OTAGO.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.] Monday, August 18. On Saturday morning the town was roused from its slumbers by the newsmen shouting out the discovery of a gold field near Mount Watkins, and that 87 lbs. weight of gold had been brought in by two men as the result of their labour for ten weeks on this new ground. Two days of fine dry windy weather had made the streets again passable, and the effect of this unexpected announcement was electric. To-morrow will be Tuesday and we are still ignorant of all but the bare fact that there in the Treasury lie the bags containing, the "pile" of these two lucky diggers, but, as to the exact locality from which it was obtained we are left to guess and wonder. We know only that the men are in treaty with the Government as to a reward before they will divulge anything further and seem fully alive to the value and importance of the information they can give. It is to be hoped they will not be silent too long as suspicion is soon engendered. Already one hears doubts expressed and there are not wanted men so cruelly sceptical as to declare the whole affair "a sell" and to believe in a faint kind of way that the bags contain quite as much lead as gold. This is, however, very unlikely, and the majority of people believe the discovery to be genuine and the prelude to another and a larger rush from Australia. -Lyttelton Times.
We are in receipt of a letter which we are not able to insert, owing to our rule, requiring that the name of the writer be furnished, not having been complied with. The suggestion it contains is however a commendable one. It proposes that a public ovation should be given to Messrs. Hartley and Riley for the valuable discovery they have made. Whether it would be better to defer this for the present, until further particulars concerning the field are to hand, we do not pretend to say, but at any rate the exertions of the prospectors are deserving of public recognition besides that the Government proposes to give. It should be kept in mind that the discovery of the field was not an easy matter nor was it effected without great judgment, intelligence, and endurance of much hardship. They did not obtain the gold by accident, they set out for the purpose of prospecting, and succeeded, where ninety men out of a hundred might have failed. To acknowledge services of this kind, is not only a duty but a pleasure, and whenever the proper time arrives we are sure the public will not be behind in presenting to Messrs. Hartley and Riley a proof of the appreciation in which their services are held. -Otago Daily Times, 20/8/1862.
THE HARTLEY DIGGINGS.
We have been at some loss in considering a name for the new Diggings. The most obvious would be the Clutha or Molyneux, but there is this objection, that the river of that name waters an immense extent of country, and there may be several distinct gold fields on its banks. The same thing has occurred at the Loddon River in Victoria. There are several gold fields bordering upon its waters, and the attempt to designate any one of these the Loddon Diggings always failed, so much confusion was found to result. Another name that suggests itself is the Kawarau, and which, as it is a native one, we would gladly adopt, with the desire to preserve the aboriginal nomenclature. But the same difficulty presents itself. The present diggings may extend away from the Kawarau to the North, to the East, or to the South; whilst, on the upper waters of the river, near Lake Wakatip, a distinct gold field may be found.
A third name which suggests itself, and which we think it best to adopt, is that of one of the prospectors, Mr. Hartley. The prospectors both deserve to have their names handed down in connection with the gold field; but on the score of euphony Riley is forbidden. "Hartley" is free from this objection; it is besides euphemistic and convenient, and besides, of the two, we fancy that Mr. Hartley is the more experienced prospector.
The excitement yesterday was immense. From early morning until dark, crowds of men equipped with swags, or leading pack horses, were to be seen taking the West Taieri or the Blue Skin road. Many, we are informed, went away very ill provided, and we cannot too urgently impress upon those who propose going, that there is a total absence of stores in the neighborhood, and that, from the nature of the country, it will be some time before any quantity can be sent there. The prospectors came down by the West Taieri; they left on Sunday, and entered town on Thursday. The Waikouaiti road will be found the most available for drays at least at present. A third road could be used by Oamaru and Lindis. From the Lindis it is nearly thirty miles to the Hartley, and a dray could be taken over twenty of it. The spot where the richest gold was obtained, was about sixteen miles from Shennan's home station
We have been requested to state that Miners' Rights can be obtained at the office of the Chief Commissioner for the gold fields, fronting Princes-street. The Government merely intend to send up some one to report on the field, but not a prospecting party as seemed to be generally supposed yesterday from the many persons who inquired at the office. We republish the particulars which appeared in yesterday's paper, as there was such an extensive demand for it that we were unable to supply enough papers by several hundreds. -Otago Daily Times, 20/8/1862.
STATEMENT OF THE MEN.
We started on a prospecting trip about the 1st of February last, crossing the Molyneux at Oliver's, and striking it again about twenty miles above Pinkerton's. We here obtained sufficient prospects from the banks of the river to justify us in believing that we should find rich diggings higher up the streams, or as soon as we came to a favorable place. About twelve or fifteen miles below the junction of the Manuherikia we first obtained payable prospects. We tried a number of small bars that we thought would pay about an ounce a-day by working with a cradle. The river was very high at the time, and but little of the bars being out of water, we could not tell much about it, but the diggings on this part of the river will not possibly be of much extent. There are, however, for ten or fifteen miles below where we obtained our prospects - flats, and what appear to be old channels of the river, some of them several miles in length. We attempted to prospect several of them, but having no bucket or rope, and besides having the misfortune to break our shovel so as to render it valueless for sinking, we were not able to bottom, and were obliged to push on. The rich part of the river where we obtained the gold is between the Manuherikia and Upper Clutha Valleys. By the time we arrived here our provisions were exhausted, and our tin dish broken by a fall on a hill-side, so that we could only wash a few handfuls of dirt at a time. We bought a little flour, and borrowed a tin dish from one of the stations in the Manuherikia Valley, and panned out forty ounces in about a week. We then went up the river as far as the junction of the Kawarau, and having satisfied ourselves that there was plenty more gold to be had, we started for Dunedin to get pack-horses and an outfit for a winter campaign. We returned by the way of Waikouaiti and the Shag Valley. We did not cross the river at the old place, as we wished to avoid the people at the station, who had seen us before. Our object was to work only the richest spots, as we did not know how soon we might be discovered and "rushed." For the first month or six weeks, we were well satisfied with two or three ounces a day each, but as the river became lower, and we learned more of the nature and extent of the diggings, we did not wash anything unless we thought it would pay about a pound weight a day — that is, six ounces each. The best dirt we found was the surface dirt on the bars. We did not usually wash more than from three to six inches of the top dirt — a loose sandy gravel easily washed, but in some places we took from one to two feet of it. We had nothing to do but to set the cradle at the edge of the river, and keep it going from morning to night, as one could get dirt and feed the cradle as fast as the other could wash it. The gold is very fine, and accompanied by a great quantity of black sand, from which it is difficult to separate it. The gold we got on the bed rock is heavier, but we did not work any scarcely after the first month or so, as we found that we could not expect to make more than from one to four ounces a day, although we did find several good crevices, from one of which we took over twelve ounces in a few hours. There are high terrace-like banks or bars on both sides of the river, in some places several hundred yards in width, and composed, to a great extent, of washed quartz gravel and boulders. In several places there are what appear to be old channels of the river, some of them of considerable length. We did not work above the junction of the Kawarau, but there was every indication of rich diggings of the Upper Clutha Valley and, on the hill sides, there are numbers of large quartz reefs. Very little rain falls m this part of the country; we did not lose more than two days altogether by wet weather. The winter is the best time for working along the banks of the river as it is highest during the spring and summer and many of the places that we worked will be under water. The best way to get there is to take the Shag Valley Road from Waikouaiti to the Manuherikia Valley, but persons on foot or horseback can go by the West Taieri, Campbell Thompson's and Valpys. This is the way we came down, and is much the shortest.
CONDITIONS OF REWARD. The conditions agreed to between the Provincial Government and Messrs. Hartley and Riley, the discoverers, are, that they are to receive a reward of £2,000, on receipt in three months of 16000 oz. of gold, the produce of the locality. The men are to give every possible information as to the gold-producing spots, and explain the mode of working — one or both men to go with a Government party, and point out the locality.
The gold field is to be not less than five miles from any place where 100 miners are working, and if the place has been discovered and worked by any other party before the date of disclosure of the discovery, the reward to Hartley and Riley is to lapse. The men state that they were tracked and discovered by a Victorian miner to the very spot where they were getting their richest yields on one of the river bars, but so ignorant was he of the system of working that they succeeded by doleful statements of disappointment, and by saying they were only just "making tucker" to disarm the suspicions of the man, and he left them without suspecting the richness of the place.
The men state that the ordinary system of working by Victorian miners is no good. There is plenty of bush and available timber. -Otago Daily Times, 20/8/1862.
THE EIGHTY SEVEN POUNDS WEIGHT OF GOLD!
