THE AUCKLAND GOLD FIELDS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 235, 1 August 1872, Page 9

THE AUCKLAND GOLD FIELDS.

The gold fields both of the Thames and Coromandel have made a decided start, and whatever relapses may occur there is no doubt now both of the stability and extent of the mines. The old claims so long sinking money, such as the Moanataiari, have taken rank as dividend- payers, while the new claims -are being worked with vigor and every prospect of -success. The spirit displayed is also different to that of past years. People no longer go into mining with the idea that they are to make rapid fortunes at a blow. They have learnt that it requires capital, skill, and patience to develop the richest ground. Hence shares in new claims do not sell for a tenta of what they did ; but on the other hand, the buyers are prepared to pay calls to work the claims with a willingness and to an extent that would have been incredible a year ago. At the Thames there is a good list of actual dividend-paying claims, while at Coromandel, the Tokaten, Green Harp, Grolconda, and Bismark indicate* an extent of country which would in itself make the fortune of a Province. Within the ar,e,a -bounded by these claims several, hundreds have been marked out to the great profit of the G-overnfohent — or rather, it should be said of' 'the Maoris — to whom the lease money is paid. Bnfc beyond that, these claims, as a riile, continue dead letters, for excepting in well-organised companies with a fair visible prospect before them, either from the possession of surface reefs or the neighbourhood of well-known claims, no shares are saleable. Looking at these changes, one may safely conclude that,- while the scrip % market will be comparatively quiet? the goldfields will be more energetically worked than ever. The line of reef from the Tokatea to Kennedy's Bay is now the favourite, and the worka going. on along the reef and its neighbourhood are extensive. The Tunnel Company is continuing with vigor its tunnel through the hill to connect Kennedy's Bay with Coromandel, The township at^-the -Coromandel side is already large, and grow-

ing daily. Of course, the cases occasionally occurring of men to-day poor, and to-morrow rich, create excitement, and give spirit to speculation, but there is no longer the fever formerly attending it. The work to be done is better understood, and many sober, steady people, who would not at one time look at shares, are glad of favourable opportunities to take part in developing the hidden wealth, of which such brilliant specimens are being constantly brought to light.

Victoria is deep in a difficulty which will one day reach New Zealand. The right of the nation to sanction mining for gold under private lands seems admitted in Victoria, and it only remains to define the conditions needful to protect the freeholder. The following from a correspondent of a New Zealand paper, shows the position in Victoria : — " The miners and property owners of Ballarat, in conference assembled, have agreed that a board of arbitrators and a mining inspector should be appointed, the board to assess the- amount of compensation which mining companies should pay to property owners for the right to mine on and under their premises." Mr M. Cassius, in a letter to the " West Coast Times," confirms the rumor that he has offered to contribute £200 towards £1000 as a reward fund for the discovery of a payable gold-bearing quartz reef country in the County of Westland, south of the Teremakau. He writes :—": — " The fact of the matter is, that although I have made the offer spontaneously and hardly expecting it to be made public, I would willingly contribute £200 towards a reward fund for the above object, provided £SOO be subscribed by the public, as an encouragement to prospecting parties ; and 1 take this opportunity of repeating my offer, which is to remain binding on me to the Ist January next. I have been induced to offer the above explanation in order to prevent being suspected of making a mere boast, and in the hope that my offer may induce my neighbours and others to come forward, and possibly, thus hasten the tracing of the Inangahua Hue of .reefs, south of the Teremakau."

Captain Bascand, in his report of the last trip of the Waipara from Hokitika as far as Martin's Bay, says the miners at Big Bay appear to be doing very well indeed, the gold obtained being of the best description. The earnings obtained averaged from 15s to 20s per man per day. At the Haast, the miners complain a little, and a party has been formed to go prospecting up the Clarke, a branch of the Haasfe River. A prospecting party went down south of Martin's Bay, and met with payable results in the black sand, but they experienced great difficulty in getting provisions to the place. The settlers at Martin's Bay are all well, and they state that no sickness has occurred in the place since the settlement was formed. They are now very busy cultivating the land, wheat having been already sown, and a great deal more being cleared for cultivation." It is expected that sufficient wheat will be planted, so that a full supply of flour can be obtained at the settlement without being obliged to import. The Waipara brought back upwards of lOOoz of gold from the various places of call.