THE NEW DIGGINGS IN MARLBOROUGH.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 667, 4 June 1870, Page 2

THE NEW DIGGINGS IN MARLBOROUGH.

(From the Marlborough Express?) May 28. Our own reporter sends us the following : " I don't think there is room for more than fifty men altogether, as it is but a small creek, and if no more creeks or ground are discovered, it will be a very small diggings indeed. The locality is about six miles from Bythell and Mason's new flax mill, and four from Adams's station at Langley Dale, on which run this creek takes its rise, emptying itself into Bartlett's creek, six miles from the Wairau river. It is very narrow, and all covered with timber, large manuka, or short

manuka scrub ; and very rough and rocky. The gold that the prospectors have got in the creek (about five ounces) has taken them six weeks to get, although they say they have not worked more than half their time. This may be true, but an immense deal of work has been done for the gold they have got. The creek may turn out better than appears at present, as patches may be found ; but I will stake my reputation that for every ounce of gold ten pounds worth of labor will be spent to get it. Two persons have started stores here on a small scale. The Government are greately to blame for their precipitate action in proclaiming it a goldfield, and so causing a rush of people from distant places."

Lateb Pabtictlaes. On Wednesday, Inspector Emerson was despatched to the field, and on his return last evening he kindly supplied us with the following particulars as to what had been done in the several claims, beginning at the top of the creek. Pike and party, 4 dwts. to two dishes of washdirt. Gibson and party had got a good prospect, but while absent to obtain miner's rights, had their claim jnmped by Pringle and party who had rights. Others stated they had obtained fair prospects, but would not reveal to what extent. Cawte and Bagg had their claim challenged by men from Deep Creek, who got 15 dwts. in two hours' sluicing. Griffin and party got 15dwts. in half a day out of Bobinson's claim. Croft and party got 10 dwts. in half a day. M'lntyreandparty,4dwts. on Thursday, and were satisfied. There are several made terraces on the upper banks of the creek, and the men generally believe that the gold has been washed into the creek from them. About 150 men are on the field, but very little real prospecting has been done so far. Inspector Emerson sold seventeen rights to persons on the ground who have struck gold. All hands are commencing to make boxes, and go in for sluicing properly. The sinking averages about three feet.