THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 572, 26 October 1869, Page 2

THE THAMES GOLDFIELD.

The following letter is written bv Thomas E. Morgan, a miner well known on the Kanieri, to Mr James Evans, of the Red Lion Hotel, Gibson's Quay, Hokitika: — "When I arrived at the Thames goldfield I found hundreds (I do not think I would exaggerate if I said thousands) walking about in want of work, but none to be got, and the scrip market in a very low state indeed. I visited the sale rooms, where I found thousands of scrip put up for sale, and no bidding whatever for any, and to my knowledge there are any amount to be purchased at any price; in fact, Wood's Point, in Victoria, was supposed to be a great swindling place, but this beats all that I have seen. Wages are only £2 per week, and the necessaries of life the same scale as Hokitika, with the exception of the 41b loaf, which is lOd. " As regards reefs, I must say that some claims are extraordinarily rich. The principal are Hunt's old claim, the Golden Crown, Long Drive, also. There are several good pile claims besides ; therefore, you can see it is amongst the few. As far as I am able to judge, it will never maintain the present population, and most likely you will see the prodigals returning to the Coast very shortly, for I can assure you that the West Coast is far superior to this place. And as regards business, it is over-done in all its branches. The towns of Graham's and Shortland are about two miles long, with fine substantial buildings, but the streets are in a most awful state, with about two or ijree feet of mud covering them. They would be impassable but for the footpath planked on each side of the street. There are some rumors of the Upper Thames being thrown open, hue; I am afraid it is only to string the uiggers till they have spent the last shilling. Certainly it may be thrown open m\ short time, and it may be a couple of years. Things are very uncertai□ here, and I would strongly advise everyone on the West Coast to stop there if he can get the necessaries of life, for if any come here without money, they would 3tand a good chance of having to fast too much for their constitution. Indeed here we are, about eight of us, boarding in the same hotel, some talking about going to Que asland, others back to the Coast, and it is evident we must leave this place."