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Pebseevation Inlet. This is the port to which all the vessels come when bringing stores and mining requisites to the mining population situate on Coal and Crayfish Islands and on the mainland. In this locality some fairly rich finds have been made at different times, and the character of the gold found in the alluvial drifts indicate that there will be rich quartz lodes yet discovered in the vicinity. A great deal of the gold found in the bed of Wilson's Eiver came from the quartz lode that the stream has denuded to a great extent at the Golden Site Company's claim, and the gold found in Sealers' Creek came from the denudation of quartz lodes, inasmuch that the gold found here in the alluvial drifts on the terraces is all of such a character as it would be when newly liberated from quartz. It is not water-worn to any extent, and has small pieces of quartz attached to it. No doubt the day will come when a good lode will yet be discovered in this locality. At Wilson's Eiver there are only a few parties working in the alluvial drift on the bank and bed of the river. In very few places is there any wash-drift on the sides of the river for a considerable distance below where the Golden Site quartz-lode crosses the river-bed; any workings here are merely turning over rocks and boulders, while all the loose material can almost be washed off in a tin dish. The terraces begin to come in a little above where the track from the mouth of Preservation Inlet towards the Waiau crosses Wilson's Eiver, and some workings are carried on here ; but it is said that with the exception of a few claims that are giving fair returns the men are only making very small wages. At Coal Island there are still a few claims being worked, but it is said with poor results, and those at work on Crayfish Island are not any better off. Gold has been found both in the alluvial drifts and in a quartz-lode on the mainland between Preservation and Chalky Inlet, which, it is said, will give payable returns for working; but at the present time too little is known about this part of the country to induce people to go to this place with the intention of getting a claim which will pay wages for working. There are fairly rich patches of ground sometimes, but so far they have not proved to be of any large extent. A very gloomy letter relating to this goldfield appears in the Qtago. Weekly Neios, from the correspondent to that paper, which is dated the 12th April last, of which the following is an extract: — " Mining matters on this goldfield are at the present duller and more hopeless than ever they have been since its opening some five years ago. There are scarcely three claims in the whole district paying £1 10s. a week per man, and even these are all but worked out, and the number of 'tucker' claims are few and far between." He refers to glowing accounts of a rush to Tarawai (probably Te Whara) Beach given in the Southland Times, and of an extraordinarily rich reef being found on Crayfish Island. In regard to the rush at Tarawai Beach, he says it was a very insignificant little patch, not worth more than passing notice, as from the formation of the ground it could only be of very limited extent. As for the Crayfish Island Eeef, he could never find one, and does not believe that ever a paying reef will be found there. As for a company being formed, that is nothing. Several companies have been formed here whose shareholders will not get gold enough out of them to pay for the paper the prospectus is printed on. He goes on to state that another correspondent advises miners intending to come here to bring boats with them, which had the effect of inducing from eighty to one hundred miners to come round with tools, boats, &c, fully equipped to pass the winter here. Some even brought their wives, and the result was disappointment and loss to all, and a great hardship to many. It cannot be too widely known to miners that the ground here is very patchy, the patches very small, very far between, and, at the best, very poor, while the work is of the very hardest. The only good thing about this quarter is the healthiness of the district. One never hears of colds, influenza, or even rheumatism. With such a glowing account, one has to think well before leaving any ground elsewhere to seek their livelihood at these diggings. At the same time, it is in a portion of the colony which a few years ago was terra incognita, and even yet very little is known respecting it. Any one going here must make up their mind to thoroughly undergo the hardship of a digger's life, and be prepared to do a considerable amount of prospecting. No doubt a boat is a great convenience to the miners in taking them from one part of the inlet to another; but before this country is opened up and prospected there will have to be a considerable amount of swagging done, and men will have to put up with the discomforts of a tent-life in a part of the colony where there is a considerable rainfall. But with all this, if a good field be discovered, either alluvial or quartz workings, all the discomforts will quickly disappear, small townships will be formed, and good communication established. Several prospectors have been out in the back-country, and, although they have not yet been successful in finding payable gold, the country that they have passed through is said to be encouraging to carry on prospecting operations. Chalky Inlet. Whatever the result of the prospecting party that went out in the end of last year has been, they certainly have given a deal more information in respect to this part of the colony than ever was known before. Mr. Carrick, who went out with the party, has forwarded a deal of useful information in regard to the character of the country which was heretofore a terra incognita. Mr. Carrick has been on the goldfields for a large number of years. His object on the present occasion was not so much the prospecting for gold as exploring the country. He is connected with the Press, and, as a Pressman, he has written an interesting description of the country for the Waimea Plains Review, besides furnishing a map showing the places where he had been, and where gold was obtained. Mr. Carrick was commissioned by the proprietor of the newspaper referred to, to proceed to this part of the colony in the early part of November last, and he returned about the middle of February, after having been away sixteen weeks in practically an unknown land. In his description he divides his subjects into the following heads: (1) Cuttle Cove, Te Whara Beach, and Chalky; (2) Te Whara Beach as Gold-bearing Country; (3) The Cunaris ; (4) The Subalpine ; (5) Timber Belts, &c.