THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 540, 7 August 1869, Page 3

THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

In an article on the prospects of this goldfield the Thames Advertiser says:— "In referring to the great excitement and speculation which at present exists in Auckland with respect to shares in claims on this gold-field, it is more necessary for us to speak words of caution than add fuel to the flame. It is quite true that the returns from some of the claims lately have been such that the soberest heads are apt to be turned by the immense wealth gained by those who purchased shares only a few months ago at trifling sums. We need only refer to our battery returns for some time past in proof of the fairly astounding wealth of the Thames—a wealth undreamed of by the most sanguine for long after the gold-field had been opened. Over a large part of the field —by far the larger part—the claims have not really been opened out, and we fully expect that many of these will yet rank as high as those now famous. But, notwithstanding this, we would rather see a quiet and steady progress, than the exciting gambling in scrip that is now going on in Auckland, which will tend, if carried too far, to do harm to the field. And we must confess that we look with some alarm at what is going on, and what seems to be coming. It is not easy, perhaps, when, as in the case of the Long Drive, quantities of stone, consisting half of gold, are taken out, to restrain wild speculation. Still, we would advise caution, in the best interests of the field itself."