SKETCH OF THE THAMES GOLDFIELDS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 169, 4 May 1871, Page 3

SKETCH OF THE THAMES GOLDFIELDS.

(O-reymouih " Evening Star. "J

The winter of 1867 was a very trying time in Auckland. A period of fictitious prosperity had preceded it. This was due to the Maori war. But that was also the cause of tho terrible adversity that followed. It was according to the irreversible law of Providence: "They have sown to the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." The advent of soldiers, the demand of the commissariat, the influx of settlers driven from their farms — all these things, together with the tide of immigration setting in from the mother country, swelled the town into undue proportions. Fora while money was plentiful, trade was brisk, and profits were large. Property suddenly acquired au enormous value Building lots were sold to an extent which would have made Auckland " an exceeding great city." But now the war had collapsed ; troops and government officials i^l gone elsewhere ; and " the nakedness of the land " was exposed. There was a terrible reaction. The laro;e Maori trade, which had been a great support to Auckland before the war, had all but disappeared. There was utter stagnation. Trade languished ; property was valueless ; bankruptcy was common. Crime trod upon the heels of poverty The Provincial Government was burdened with the support of multitudes ; skilled artizans were breaking stones on the roads for Is 6d per day ; and the firebells were in daily use because of the infamous incendiary. Universal ruin was staring both Government and people in the face. Nor was there any visible means of relief. The country was devastated ; the town was ruined ; the people were demoralised.

It was in this extremity that four vouug men resolved to '' try the diggings." They came to the Thames. It seemed but a forlorn hope. A few years before a noise had been made about the Coromandel diggings, which had been given up as a duller. The names of the young men were "White, Hunt, Clarkson, and Cobley. Providentially, they were led to the mouth of a small creek richly clothed with vegetation, where they soon found some " specimens." This was in the month of August, 1867. But few would credit it. They had no money, nor would the banks advance any. Two bank clerks, however, were persuaded to venture one hundred pounds each for a share in the concern. They were soon and amply repaid, for within a short time, by dint of perseverance, these young men had extracted specimens which yielded iv one month's crushing more than ten thousand ounces of gold. Each of these young men had good sense to marry a wife, aud take care of his money, and they are now men of wealth. This was in the Shotover claim.

Their pjreat success inspired the public mind with confidence. The Government, through its Commissioner, made arran^emeuts with the native owners for tho use of the ground within a given distance. The agreement was made hastily and indefinitely, and has led to many complications and vexatious lawsuits. The town of Shortland was laid out in leasehold allotments. The site has been a native cultivation, and is mostly flat (being at the foot of a lofty range

of hills)., part of it a swamp, and the rest a peach grove, with here and there a cluster of Maori huts or a sacred burial ground. It was soon covered with tents, which soon extended up the sides of the hills ; and these were ere long superseded by wooden houses. A "rush" set in. The little cutters gave place to steamers, which were daily filled with eager passengers. Auckland was excited. Hundreds of empty houses were taken down and rebuilt at the Thames. Capital was unlocked ; the country farms were deserted ; and all were " off to the Thames." The auri sacra fames took possession of the public mind. The forest was levelled ; the hills were burrowed ; machines v ere erected ; and an army of sharebrokers were ready to victimise speculators. Maoris were receiving at the rate of many thousands per annum for miners' rights. Men reckoned their worth by the number of their " interests "at the Thames. Building lots ran up to fabulous prices in Shortland ; and private enterprise eclipsed its glory by forming a larger town and erecting a wharf on a tract of land leased from the natives, and to be thenceforward called Grahamstown. This is at present the main place of business. Crowds of people thronged the newly-formed streets, which in wet weather looked more like the " Slough of Despond."

For a while a decided monomania prevailed. This could not last long. Bubble companies, scrip fever, " quartz on the brain " — all must soon run their course. At last, the sad reality came forth. Numbers were ruined. The Thames was at a discount. There had been a few prizes, but many, many blanks. The great mistake had been made of substituting the pen and ink for the pick and shovel. Shares that had been reckoned as fortunes became not only unsaleable, but no one would even accept them for the fear of the "calls." Companies were wound up. Blank disappointment sab on men's faces. They repaired to the bankruptcy court to avoid the exaction of their debts. The reaction had fairly set in, and the Thames was thought to be nothing but "a huge swindle." Thoughtful men knew better. They wrought on, and now the results are beginning to appeal-. Great as was the richness of the Shotovor, other claims hav<? proved much richei*. The Caledonian, for instance, which during the three years has cost the shareholders about £18,000, has more than recouped the whole by proceeds of ouly ten days. Even during the depression which is now we trust passing, there has been average of nearly £30,000 per month from this field. But for this Auckland must have fallen back upon the woeful condition of 18G7. It is the principal source of rev one to the Government, if we shut out that proceeding from the suicidal sale of intoxicating liquors. And now that there is at least the dawn of the revival of commercial prosperity, it is to be hoped the community will profit by the costly lessons of past experience.

It is the belief of practical miners that this is the richest goldmine ever known, and that it extends throughout the entire promontory to Cape Colville in the north, and to the mountains of Okinemuri in the south. There are no alluvial diggings. Capital and skill are required to develope the riches of these hills. The best finds are discovered at very low levels. Those of the Caledonian are 100 feet under the level af the sea. At Tararu, at Coromandel, and in other places, success is rewarding the efforts of enterprising men. It will doubtless take time to recover the effects of the late crisis, but there is every reason to believe that a very promising future lies befor? the Thames. The rush has long since ceased, and the population has greatly fallen off. There are perhaps from 10,000 to 12,000 people now on the field, of whom about one-half of the number are in and about the town, for Shortland and Grahamstown now form one extended town. Many batteries woiked by steam are constantly going, and these will be multiplied when the water- works are ready, by which means a less expensive power will be available. A wise Government would not have left this so long neglected. Tramways have been laid up four of the creeks for transmission of stuff to the batteries, and all the apparatus of a large mining district reminds one of Cornwall. There are many goorl buildings and a multitude of showy shops in the town. Two of the best residences are owned by natives. The streets are yet, for the most part, unmetalled. But Pollenstreet, one mile and a half long, is well made, ana plied with 'busses every hour of the day. Two passenger steamers, the Golden Crown and the Royal Alfred, — either of which would do credit to any port — ply daily between the Thames and Auckland. The passage is from three to four hours and a half, and the scenery delightfully romantic.

The geographical position of the Thames, as well as its mineral wealth, points to agreat future. That far-seeing circumnavigator, Captain Cook, said that if New Zealand became a colony, the Thames should be its capital. It is the natural highway to the South, via Tauranga, Maketu, Taupo, &c. It must be the terminus of a trunk road throughout this island. It is separated from the Waikato district by only one range of hills, not very broken ; and

Waikato is the most, if not the only valuable territory for agriculture in the North. There is an admirable trait of couutry for settlement on tho Upp'-f Thames, which fine river is naviga >lo for fifty miles and more. At pre^-nt it is locked up in the hands of tho natives, and will be while Government agents tease or coax them. Auckland has no outlet, and little country that is any use.

The North i 3 well supplied with water communication and fine forests of timber ; but the land is for the most part very poor. Charming spots for residence may be found anywhere ; but scope for farms, pastoral or arable, is very limited. The "railway " scheme will, like that of the Auckland and Drury, prove an expensive abortion, for it can lp,id to nowhere. Tho most forliio siretehc3 away along tue southeastern coasr, and jwins the Waikatu The harbour of the Thames is spacious and sheltered, and the time must come when — supplied with wharves, and the adjoining country settled — it will be the emporium of the North, the overland terminus from South ; and Auckland will retire into the shade."