A great excitement was manifested all through Saturday, concerning the alleged new gold field from which the eighty seven pounds weight of gold reported in our last issue was said to be obtained. All kinds of rumours were afloat, some averring that the whole thing was a sham, whilst others indulged in glowing anticipations. From further inquiries we have made, we think there is no doubt of the bona fides of the matter. The gold is enclosed in a number of different bags, evidently made in the bush under circumstances of difficulty. Some of these are of old canvass, others of pieces of moleskin trowsers, whilst they are all roughly sewed with twine. The lucky owners of the gold are Americans or have resided a long while in America. They describe the locality as most promising. According to their statements they obtained the gold over six miles of country, going from claim to claim whenever they could not obtain twelve ounces daily. The gold is exceedingly fine, and looks as if it had been washed down a water course. They prospected the locality from its resemblance to Californian country, and they say that the Victorian miners do not know where to look for gold here, they only believe in the same indication as in Victoria, whereas the nature of the raining is quite different. The finders of the gold ask the Government for a reward for pointing out the spot, and their offer we believe is under consideration. If they are at all moderate in their demands, we think the Government would be fully justified in acceding to them.
THE HARTLEY DIGGINGS. We have elsewhere referred to the excitement which still continues in reference to the new diggings. Indeed, it seems to be rather on the increase than otherwise. We are afraid that a number of those who go will be subjected to great hardships, owing to the scarcity of provisions. There are two or three tracks along which it is said to be possible to send drays. The one by Waikouaiti we have already referred to, there is besides one by Oamaru, through the Lindis to the junction of the Molyneux. Some affirm this to be the best dray road. Coaches, we believe are going to be started by the enterprising firm of Cobb & Co., through the West Taieri and Valpy's. They will not yet be able to go the whole of the way, but will shortly, when sundry cuttings are made in the road. Mr. Inspector Keddell goes up on Saturday to take charge of the police force which is being sent to the district, and to represent the Provincial Government. Mr. Hartley accompanies him, and probably a special reporter from his office. The excitement is so strong that it is scarcely possible to instil a word of caution. Otherwise we would say that those who are there first will not necessarily be the luckiest; whilst to those who remain we hope very shortly to be able to present a reliable account of further investigations into the richness of the field.
We have elsewhere remarked on the singular coincidence of the discovery of available working by a Government prospecting party on the very track of Hartley and Riley. They do not appear to have gone farther north than the Manuherikia Junction, whilst the richest of Hartley's diggings are stated to be at the Karawau Junction. But to Mr. Thompson, chief surveyor, we find is due the first announcement of the probable auriferous nature of the field. In a general report to the Government, dated 10th August, 1859, he says:— "Traces of gold were found in the gravel of several of the streams and rivers. The trials were all made on the very surface, at such odd times as would not interrupt the proper work of the survey, by one of the party who happened to have previously visited the Australian gold-fields. The gold found was in every case small and scaley, varying from the smallest specks to about the roughness of bran, which it seems to resemble also in the manner of its formation, by being ground about among the stones of the streams. It was found in the Clutha River above the junction of the Manuherikia, and in the Tuapeka stream, in sufficient quantities to make it probable that it would pay to work if set about in a proper manner, with some wholesale system of washing, such as sluicing. Specks were also found in the Manuherikia, Pomahaka, and Waitahuna, and it will probably be found also in some of the tributaries of the Mataura and Pomahaka. Along with the gold was found black sand — in some places fine and resembling emery, in other places coarser, and sometimes in square block crystals, which are probably oxide of tin." - Otago Daily Times, 21/8/1862.
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE
The Montezuma, for Auckland, got clear of the Heads shortly after the Lombard, on Tuesday evening. In the case of the Lombard, not only numbers of the passengers, but the crew also, deserted the vessel for the new diggings.
The Waikouaiti traffic received an impetus today by the departure of more than a hundred miners, per the Samson and Lady Barkly, all bound for the Hartley diggings. Considerable excitement has been caused in the Port as well as in town, by the descriptions given of the discovery, and their corroboration by the receipt of the seventy pounds weight of gold. A considerable increase in the number of shipping is anticipated as soon as the news gets thoroughly abroad, and it is hoped some benefit may accrue to the Port, by it becoming for a time, the point from which any additions to the population will diverge, should the Waikouaiti route continue to be adopted, or a new one be opened up by the Clutha. -Otago Daily Times, 21/8/1862.
A DRAY will leave to-day for the New Diggings, taking Swags. Apply, Exchange Hotel, Princes-street.
FOR THE HARTLEY DIGGINGS.
Notice to Diggers. DRAYS will leave the New Iron Stores of Baird Brothers, Waikouaiti, on Saturday, first, and proceed to the above Gold Fields.
J. A. & R. BAIRD, Princes-street.
NEW RUSH!—Drays start this morning with swags, &c, from Jas. Keenan, storekeeper Princes-street, South.
A DRAY will start from L. Coleman's Provision Store, Princes-street, opposite the Police Depot for the New Diggings, this day. -Otago Daily Times, 22/8/1862.
The excitement about the rush to the new diggings continues unabated. Yesterday the streets were crowded all day, and the various tradesmen were all busily employed in ministering to the wants of the departing diggers. Many curious scenes were to be observed. In one place, a group with swags on their backs ready for a start, and taking hasty farewells of friends who were wishing them luck; in another a party dragging about a newly purchased horse, with the usual number of legs, but with no other recommendation; in another, a well equipped party with packhorse, starting soberly for a steady tramp, and evidently meaning work; while some might be seen who seemed to think that the journey was the easiest thing in the world, for they were taking their wives with them. It is greatly to be feared that much hardship will have to be endured by some of those who are so hastily rushing away to the Hartley diggings. Many of those who are starting are ill fitted to face the toils and hardships of the journey, or to tackle to the rough hard work. Still, they do not go unwarned, and they will have only themselves to blame if they find that they cannot stand what they have to go through. The want of provisions on the road will be likely to try some of those who have started but slenderly provided; and the same remark will apply to firewood, which is exceedingly scarce until the immediate neighborhood of the diggings is reached. With regard to provisions on the diggings it is likely that, at first, they will be scarce and costly as the rush has been so sudden, and the prices demanded for cartage are so exorbitant. We heard yesterday of £150 and £180 a ton being offered. In a week or so, however, things will find their proper level. It is satisfactory to know, that that there are some provisions at the Lindis, where a tolerably large stock is said to have been lying since the rush, and we observe, by an advertisement, that it is intended to convey stores at once to within five miles of the junction of the Kawarau and Clutha. -Otago Daily Times, 22/8/1862.
THE DUNSTAN OR HARTLEY DIGGINGS.
It has been suggested to us that by giving the name of only one of the prospectors, to the new diggings, a great injustice will be done to the other prospector. We have been requested to find another name for them. We have before adverted to the objections against adopting the names of the Clutha, Manuherikia, or Kawarau, that the rivers or valleys of those names extending over large tracts of country, may probably become the seat of other and distinct diggings, and that great inconvenience would result from the confusion of names. Two others may suggest themselves; either that of the nearest Ranges, — the Dunstan, or that of the nearest prominent land mark, the Cairn-muir. Of the two, we have preferred the former. Should the diggings prove to be limited to a particular locality, a native name might be substituted.
A sensible letter appears in another column and we cannot too urgently direct attention to it. Miners who are travelling without provisions, must expect to be subjected to fearful sufferings. At this time of the year the stations are almost destitute of provisions. We have seen one runholder who has travelled to town to try and get some provisions, who tells us he has only one bag of flour on his station, and that he met en route to his run 1000 people. The nature of the roads will prevent any quantity of supplies reaching the diggings for some time to come, and the diggers may anticipate a greater scarcity the further they penetrate. Then again numbers may have a difficulty in finding the road unaided, and in short those who have not followed the first headlong rush, would do well to pause a few days for further particulars. The locality will be more defined, and there will be less danger to speak in plain terms, of starvation.
To our readers in Victoria, we would say do not be in too much hurry to throw up remunerative occupations for the purpose of rushing hither to take part in the profits of the new diggings. There will be plenty of time to reach them quietly and if the extent of the auriferous country is anything like what it is represented, there will be room enough for all. But it is safer to wait for more exact information, for it cannot be too often stated that up to the present time although the excitement is so great here the only thing positively certain is that eighty-seven pounds weight of gold have been got by two men by washing the bars of the river. It is quite probable that many of those who are now going up may be sadly disappointed, for it is by no means certain that those who now go up, will be able to work to as great advantage as the prospectors. As the weather gets warmer and the snow melts on the mountains, the river will rise, and there is no knowing but what the richest bars may be covered by the water, and become unworkable. We therefore say again, that caution is advisable. Those who are already on their way will be quite enough to test the ground, and the result of their labors will very soon become known.
