THE ALLEGED GOLDFIELD AT THE THAMES.

West Coast Times, Issue 592, 17 August 1867, Page 3

THE ALLEGED GOLDFIELD AT THE THAMES.

"We "Grey River Argus" have received the following letter from, a correspondent, dated Auckland,- July 30th. The writer was until recently a resident in Greyniouth, and his statement may he accepted as reliable : — (To the Editor of the "Grey River Argus.") Auckland, July 30, 1867. Sib, — As the present excitement in Auckland about the Thames goldfield, as it is called, might very likely induce miners to come here from the Coast, I hasten to give you the fullest information about the so-called goldfield. Being in Auckland about a week ago on business, I heard a rumor that gold had been got at the Thames. I spoke to I. Williams and S. Hamilton, both shipmates with me from the Grey, and we went to Mr Mackay, the Native Commissioner, to see if he could give us any information about it, as we heard it was on native land. He told us they had long known that there was gold at the Thames, but the natives would not allow it to be worked ; but one of the chiefs had now come in, willing to allow his land to be prospected. He also told us that if we choose, he would give us a passage, as he bad just chartered a small coasting vessel to proceed there direct. We accordingly purchased a few tools, and arrived on the ground last Thursday. Mr Mackay then went to a valley a few miles off to hold a meeting with the natives, but showed us within what boundaries we might prospect until he returned. The men that had come up with us from Auckland — about twelve in number — now scattered about, looking for prospects. At the bottom of one creek we came upon two sluice boxes, all properly arranged for work : they belonged to two Maoris who had worked the West Coast. They gave us • every facility to try their stuff, m no dish ™of which could we get more than five colors. They told us they were Six weeks getting five pennyweights ; but they were evidently not on the bottom. From Thursday to Mr Mackay's arrival on Saturday, the prospects got were very light, and, whether payable or not, could not be determined with what appliances we had brought with us. After Mr Mackay's arrival, the boundaries were extended, and a coarser sample was got in a narrow creek. Tim is exactly as the case now stands s

and the Auckland people expect 2000 diggers from the West Coast right off to occupy ground one and a-half miles wide and about two miles long ; and if you overstep the boundary a fool, you run the risk of losing your head ; and I can safely say there has not been half-an-ouncc of gold got altogether tip to the present time. But this morning's paper says we got from one shovelful of soil, taken promiscously, some three pennyweights of gold which I know to be a deliberate falsehood, and I would caution diggers not to be influenced by any reports they ma^sec in the Auckland papers — which can only end in a disappointment and loss. As I intend to stay a little longer and see it out. I will let you know the result.