day each man. The only drawback at the Waitahuna is the want of firewood : it haß to be carried for a distance of three miles. A. John Johnston.

Mount Stuart, 16th Sept., 1861. Sir—Viewing with great anxiety the excessive influx of population^ I should; iv common with every one who is alive to the subject, feel greatly relieved to learn if any measures are taken at head

quarters to moot the crisis which may be pending. From my own observation 1 see hundreds toiling on to the diggings each day, while numbers are returning bogging bread, having, in the hope of success, remained at the diggings and spent their lust farthing.

After having spent large sums upon encouraging immigration, are the Government doing nothing for those who have come with such high expectations, not to be realised ; or are they to be left to make a living, ' honestly if they can, but to get a living.' Increasing the police will increase expenses, but can never prevent people starving. The present seems a time when something should be done to employ the unsuccessful diggers, and with such a country as Otago there need be no difficulties. Great Britain can borrow hundreds of millions for wars and useless expenses ; Canterbury can borrow a large sum for an isolated railway. Could not Otago, with everything to be done, and with great natural resources, raise as much money as make a good metalled road from Duucdin to the Tokomairiro, or, I would even say from the Waitaki to the Mataura. The present would be a good time to effect a loan, which might obviate a great amount of misery and confusion, and prove of great benefit to the province. I have been led to make the above remarks, as I understand Mr. Thomas takes in a favorable report of the diggings, while I would earnestly desire that the Government should be prepared for the worst. Should the diggings succeed the interest would be a light matter, and should they fail, which is far from improbable, the means might be at hand to improve the country, and to prevent much suffering and crime and unproductive expenses. lam, <fee, * Thomas Murray.