We so lately published a full report of the statement of the prospectors, and of the negotiations for the reward, that it may hardly seem necessary for us in this place to go over all the same ground again, but as it is probable that the present article will fall into the hands of many people in Australia who have not had the opportunity of reading the first accounts, we will briefly recapitulate the events in their order.
The first news received was on the 15th instant when it transpired that two men had deposited at the Treasury a bag of gold weighing eighty-seven pounds. It was not known, for certain, from what quarter this splendid parcel had been obtained, but it was supposed that it was from the neighborhood of Mount Watkins, near Waikouaiti, indeed some people went to the length of saying that they knew it for a fact. Curiosity and excitement was at the highest pitch. Meanwhile the owners preserved their secret, but placed themselves m communication with the Government, and after a brief negotiation consented to divulge the secret on certain conditions of reward, viz., that in case the new field should be found to yield 16,000 oz. of gold within three months, they should be entitled to £2000 reward, which would be the amount of the duty, reckoned at 2s. 6d. per ounce. The agreement having been made, they made a statement to the following effect:— They started on a prospecting trip on the 1st February, and about twenty miles from Pinkerton's station, on the Molyneux or Clutha River, they found prospects which led them to expect richer finds higher up the river. They went up, and about fifteen miles below where the Manuherikia runs into the Clutha, they obtained payable prospects. They tried a number of small bars which they thought would pay an ounce a day if worked with a cradle. The river was high at the time, but they did not think that in that part the diggings would be of much extent. They could not try the flats, having no bucket or rope. They then tried the river above the junction of the Manuherikia, and between there and the junction of the Kawarau, another tributary of the Clutha, they found the rich bars from which they took the bulk of the gold.When first they visited this part, they got forty ounces in one week, and having thus satisfied themselves that there was plenty of gold, they returned to Dunedin and purchased pack-horses and an outfit for a winter campaign. For the first month or six weeks after their return, they were satisfied with two or three ounces a day; but as the river got lower, and they learned more of the nature of the workings, they did not care to work stuff that would not pay them six ounces each for the day's work, their object being to work only the richest, as they were afraid of being rushed. They did not usually work more than six inches of the top dirt, in loose sandy gravel, easily worked; but sometimes they took two feet of it. They had only to set the cradle by the river and keep it going — for one could get the stuff as fast as the other could wash it. The gold is very fine and mixed with black sand, from which it is difficult to separate it. On the lime rock the gold is heavier, but they did not continue to work it, as they found they could not make more than about four ounces a day at it and the other washing paid better. They did not work above the junction of the Kawarau, but from the indications they were led to expect that there were rich diggings in the Upper Clutha valley. This was the substance of their statement as regarded the gold. They added that there was plenty of bush for fuel in the neighbourhood of where they had been working. With regard to the climate they had pleasant winter weather the whole time, and only lost two day's work. With regard to the important consideration of how the diggings are to to be reached, the prospectors say:— "The best way to get there is to take the Shag Valley Road from Waikouaiti to the Manuherikia Valley, but persons on foot or horseback can go by the West Taieri, Campbell Thompson's and Valpy's. This is the way we came down, and is much the shortest."
We learn that the road via the West Taieri is the most difficult between Campbell Thompson's and Valpy's station, a distance of about 35 miles, without any stopping place, and a very desolate country. Persons unacquainted with the track, would, in the event of a snowstorm, run the risk of being lost and perishing on the road. Beyond Valpy's we are told the road is not very difficult. The distance from Dunedin to the new diggings may be estimated at about 110 miles, viz :—Dunedin to West Taieri 16 miles, West Taieri to Healey's 10 miles, Healey's to Thompson's 12 miles, Thompson's to Valpy's 35 miles, Valpy's to Murison's 5 miles — at this point, the drayroad to Manuherikia Valley is struck —following which to Newton's station 14 miles, from Newton's to Lowe's 12 miles, from Lowe's to the Upper Molyneux River, about 6 miles, above this point the diggings commence.
The publication of these particulars caused if possible, greater excitement than the previous uncertainty, and numbers of people at once set off with what equipment they could get together, determined to be first in the field. Others more prudent waited a day or so to get properly fitted out. Society seemed to become suddenly disorganised. On every side men talked of leaving their regular employments, try their luck, and very many did so, while others were only induced to stay by a sense of duty to their employers, or by the promise of higher wages. The prices of most articles of consumption took a sudden rise; bread, for instance, from eight-pence to a shilling. Horses which a few days before had been very dull of sale, came suddenly into demand, and fetched high prices. The demand for goods of almost all kinds became brisk, and the competition for cartage became so great that £150, and even £180 a ton was ottered for the conveyance of stores. This excitement still continues with but little abatement, although three days have now elapsed since first the news of the locality was promulgated.
Since this discovery was made known, it has transpired that a Government prospecting party at work on the same river, but lower down, have found sufficient to induce them to apply for a claim for themselves, although from fear of causing a premature rush, they abstained from making any report of having found gold. Some particulars respecting this party will be found in our local column. -Otago Daily Times, 23/8/1862.
We are sorry to think that the excitement concerning the newly reported Dunstan Diggings is assuming extravagant dimensions. If we are to believe what we are told, men are throwing up lucrative situations, and comfortable positions with prospects of promotion, for the sake of rushing off to the as yet but little known locality. Again we are assured that at Tuapeka, miners are mad enough (we can use no other expression) to abandon claims paying them far more than ordinary wages to try the venture of the Dunstan field. We will in sober earnestness argue with these excitable people, and endeavor to persuade them of the wisdom of the good old proverb, "not to be off with the old love until they are on with the new."
As journalists we had no option but to state in plain language the particulars of the discovery of Messrs. Hartley and Riley. Whilst doing so, and giving all the information in our power, our readers will bear us out that we took particular care not to "gild refined gold, to paint the lily, or throw a perfume on the violet." We might have indulged in a number of glowing comments, and events have borne us out in doing so; or, which is by no means improbable, they might have been found very fallacious. However, we abstained from all word painting, but the result which has followed seems to have been equally the same. In plain words, people have gone mad without the assistance of the Press. Messrs. Hartley and Riley's statement is no doubt highly encouraging, backed as it is by the tangible results of their labor, — but this statement is capable of division into two parts: one which deals with facts, the other that trenches upon surmise. We take it as established that some spot through which the Molyneux passes has at some time or other been very rich in the precious metal. The gold has for ages been undergoing a process of disintegration by the agency of the swift flowing current. The river bed has been a natural cradle, and the bars of the river have been the ripples. For twenty miles, we are told, gold has been proved to exist, and on the natural obstacles or bars it is shown to have accumulated. Our two discoverers, possessing knowledge of the kind of working and great natural intelligence, have gone over this sluice bed of nature, and have skimmed up or cradled the gold. Not two, nor two hundred, nor two thousand men could divest, in so short a period, the vast sluice of the riches that have probably taken ages to accumulate; but we may be very certain that, as far as in them lay, they have skimmed the richest portions. Grant that they gave over because they were frightened of being discovered and losing their reward for the discovery, yet we may gauge the value of what they were getting by the reward they sought. They asked for two thousand pounds, equivalent to a little more than 500 ounces, or at the rate at which they were working, namely 12 ozs. a day, forty-two days work. Under any circumstances they could have counted upon clear three weeks from the time they were discovered before a considerable rush could set in, and they would always have been able to secure a large claim.
In fact, in their position a prospective reward of £2,000 seems very little for renouncing, as they have done, the earning a pound weight of gold a day. Believing, as we do, implicitly, in the good faith and honorable nature of the statement they have made, we look in it for an explanation of the apparent anomaly of their having left the ground, abstained from applying for a prospecting claim, and renounced 12 ounces a day for the sake of a contingent reward of £2000. To our minds the statement furnishes abundant explanation of the anomaly, but this explanation seems to have been wholly overlooked by the excitable persons who are rushing to the spot. Part of the secret of their success was the power of roaming about from spot to spot, from bar to bar, from pocket to pocket, without being controlled within the limits of a defined claim. At the first clue to their discovery, they would have had to have selected and confined themselves to a particular claim, and this they thought so little inviting, that they have not even applied for a prospecting grant. This fact ought not to be lost upon miners who are rushing to the spot, and should teach them to largely limit their expectations. The next and not less important explanation of the anomaly referred to is, the fact that a large, if not the largest, proportion of the gold was obtained in spots which may daily be closed to the labors of the miners. The Molyneux has been particularly low this season, and taking advantage of it, our adventurous prospectors washed stuff from spots which would be inaccessible after a few days hot weather had melted the snow, and caused the river to rise. Far away in the ranges beyond the Lakes, the snow was waiting as it were to resume its normal form, and rush to its ocean destination. Any day might have seen the foaming torrent seething down the rapid fall of the bed, and completely covering up for a season the golden treasure beneath it. We thus see that the prospects connected with the absolute loci in quo from which the bulk of the gold was obtained, are to a great extent problematical. That is to say, the successors to the first prospectors, will have to work under the disadvantage of arbitrarily defined areas, and of the daily to be expected inaccessibility of many of the proved richest spots. So far, then, the report explains to us why the men were willing to trust to the reward, rather than to continue to work with a chance of forfeiting it.
