TOTARA.

West Coast Times, Issue 64, 31 October 1865, Page 1 (Supplement)

TOTARA.

(From our own Correspondent.) Ross, 26th October. A great stampede of the unemployed, as also of those whose claims were paying but indifferently well, has taken place during the last few days from this district. Rumours of more gold discoveries down south have agnin caused another rush iv that direction, and some hundreds of anxious diggers are already hastening hot foot towards the supposed locality, although, the reports as to the exnet situation of tho new workings aro at present very vague and contradictory. The distance from the Totara River is variously stated as being from fifteen to forty miles south, but from the most reliable information as yet to be obtained it would apppear that the exact locality is some nine miles up the right hand bank of the Otiriki River, distant two days' journey from the Totara. The workings aro said to be shallow beach and river claims, and the supposed auriferous ground very extensive. As a matter of course all sorts of exaggerated accounts are in circulation as to the yield of gold, varying from pennyweights to ounces per dish, the lowest amount mentioned being 2 dwts. It is known that several separate parties have been prospecting on the southern rivers and lagoons in the neighbourhood of the Murray and Abbott Bluffs for some time past, and their number having been increased of late by numerous voyagers returning from Bruce Bay, it is extremly probable that a new and profitable goldfield has now been discovered. Jones, the well-known prospector of Jones' Gully, is stated to have already visited the spot, and to report very favourably of its appearance.

For the information of intending travellers thereto, it may be mentioned that store supplies are somewhat scanty south of the Totara River. Three or four small stores at the ferry nt tho end of the Totara lagoon, three more on the bench at the junction of the track to Macnally' s Fat, two miles distant, one accommodation house, Crisp's ; nine miles thence, and another, Christie's, some thirty miles further south, being only places were provisions can be obtained at present. Several cf the claims recently taken up on the new township terrace are paying well, whilst others have been already abandoned, as tho ground proves much deeper thnn was first anticipated, nnd the prosent rumors from the south rendering men unsettled, nnd disinclined to undertake any laborious sinking from which the returns are at all uncertain. The hillside, like all other ground ns yet tried hero, proves exceedingly pntchy, no indication of a lead in any direction having as yet been discovered. The work of bringing in the race for sluicing from Donnelly's Creek to Jones's is progressing steadily, and will doubtless prove a very remunerative speculation. It is intended also to turn the creek for some distance, for the purpose of working the bed of tho stream, and to men who have successfully grappled with the difficulties attendant on tho diverting of rebellious currents like the Shotover and other rapid rivers of Otago, the task Avill bo -.comparatively easy as well as profitable. On the right-hand branch of Jones's Creek most of tho sluicing claims are paying well, and the new ground, .as it is opened \ip, proves richer even than the first workings. A further supply of water is only needed to render this gully capable of supporting a much larger number of miners than at present.

In German Gully, many parties are still doing well, and I have had average ■wages mentioned as coining from somo claims which would be perhaps deemed exaggerations if quoted in print. Tho note of litigation has been sounded here of late, the Warden having various cases to decide amongst the claimholdors as to alleged trifling encroachments. A sure indication that ground so jealously protected is of more than ordinary value.

The mining population generally, wherever tho Times or Leadkr circulates, and they Mc already regularly perused in nearly every digger's tent in this district, hail ■with satisfaction the intelligence that the Hokitikans aro at last bestirring themselves to remedy the extremely loose and totally inadequate system of postal affairs. Tho present Post-office and mail service arc virtually of no uso to the digger whatever, being but a mere mockery and delusion. It is true we have one mail per week to and from town, and our local postmaster, Mr C'routzen, is most zealous and obliging in the discharge of his somewhat thankless duties ; but what tho digger wants, wherever he may be located, is a prompt and ready means of communication with the ho d-office in Hokitika. A goldfields' post-office is of little benefit, comparatively spooking, to the ever restless wandering miner, who travels from province to province, and from rush to rush, oftentimes for months, having no fixed place of residence. His only means of corresponding with his district mates or anxious family, is By getting his letters directed to the central office of the province, depending of course, upon the promptitude »f the authorities in for (Yarding his coracspondence to any branch office ho may require. Generally speaking, residents no most o£ the goldfields find this part

of the postal arrangements fairly attended to ; but here, the claim of tho miner to some little benefit from her Majesty's postal service is wholly ignored. No matter the numbor of written applications he may make to have letters forwarded to him, it is rarely, if ever, the longed-for epistles are forthcoming, and a wearisome journey for the purpose of making personal application results in no better success. After patiently waiting his turn nt the crowded window, he is curtly informed by the exhausted looking clerk inside that there is none "for him ;" nnd ho re. tires withfeelings ofunmitigatcd disgust, which is only revived by his seeing", a month or two afterwards his own name staring him in the face from the long lists of " unclaimed " letters. This is tho daily experience of hundreds of miners ; and even when private enterprise steps in to perform the work which a mean, parsimonious government will not pay officials to do, nnd tho Express ngcuts try their best to collect tho distant miners' letters, tho postmaster at Ilokitika is compelled to almost refuse their applications ; not from ony want of inclination to oblige the public, but from sheer inability to perform the duties of his office wtth the scant aid nt his command. On no subject aro tho miners more discontented than the present defective postal arrangements, nnd if signatures to a memorial aro of any avail, the committee appointed at tho late meeting in Ilokitika may rlej>cnd on tho nnmo of every man in this district.