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The Diary of James Brogden, August 1871 – December 1872

3 April 1872

3 April 1872

The next day was frightfully wet. I went down a gold mine, called Cassius’ Claim, where the gold is found in layers as if the bottom of levels of streams at different periods were indicated by the gold course. A large body of water requires to be pumped, and as the claims are small in area, it does not pay so very well. Cassius bought his claim for £1000, but it pays him now about £250 per week. More water supply would procure more gold. The mountain sides are generally covered with alluvial deposit in which gold can be worked profitably, but there is no money in the district as yet. Melbourne supplies the markets of this West Coast, which the Southern page 89 Alps divide from the adjoining Province of Canterbury, and more is known about Westland in Melbourne than in any part of New Zealand, and vice versa. Melbourne Newspapers, Melbourne fashions and Melbourne talk are prevalent; - and from all we hear, never was anything more lax than the neglect of the West Coast by the Govt.