We now come to the part of the report which borders on surmise, and which, though comprising suppositions of a highly probable nature, is yet not to be accepted as a proved fact. That the surmises are probable, the prospectors evidently believe, as on their proving so they have to rely, to a great extent, for the large production of gold on which their reward depends. The suppositions may be more readily understood by a short reference back. As we have said, there can be no doubt that the Molyneux, at some time or other, rolled through some exceedingly rich auriferous ground, of greater or less extent. On that extent, and on the fact whether the water courses running into the Molyneux have drained the surrounding auriferous land of its deposits, depend the suppositions to which we allude. Probability is much in favor of the theory that the Molyneux waters a large extent of auriferous ground, and that the river and it tributaries have only to a small extent performed the disintegrating process. Thus the surmises in which the report indulges, that the flats and hills adjoining the river will be found auriferous, and that a considerable amount of gold country will be found in the Upper Clutha Valley and towards the lakes which feed the Molyneux, are, to say the least, highly probable — but they are not proved. A few of those who are rushing off may be fortunate enough to work rich river claims, but the majority must depend upon the question of the country bordering the river, proving, as supposed, auriferous. We thus arrive at little more than the fact, that as far as a large number of gold diggers are concerned,they have only to depend upon the hope that country, which there is good reason to suppose is auriferous, will turn out as expected. A highly probable gold field has been indicated, it remains to be tested. It has to be prospected, and for that purpose surely an army of two thousand prospectors should suffice. About that number we estimate have already departed to the presumed gold field, and those who remain behind we strongly counsel to await the result of their investigation. We do not deny that there is every reason to look for the best; that the least sanguine see cause to be hopeful; but facts are facts, and probabilities should not be mistaken for them. Gold Digging is admittedly a very uncertain pursuit, and it is extremely unsafe, even from the splendid prospect already discovered, to assume as a certainty the knowledge of the particular locality whence the Molyneux has cradled its golden treasure. We say, assuming for a certainty, because nothing less than this should justify men in renouncing claims already proved to be remunerative, or should excuse others for throwing up comfortable and lucrative situations. It is to be borne in mind that the expedition is of a "hit or miss" character. Those who are successful will probably think themselves amply compensated for the hardships they will undoubtedly endure, but what consolation will there be for those who, suffering the hardships, earn nothing to atone for them. They go to a place where provisions will be exceedingly scarce and enormously expensive — where the limited supply of firewood will be speedily exhausted, and the road to which is beset with difficulties of no common nature. Besides the absence of provisions and firing on the road, they will have to undergo the danger of being snowed up. This is no slight risk. At this very time last year two miners only coming from Tuapeka, by the West Taieri road, were nearly lost. -Otago Daily Times, 25/8/1862.
THE NEW HARTLEY DIGGINGS.
(From our own correspondent.)
Dunedin, Aug. 22.
Again has the exciting cry arisen of "gold!" Again has been witnessed in this town the fever and rush attendant upon a discovery as startling as unexpected! And again — while but a week back nothing was at work to indicate the actual existence of a mine at our very feet, while all things bore that calm and unruffled exterior which has for some months characterised this town during a period of reactionary quiescence — have the multitude, who had been quietly biding their time previous to the breaking up of the bad weather, despite of cautions, heedless of roads, reckless of provisionary equipments, started in hundreds for the new and unequalled El Dorado, determined there to find what Hartley and and Reilly found, or perish in the attempt. I say hundreds, but thousands are probably much nearer the mark. What has made Hartley a comparatively wealthy man is enough, surely, to tempt others to try and do the same. He started poor, but rich in energy, in pluck, in resource, in endurance, and, above all, in experience. He met with old Victorian diggers, who enquired of him how he was doing, and passed on! — for he was only making tucker, he said, and nobody could hope to do more there. The men who addressed him knew nothing of the nature of a Californian diggings, and Messrs. Hartley and Reilly were not the men to enlighten them until they had made their "pile." They are, in my opinion, much to be blamed for having so soon exploded the mine of their own successful working, but it was to be feared, as Mr. Hartley told me, that their difficulties were increasing, and the hope of remaining undiscovered becoming more and more precarious. Already have other claimants for part of the reward come forward as being on the same field at the same time. The Government, however, cannot listen to them, as they are outrun in the race, nay, distanced. £2000 is to be paid out of the provincial chest to Hartley and Reilly on the receipt of 16,000 ounces in three months from the new Hartley diggings.
What is to be the result of this new rush? It is, as you must know, a very long distance from town, on the banks of the Upper Clutha, and therefore just treble the distance of the first payable gold-field. The difficulties on the road are, therefore, much more than three times the nature of the first, for they increase in a ratio from the focus or starting point. Mr. Hartley, a very experienced and most communicable man, informed me that, in his opinion, the embryo or richest part of the gold-field was yet to be undiscovered, and pointed out the districts of the lakes as being tile most probable centre. He believes that there will be an immense field opening up in that direction, with an increase of diggers; so that, if this opinion really tallies with the rush, there is room for a much greater influx of population than the first fields justified. Wood for all purposes is very scarce, though there is plenty of it at a distance of 20 or 30 miles, or say from the Lakes Hawea and Wanaka. While diggers are gold digging foragers will be bringing in supplies of fuel and building stuff by means of boats across the lakes; there is no help for it, and gold will bring everything to hand, even luxuries, into the very heart of a wild country. There is, then, every scope for a large gold digging population besides to supply them with necessaries. Nothing will show the confidence of the diggers in the real and payable nature of the Hartley diggings so much as the fact of their eagerly starting off, in large numbers, encumbered with enormous "swags" at scarcely a days' notice. Horses, which six days ago were a drug, fetch from £3O to £60. Packsaddles, cradles, tools, provisions, and every other thing have risen enormously in value. I am informed that property has risen 25 per cent, all over the town in a week! and this may be regarded as strictly true. So long as Dunedin is the starting point for a digging population, so long will it be subjected to the sudden rise and as sudden depression of value of its land and houses. But this state of things may change. Gold that is found east of the great watershed may be as plentiful west of it. What is to prevent a Milford Haven becoming not only habitable, but populous? and if Milford Haven, why not the rest of the West Coast? and then we shall have the pleasure, probably, of hearing Thatcher on "The Rise and Fall of Dunedin."
However, we have now only to consider its rise, and this is likely to be great and long-continued. The "rush" may now fairly be considered a great fact, since the Hartley discovery will be enormous. Thousands had been waiting in Victoria under canvas, ready to avail themselves of the first dawn of mild weather, to make another and more desperate attempt; now tens of thousands will join them, satisfied with the prospects of Otago as a gold country. If this time last year they hesitated on account of the newness, and uncertainty of the risk, no such difficulty now presents itself; and we may soon expect them over to try their fortunes in a field, whose discoverers brought with them as a test of its capabilities, 87lbs. weight of gold, the result of ten weeks winter toil.
As a matter of course, you may expect no sailing craft for some time, all hands being off to the diggings. The whole of the diggers, some forty or fifty in number, forfeited their passage-money to Auckland, per Lombard are on the Hartley track; as matter of course again, everything is turned topsy-turvy. Contracts can't be carried out — servants, clerks, storekeepers, pseudo merchants, all have opened their eyes, Hartley-wards, have shouldered their swags, and expect to, and of course will bring back ozs. from the new diggings. -Wellington Independent, 26/8/1862.
SHIPPING NOTICES
HARTLEY DIGGINGS.
THE Steamer LYTTELTON For Waikouaiti
T H I S D A Y, WEDNESDAY, At 10 o'clock.
The favorite Steamer LYTTELTON will take will take Daily Trips for Waikouaiti. Passage, 20s. Apply to C. FREDERICK BEEBY, Jetty-street, or Manse-street.
