OMAHUTU.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 149, 10 June 1892, Page 2

OMAHUTU.

[FROM OUK OWN CORRESPONDENT

I take this opportunity to let you know how things are at present bare. The field which is a government one, and long may it remain so. has now been open for one month, The weekly average at present is about one hundredweight a man. Owing to there being only one store here as yet, the prices offered for gum, as they usually are in such cases, have been very low — ranging from 35s to 40s ; but there is very little chance of the diggers being induced to cell at these rates and things are in consequence not yery lively. There are about thirty men on the field up to date, but I expect a great many more will have arrived by the time this reaches you. The Hanger is kept pretty busy hunting up new comers a- they arrive. A sharp look out is being kept for the two birds of passage who last winter distinguished tbemeeives by stealing gum from their camp mates. Should they return here this season they will have no show to repeat their conemptible crime, as they will be know to all. A good many diggers have gone this season to the government bush between Whangape and Hokianga and which is said by many to be the best bush field around here, but as it is very deep and swampy the gum is much harder to get at. We have had very good weather here until now, hut I expect we will have a wet June to make up for it, As for present prospects, with competition in the field, fair prices may be looked for but at present the prices of gum at the stores, would leave very little indeed after paying store account and license fee.