R DYASON & CO.,
Passengers Booking and Seaman's Shipping Office. Agents for steamer Lady Barkly. Vessels towed in and out of port. Office — London Auction Mart, Jetty-street, opposite Post Office.
FOR THE HARTLEY DIGGINGS.
THE Steamer PLANET will leave the New Jetty this day, at 8 o'clock sharp, with drays and passengers. For freight apply on board, or to H. HOUGHTON & CO., Stafford-street. -Otago Daily Times, 27/8/1862.
THE DUNSTAN DIGGINGS.
We subjoin below an official report received from the Diggings. It was brought into town on Saturday evening by Constable Eagerly, who left the Diggings on the previous day, thus making the trip in two days — a feat of no inconsiderable difficulty. We are besides in possession of private information from a correspondent on the spot. His report though hurried, contains many interesting particulars. We proceed to extract from it:—
"Before commencing digging, I took a turn round to see what the place was like, and according to promise I take the first opportunity of telling you what I saw, and my impressions. I arrived here yesterday, and to-day (August 28) visited the ground, which I assure you is not at all to my taste as far us locality is concerned. Imagine a rapid savage looking river, racing over a bed of rocks with rocks for banks, and on each side precipitous mountains all faced with iron stone, barely leaving room for the most cautious footstep to pass at their feet. Do this, and you see the famous Hartley goldfields. I have never beheld more savage scenery, and other men who have hitherto been accustomed to the flats and creeks of Australia and Tuapeka appear bewildered at their new diggings. I should say there are at least 2,000 men here, and of that number 1500 are utterly disgusted, and I have heard many a "blessing" invoked on the heads of Hartley and Reilly, as if they were to blame for the imprudence which led so many to start utterly unprepared for this place. I am sure that of the total number not 300 have tasted flour or perhaps anything but meat for the last 48 hours, and no supplies of the staff of life can be here before Saturday. Why did not the simpletons pay attention to your warning, that no stores would be obtainable there? I believe that not 300 came with sufficient to last them 24 hours, and many came without anything fit for mining beyond a tin dish! Now, of course they are only too happy to blame others for their folly and Messrs. the prospectors come in for all the spare curses."
"I have not yet gone over all the ground."
"I saw a few prospects to-day, — three men in a party, let me see them wash some "rotten slate," and in a tin dish, three successive times, the result was each time about two grains. This you will think small, but consider that this wash dirt is on the surface, at hand, and that with a cradle they might be able perhaps, to make an ounce a day per man at this. Few miners would think to wash this stuff, and the general cry is — 'Why, you cannot get a shovel full of dirt anywhere off the rock, let alone gold.' As Hartley said, 'Victorian miners would never think of looking for the precious metal in such places."
"A man named O'Brien from Waikouaiti has a good claim, and has gone with two horses for a cradle to Waikouaiti. Another man, Wyse, from Wetherstone's has also a good claim, and washed out half an ounce before breakfast to-day."
"I believe that when the unprovided growling beggars go, those who remain, and who will give the place a fair trial, will open up a good field."
Flour, tea, sugar, &c., are not to be had for their weight in gold. Nothing but mutton at 1s. a pound — flour when it arrives (and for God's sake hasten it), will probably sell for 2s. per lb. or £200 per ton."
"The only road for drays will, I think, be by Waikouaiti. The road over the Lammermuir by Campbell Thompson's will not be practicable, at least in my opinion. But even by Waikouaiti the road by the Rough Ridge and the Rugged Range is bad enough, and I do not know how they manage it."
The following is the official report alluded to:—
Police Department, Clutha Gold Fields, August 28th, 1862.
Sir, I have the honor to report for your information that I arrived at Mr. Shennon's station on the Manuherikia yesterday afternoon, the 27th inst, and that I proceeded this day to the Molyneux to the scene of the new gold workings on that river discovered by Messrs. Hartley and Reilly.
The ground at present occupied by the miners extends from the Leaning Rock Hill, (one extremity of the Dunstan range) to the junction of the Kawarau and the Molyneux. The river throughout all this distance runs through iron-bound precipitous mountains, the banks, and apparently the bed of the river being rocks; the track on the east bank is nearly impassable in many places for horses, on account of the masses of rock which are piled up from the water's edge to the summit of the range. The miners are at present prospecting each bank near the water.
On my arrival at the field this day with Mr Hartley, I was met by about one hundred miners who were collected at the entrance to the diggings, (Leaning Rock Hill). They were all dissatisfied, and for the most part declared that no auriferous land to support so great a number as were then on the field, was to be found in the neighborhood, and that they were on the point of returning. Many of them interrogated Mr. Hartley who throughout the day satisfied all enquiries. Most of these men were apparently from Tuapeka or from some of the old established fields. From the numbers I saw, and from what I could gather respecting those who had proceeded further up the river than I have time to go today I should estimate the number on the field to be at least two thousand. The majority of those I met were certainly dissatisfied, complaining that the spots where gold was to be found were too limited to support one-eighth part of the present population, and also (and I think that this was the chief grievance) that they could not remain on the ground unless supplies should arrive soon from Dunedin. Very few of the miners have brought any provisions whatever, and those who did bring pack horses did not provide enough. I saw but one cradle at work to-day, and every one acknowledges that with a cradle they could make good wages; but they appear to have arrived here with no other tools than a shovel and a tin dish.
I have further the honor to report that I was not able to proceed further than seven miles above Leaning Rock Hill, the road being so bad, and also because the miners, hearing that one of the discoverers was in my company, beset us at every step to question Mr. Hartley respecting the locality of his workings. I saw several prospects, the results of washing in tin dishes, they ranged from one and two grains, to half an ounce; but I must state that few were so fortunate as to obtain the larger amount. On the whole I am compelled to report that the majority are dissatisfied, but I apprehend that although a great number will, and must leave, from scarcity of provisions and want of proper tools and appliances, still the numbers who have secured payable claims, and who will remain, will do well, and that a payable gold field will be established.
I have further the honor to report that fuel is very scarce, and until timber can be obtained by means of rafts (from the forests higher up the river), the miners will be worse off for firing than at Tuapeka; this want is also a source of great disappointment to the miners, many of whom calculated on being able to construct cradles and sluices from the timber they were led to believe was in the immediate neighbourhood.
I have further the honor to report that tomorrow I intend to visit the whole of the diggings, and to do so will have to camp on the banks of the river, the distance between the Kawarau and the "Leaning Rock" being about fourteen miles, and the rate of travelling, from the nature of the ground, being necessarily very slow. I shall also be detained on my way by miners whose claims are disputed; it appears that most of the earlier arrivals marked out their claims as "River Claims," (No. 4) with 50 feet frontage per man, and, of course, a right to an equal amount on the opposite bank, I perceive, by the "Rules and Regulations," that this size claim only applies to creeks and rivers - the beds of which are intended to be worked - and not to claims, as in this instance, on side or on the banks of any river. Four or five such cases were reported to me as needing enquiry, and which will receive my attention tomorrow.
I have further the honor to report that Mr. Hartley gave me every assistance and information, when accompanying me to the field, and that he intends leaving to-morrow for Duuedin.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Jackson Kedell,
Sub-Inspector of Constabulary in charge of the Clutha Gold Fields.
St. John Branigan, Esq , J.P. Commissioner of Police, Dunedin.
Two miners named George Graham and John Williams, who had just arrived in Dunedin from the Dunstan diggings, called at this office yesterday, and gave the following information:— They reached the diggings on the 25th August, at which time there were very few persons on the field, — about a dozen — they prospected the river for several miles, and found payable gold; but as they had no cradle, and were short of provisions, they had to return after two and a-half day's work. They consider that miners properly provided with provisions and tools, will be able to make very good wages. They saw plenty of firewood alongside the river, but no heavy timber. The people were beginning to flock on the ground when they left, and they met hundreds on the way. Great want of supplies existed, and on the way down they saw at one of the stations, a bullock slaughtered, and the hungry diggers had cooked some of the meat before the animal was quite dead. They took the West Taieri road both journeys, and describe it as being tolerably passable. They were four days and a-half in walking down. The river, when they arrived, was very low, but it had since risen about two feet. Our informants showed us a sample of gold, which was fine and scaly.
In addition to the above reports we are able, from authentic sources, to give some further particulars of a reliable character, having been favored with a sight of a letter received on Saturday by a gentleman in town from a person on the diggings, who had made it his business to look about him. This person represented that the road from Campbell Thompson's to Murison's - 40 miles - was impassable for drays, and only fit to be travelled by pack horses. Some carriers were trying to get through, but they were only able to move by helping one another. With regard to the diggings he stated that although at the time he wrote, there was much dissatisfaction, yet the miners were generally convinced that with proper appliances they could make from £2 to 3£ a-day; while others thought they could make wages. He saw one man wash out half-an-ounce in half-an-hour with a tin dish. This was supposed to be at a spot where Hartley and Reilly had been at work, as a gold weight was found there. He traversed the eastern side of the Molyneux from the junction of the Manuherikia to that of the Kawarau, a distance of twenty miles, and saw more than one prospect of a pennyweight to the tin dish. Some people were beginning to sink on the flats beside the river, but none had bottomed, in his opinion the river would not give claims for half the number of miners there, and he therefore looked upon it as of the most importance that the flats should be found auriferous. He confirms the statement that only beef and mutton are to he had, and adds that it is very difficult to get enough fire-wood for cooking purposes. Many were intending to return to Tuapeka. -Otago Daily Times, 1/9/1862.
THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS.
We publish the following information concerning the gold fields for the benefit of new arrivals:—
The principal gold fields of Otago are those at Tuapeka, Waitahuna, Waipori, Woolshed Creek, Mount Highlay, the newly discovered Dunstan and Nokomai Diggings, and several minor fields, as Coal Creek, Lindis, the Dunstan River, Shag River and Moeraki Beach.
Tuapeka, although not the oldest, is the best known and most extensively worked gold field. It comprises a large extent of probably autiferous country, but hitherto mining operations have mainly been limited to Gabriel's Gully, the scene of Mr. Read's early discoveries, Wetherstone's and Monroe's Gullies, and the banks of the Tuapeka River. From these localities alone, 332,476 ounces of gold have already been transmitted by escort to Dunedin. Scattered parties of prospectors are found in the adjacent gullies, where they are quietly and steadily working. If surface indications are to be trusted, there are hundreds of these gullies which present the appearance of being equally rich with those originally opened, and no doubt many parties are now making their piles in the recesses of the surrounding ranges, unheard of and unnoted.
The workings at Tuapeka are shallow, averaging from five to forty feet, rarely deeper. At Wetherstone's a large portion of the ground remains quite untouched, all attempts to bottom having been defeated by the influx of water. As the Government have, however, consented to form a storm water channel for the purpose of draining the flat, we may expect that this part of the field will shortly be rendered accessible to the miners.
The washdirt is gravelly, and therefore easily worked. Sluicing is generally adopted. The supply of water is most ample, and races, some of them many miles in extent, have been formed for this purpose. The gullies and the points of the hill are the favorite sites, but along the Tuapeka, hill workings have been resorted to with very great success.
Wood is scarce in the immediate vicinity of the diggings. At the heads of the gullies there are patches of scrub for firewood, and near the confluence of the Tuapeka with the Clutha, there is timber available for slabbing, &c.
Lignite for fuel is abundant, and, as it is found near the surface, is in great request. At Wetherstone's and near the Junction township, at the foot of Gabriel's Gully, some large and valuable deposits have been discovered. The route to Tuapeka from Dunedin is by the Main South Road, via East Taieri and Lake Waihola to Tokomairiro, thence by the Woolshed and Waitahuna. Distance, 70 miles by the travelled road; but from Cameron's Hotel, on Tokomairiro Plains, there is a short cut over the ranges by the Woolshed diggings, which reduces the distance to sixty miles. The population (reduced by the last rush to the Dunstan) is now estimated at 1,700 persons, of whom only 700 are miners.
Waitahuna.—This field is on the river of that name. At Waitahuna only a few gullies have yet been worked; from these the gross yield of gold to present date, as per escort returns, has been 78,640 ounces. All around is what are termed likely looking hills and gullies.
The workings are similar to those at Gabriel's and Watherstone's, already described. Timber is scarce, but there is plenty of lignite in the neighborhood.
The route from Dunedin is that by the main South Road to Tokomairiro — thence by the short road already referred to through the Woolshed.
Distance by dray-road over Mount Stuart, 59 miles — via Woolshed and the ranges, 50 miles. Present population, 1,250.
The Woolshed is a comparatively new field, the workings having gradually extended down the creek (where they were first discovered) to the south branch of the Tokomairiro River, where some very rich ground has been opened up. Some of the auriferous lands in this locality are private property, but in every instance the proprietors have dealt with the miners in a fair and liberal spirit: and a Government road, upon which a payable lead was recently struck, has been thrown open for mining purposes, on condition of surface damages being made good. There is also a large extent of Crown lands available for the prospector, and parties are known to be working with success in the neighbourhood. A quartz reef was some time since discovered in Canada bush on the adjacent plains, between the branches of the Tokomairiro, but we have no further information on this subject.
Since May last an escort has been dispatched from the Woolshed, the amount of gold sent down by which, presents a total of 3,883 ounces.
The population is estimated at about 450 persons. Distance from Dunedin by East Taieri and Tokomairiro, 45 miles.
The Waipori field is on the Waipori river and its branches. The workings consist principally of creek workings and hill sluicing. The population — never very large — is now estimated at 220. Since the first escort in February last, 6,155 ounces have been sent down by that mode of conveyance. Situated higher up in the spurs of the Lammerlaw mountains, the climate is more severe than that of Tuapeka and Waitahuna, but Waipori presents an excellent and comparatively untried field for operations during the summer months. Growing timber is very scarce in the vicinity, but beds of large trees in a state of good preservation exist immediately under the soil, and these are stated to be available not only for fuel, but for slabbing and other purposes. The gold found at Waipori is coarse and nuggetty, and frequently intermixed with fragments of quartz.
Near the township, a reef showing promising auriferous indications, was lately discovered by some quartz-miners from Bendigo, who purpose erecting machinery to fairly test its value.
The route from Dunedin is by West Taieri and the Maungatua ranges. Distance, forty miles.
Not far from the Waipori river to the eastward is the Lee stream, hitherto neglected, except by a few straggling parties, but on the banks of which gold in payable quantities was long since discovered.
All these fields continue to yield remunerative employment to the miners engaged upon them, and there is ample room for many more.
The Mount Highlay diggings are situated in the valley of the Upper Taieri, and the main workings are at Timbrel's Gully, and at Deep Dell and Filly Burn - tributaries of the Taieri River but several parties of miners are scattered over the surrounding country in every direction. The population of this field has never been large — not more than 250 or 300 miners — at any one time having been located upon it, and at present the number is reduced, to a minimum of a few scores. When it was discovered, in June last, the inclemency of the weather tended to prevent the rush which otherwise would, in all probability, have occurred. The diggings are situated at a considerable elevation above the sea level, and are consequently subject to heavy falls of snow during the winter. There is sufficient timber near Timbrel's for moderate use and scrub for firewood is found on the margins of the streams, and in the hollows of the ranges. Lignite is, as usual, procurable in the flats, and the neighboring mosses yield good peat. Water is plentiful; and sluicing is in consequence the favorite mode of mining.
Although the Mount Highlay field has been so scantily prospected, the existence of auriferous deposits, over a very large area, has been ascertained beyond a doubt. There is no escort thence, but the quantities of gold brought down by private hand are very considerable, when the sparseness of the population is taken into account.
The gold at Timbrel's is rough and heavy, greatly resembling the Waipori gold. That from Deep Dell is finer, and more water worn.
A quartz reef, in the stone of which fine gold is apparent, was discovered at Mount Highlay, and a prospecting claim granted to the discoverer, but no steps have yet been taken to test its value.
The route generally preferred is by steamboat to Waikouaiti; thence by Mount Pleasant, the Shag River, and Hamilton's and Wayne's station (No. 109) to Saxton's River (No. 210), on which the diggings are situated. The distance from Waikouaiti by this route is estimated at 55 miles. There is another road overland from Dunedin, by way of Blueskin; but it is exceedingly bleak, rugged, and difficult, and impeded by dangerous morasses, both on the margins of the numerous intersecting streams, and on the tops of the ranges. Intending visitors to this field will therefore do well to take the sea-route.
Murphy's Gully is on Hamilton and Wayne's station, about seven miles from Highlay. Gold in fair quantities has been obtained there. Several of the creeks at the head of the Waikouaiti River, and the branches of the Shag River, are also known to be auriferous; but so few are the miners in the locality that this promising field may be said to be as yet untried, and consequently undeveloped.
Coal Creek, about twenty miles above Mount Highlay in a northerly direction, is one of the head branches of the Shag River. Sluicing operations are being conducted in the bed, and on the banks of the creek with remunerative results. The mining population is very small, but will probably increase during the summer months. Lignite of a very superior description crops out on the banks.
There are no hotels, and but little accommodation, on this road at present. Travellers have mainly to rely on the stations along the line for provisions. It is therefore advisable to carry as large a supply as possible of flour, tea, and sugar. Beef and mutton are, of course, to be obtained everywhere. The Lindis was the earliest discovered, and is one of the least-worked of the Otago gold fields. Shortly after it was first rushed, the more brilliant attractions of Gabriel's Gully drew off the few miners—about 300—then on the field, and there has not yet been any reaction in its favor. A few men are still at work there, and the locality presents all the appearance of a large and rich gold field.
The Lindis diggings are on the run of Mr. McLean (No. 216). They are confined to one or two small gullies, near the Lindis Pass on the head-waters of the river of that name. The gold is heavy and nuggetty. The climate is somewhat inclement in winter, and snow lies on the ranges till the summer is far advanced. The gullies being sheltered enjoy a milder atmosphere.
There is a large and well-supplied stream in the vicinity. The usual road to the Lindis gold field is via Waikouaiti, thence by Shag Valley and the Upper Taieri Plains, across the ranges to the head of the Manuherikia Valley; thence, following up the main-branch of the Manuherikia River, past Mount St. Bathan's to the Lindis Pass. Distance about 160 miles. Another road is by way of Oamaru, and a third over the Lammermoor Ranges and Rough-ridge. But the first-named route is considered the best, as it is also the road to Highlay, Coal Creek, and the Dunstan gold fields — and consequently more travelled than any other.
Dunstan River is another partially-developed field. A few miners have been digging there for some mouths, with what measure of success is best known to themselves. The precise locality of their operations is at the confluence of the Dunstan with the Manuherikia River. At Moeraki Beach, gold of a very fine description is found in the sands of the seashore, mixed with iron-sand and fragmentary gems. Washing operations are now carried on opposite the town of Hampden, between the Big Kauri and Little Kauri streams. But the entire beach, as far as Shag Point, appears to consist of similar deposits. Gold, at the rate of 100 ounces to the ton, has been obtained from the clean-washed sand, and it would seem that if science and capital were brought to bear, a magnificent yield would be the result.
The Dunstan gold-field is situated on the Clutha River, at the south-western base of the Dunstan mountains, and includes the spurs of the Carrick ranges on the opposite bank of the river, which has here worn a passage through the solid rocks. The workings are, at present, confined to the bars of the river, where the gold is found intermixed with magnetic iron-sand. The adjoining country is of an auriferious description, consisting of made hills and terraces of loose shingly or gravelly soil, which requires timber to work it. There are about 3,000 miners on the field, and these appear to be doing well. The first escort will afford a criterion of the value of the field, some small quantities of gold have reached town already, by private hand. There are patches of bush along the river, but the only timber available for mining purposes is found near the lakes at the head of the Clutha, where there is an extensive forest of black birch. Coal, or rather lignite, abounds; there is a fine seam of good quality cropping out on the east banks of the river near the junction of the Manuherikia.
The climate of this district is described as mild, and dry in the winter, although snow covers the surrounding mountains. Hartley and Reilly state that whilst they were reaping their golden harvest, from May to August, rain rarely fell, and on three days only were they prevented from working by stormy weather. In winter also the.waters of the Clutha are at their lowest, and a larger extent of the rocky bed, in the ledges of which the gold is retained, is within reach of the miners.
The gold from this field is very fine and scaly but of very excellent quality.
Punts and boats have been placed on the river by private enterprise, so that miners and their drays may cross at various points.
Stores of all kinds are becoming more easily obtainable on the ground than they were at the first rush some weeks since. Cartage, however, still rules high, and miners are recommended to take a supply with them.
There are several routes to the Dunstan. One is via Tuapeka, and thence by Gardiner's, Miller's, and Baldwin's stations; and from the latter by a well-defined track over the Knobby Ranges to the junction of the Manuherikia with the Molyneux. Distance from Tuapeka, 70 miles. roads represented as being impassible for drays, and in places difficult for pack-horses. Another track, to the eastward of the former, is somewhat more practicable, but the route is intersected by the Teviot stream, which, when swollen, presents a formidable obstacle to further progress.
Another route is from Dunedin by West Taieri, over the Lammermoor ridges to the valley of the Manuherikia; distance, about 110 miles. After leaving West Taieri there are no hotels or accommodation houses on the road, but the track passes several stations, a list of which, togetherwith their relative distances we subjoin:— Healey's station, distant from West Taieri 10 miles; thence to Thompson's, 12 miles; thence to Valpy's, 35 miles; thence to Hudson's, 5 miles; thence to Newton's, 14 miles; thence to Lowe's, 12 miles; thence to the Clutha, 6 miles. That portion of the road which is situated between Thompson's and Valpy's, winds across the elevated region of the Lammermoors, upwards of 3,000 feet above the level of the sea. It is consequently bleak, and at certain seasons not without danger to persons unacquainted with the country, being liable to heavy falls of snow. Beyond this the road is fair and easy.
A third route is via Waikouaiti and Shag Valley, distance from Waikouaiti about 120 miles. This road is much in favour with pedestrians, as it passes through a series of valleys, where the climate is proportionably milder. A party of Government surveyors are now employed, in finding or constructing a better and more direct road — a work which it is to be hoped will be effected before the approach of next winter.
From Tuapeka to the Manuherikia Junction parties of miners have set in, at various parts of the route, and just below the junction the Government prospecting party have secured a prospecting claim in what they have ascertained to be a payable gold field. There is now a continuous chain of diggings from the Tokomairiro River to the upper Clutha Valley, for many of the miners have penetrated beyond the junction of the Kawarau into the untried but richly promising district beyond. Gold has been found as far north as Quartz Creek, a tributary of the Clutha, having its source in the ranges which divide Lake Wanaka from Lake Hawea. In many a sheltered nook of the mountains, and on the unfrequented portions of the river, prospectors are snugly nestled, secretly gathering the golden spoils which nature has so abundantly scattered over the province.
The Nokomai diggings are the last discovered. The only gully as present opened on Moa Creek — a branch of the Nokomai River — having its source under the remarkable conical hill known as the Steeple, in the Rocky Mountains. This gully — named Victoria gully by the prospectors — is about four miles in length, and in breadth generally about a quarter of a mile, but contracting in some places to 20 or 30 yards. The depth of sinking is from 2 to 5 feet, and the gold is large, heavy, and waterworn. There is plenty of scrub in the gully, and about 20 acres of timber, principally birch, at the head. The present population is probably about 1000.
The route to the Nokomai from Dunedin is via the main South Road and Tokomairiro to the Molyneux Ferry — thence to the Long Ford on the Mataura river, which is there crossed. The road then continues along the west bank of the river to within three miles of McKellar's station, where the Mataura is again crossed, and the east bank is followed to the junction of the Nokomai River. The distance from Dunedin is about 170 milea. The following are the main points on the line of route, with their relative distances:—
Molyneux Ferry, distant from Dunedin; 58 miles; thence to the Waiwera, 16 miles; thence to the Waruna, 12 miles; thence to the Waipahi 6 miles; thence to the Waikaka, 15 miles; thence to the Mataura 6 miles; thence to McKcllar's, 32 miles; thence to the Nokomai, 25 miles.
There is an inn at the Molyneux Ferry, and accommodation houses at the Waiwera and the Mataura. Between the Waipahi and the Waikaka, the station of Roberts and Begree is passed, and on the Nokomai itself is Mr. McLean's station. Stores are not yet on the ground, in sufficient quantities to supply a large population, and miners are, therefore, strongly advised not to start for the Nokomai without provisions.
The road by the Long Ford is passable for drays. There is also another track — practicable only for packhorses — which diverges from the first track about half-way between Roberts's station and the Waikaka, crossing that river near the east branch, passing between Wakaia and Pyramid Hills, then crossing the Wakaia river, and following the east bank of the Mataura. This road is about 15 or 20 miles shorter than the other.
There is also a track about 25 miles in length, connecting Nokomai with the Dunstan goldfield. It is, however, little used, running over snow-covered mountains, and it will be safer for those who desire to cross from either locality to take the longer but more praticable route indicated above. -Otago Daily Times, 23/9/1862.
Another route is from Dunedin by West Taieri, over the Lammermoor ridges to the valley of the Manuherikia; distance, about 110 miles. After leaving West Taieri there are no hotels or accommodation houses on the road, but the track passes several stations, a list of which, togetherwith their relative distances we subjoin:— Healey's station, distant from West Taieri 10 miles; thence to Thompson's, 12 miles; thence to Valpy's, 35 miles; thence to Hudson's, 5 miles; thence to Newton's, 14 miles; thence to Lowe's, 12 miles; thence to the Clutha, 6 miles. That portion of the road which is situated between Thompson's and Valpy's, winds across the elevated region of the Lammermoors, upwards of 3,000 feet above the level of the sea. It is consequently bleak, and at certain seasons not without danger to persons unacquainted with the country, being liable to heavy falls of snow. Beyond this the road is fair and easy.
A third route is via Waikouaiti and Shag Valley, distance from Waikouaiti about 120 miles. This road is much in favour with pedestrians, as it passes through a series of valleys, where the climate is proportionably milder. A party of Government surveyors are now employed, in finding or constructing a better and more direct road — a work which it is to be hoped will be effected before the approach of next winter.
From Tuapeka to the Manuherikia Junction parties of miners have set in, at various parts of the route, and just below the junction the Government prospecting party have secured a prospecting claim in what they have ascertained to be a payable gold field. There is now a continuous chain of diggings from the Tokomairiro River to the upper Clutha Valley, for many of the miners have penetrated beyond the junction of the Kawarau into the untried but richly promising district beyond. Gold has been found as far north as Quartz Creek, a tributary of the Clutha, having its source in the ranges which divide Lake Wanaka from Lake Hawea. In many a sheltered nook of the mountains, and on the unfrequented portions of the river, prospectors are snugly nestled, secretly gathering the golden spoils which nature has so abundantly scattered over the province.
The Nokomai diggings are the last discovered. The only gully as present opened on Moa Creek — a branch of the Nokomai River — having its source under the remarkable conical hill known as the Steeple, in the Rocky Mountains. This gully — named Victoria gully by the prospectors — is about four miles in length, and in breadth generally about a quarter of a mile, but contracting in some places to 20 or 30 yards. The depth of sinking is from 2 to 5 feet, and the gold is large, heavy, and waterworn. There is plenty of scrub in the gully, and about 20 acres of timber, principally birch, at the head. The present population is probably about 1000.
The route to the Nokomai from Dunedin is via the main South Road and Tokomairiro to the Molyneux Ferry — thence to the Long Ford on the Mataura river, which is there crossed. The road then continues along the west bank of the river to within three miles of McKellar's station, where the Mataura is again crossed, and the east bank is followed to the junction of the Nokomai River. The distance from Dunedin is about 170 milea. The following are the main points on the line of route, with their relative distances:—
Molyneux Ferry, distant from Dunedin; 58 miles; thence to the Waiwera, 16 miles; thence to the Waruna, 12 miles; thence to the Waipahi 6 miles; thence to the Waikaka, 15 miles; thence to the Mataura 6 miles; thence to McKcllar's, 32 miles; thence to the Nokomai, 25 miles.
There is an inn at the Molyneux Ferry, and accommodation houses at the Waiwera and the Mataura. Between the Waipahi and the Waikaka, the station of Roberts and Begree is passed, and on the Nokomai itself is Mr. McLean's station. Stores are not yet on the ground, in sufficient quantities to supply a large population, and miners are, therefore, strongly advised not to start for the Nokomai without provisions.
The road by the Long Ford is passable for drays. There is also another track — practicable only for packhorses — which diverges from the first track about half-way between Roberts's station and the Waikaka, crossing that river near the east branch, passing between Wakaia and Pyramid Hills, then crossing the Wakaia river, and following the east bank of the Mataura. This road is about 15 or 20 miles shorter than the other.
There is also a track about 25 miles in length, connecting Nokomai with the Dunstan goldfield. It is, however, little used, running over snow-covered mountains, and it will be safer for those who desire to cross from either locality to take the longer but more praticable route indicated above. -Otago Daily Times, 23/9/1862.
OTAGO.
(Prom our own correspondent.) October 6. At length .an escort has come down from the Dunstan diggings. It arrived on Saturday, bringing down 6031 oz. of gold. It was fully expected that the first escort would bring at least 10,000 oz., and there has consequently been considerable disappointment felt at the smallness of the quantity. This is however to be accounted for in a very natural way. In the first place, so long a time elapsed before all the arrangements for the dispatch of an escort could be made, that people could not wait, and large quantities were therefore sent down by private hands to Dunedin. The published accounts are the following large lots, 100 lbs., 20 lbs., 20 1bs., 10 lbs., besides the 87 lbs. brought down in the first instance by Hartley and Riley; so that we have positive information of 262 lbs., or 3144 oz., being brought down in large parcels, in addition to the escort quantity. But it is also proper to take into account the large number of small lots brought in by diggers, which must at least amount to another thousand ounces, this making up the estimated quantity sent to Dunedin to say 10,000 oz. At the same time it must be acknowledged that the diggings at the Dunstan have received a great check in the rising of the river, which has had the effect not only of carrying off heaps of valuable washdirt, but has in many cases kept men altogether out of their claims, the river flowing over the spots where they are working. Many are tunnelling into the river banks, and some very encouraging prospects have thus been obtained, so that there is reason to hope that a good population will remain and do well, but the river itself cannot be worked until the freshes are over, which will not be until the beginning of winter. The fact is that, as was at first stated, the winter is the time for working the Clutha, and the winter only; and the consequence of this fact being recognized is, that numbers of people are making their way to the Nokomai or to the old diggings which can be worked to most advantage in summer. Otago thus gets a winter and a summer gold-field, and inducements will therefore exist for the mining population to remain in the province all the year round, instead of rushing .away to Victoria at the approach of winter.
October 13
The only real mining intelligence received during the week, has been a report on the Nokomai which was published in the "Daily Times" of Saturday last, having been received from the correspondent of that journal at Invercargill, and an official report received in Dunedin from a trooper who had been dispatched to the field, and which was published from the newspaper offices on Saturday afternoon in the form of an extra. Neither batch of news is brilliant it must be confessed. It appears that many of the diggers who went up to the Nokomai have turned back, while others have gone away prospecting in the Waikatip direction, and the total number now in this field is small. It appears that the cause of this hasty abandonment of what was thought at first so promising a field has been the great difficulty experienced in bottoming clams, the soil being exceedingly loose and shingly, and there being also a large quantity of water to contend with. It is not as yet explained whether there is any means of obtaining timber fit for slabs; in the meantime there is much disappointment, and I fear suffering for although provisions are not quite so costly at the Nokomai as they were at the first of the Dunstan rush, yet they cannot be cheap while cartage from Riverton, the most convenient port, is at the rate of £50 a ton. The report is as follows:—
"Daily Times," Saturday Oct. 11, 1862. By the courtesy of the Commissioner of Goldfields, we are enabled to publish the following official report received this day. Report. Moa Creek, October 2, 1862. Sergeant Bayley reports, for the information of the Commissioner of Police, with reference to the Nokomai rush, that these diggings are not turning out so rich as was at first thought they would be. The population has much decreased during the last ten days, the number at present on the field not being above 300, and although there have been a great many arrivals, the departures have far exceeded them. Most of the ground in the lower part of the gully has been abandoned. In many of these claims tailraces were cut from 200 to 300 feet in length, and from eight to ten feet in depth ; paddocks then sunk five to six feet further (in all 15 feet), but not bottomed, the amount of water to be contended with, and want of proper appliances to keep it clear, rendering the proving of the ground impossible.
Neither have there been prospects struck sufficiently rich to induce the miners to go to the amount of labor and expense necessary before the ground could be properly tested.
The depth of sinking in this part of the gully cannot be less than from 20 to 25 feet, and through nothing but loose shingle.
In the upper part of the gully, for about a mile above and below the prospecting claim, parties are at work both in the bed and banks of the creek; but, after careful enquiry, Sergeant Bayley cannot learn that any claim is paying more than bare wages, most even not that; the sample of gold encouraging the miners to hold on in the hope of striking something better. Generally speaking, Victoria Gully is as yet a failure, and great disappointment is evinced by most of the miners. The only claims to be quoted as doing anything, are the prospectors, Kalcey and Co., and Maories. Even these at best, have not averaged more than half an ounce a day per man.
With reference to the dispute at the prospecting claim, on the return of Lamb, that matter was amicably settled, it appearing that his mates had pegged off more ground than they were entitled to.
Sergeant Bayley further begs to report that the Nokomai has been prospected in several places, but from the depth and loose nature of the sinking, and quantity of water, bottoming has as yet been found impossible. In conclusion. Sergeant Bayley begs to inform the Commissioner that a great many are prospecting the neighbourhood, but as yet but one party nave struck anything. These men (Scott and party) applied at the Camp for a prospecting claim, stating that they had found payable gold about ten miles from from Victoria Gully. Sergeant Bayley accompanied them on the 30th ult., and found that they were working at the junction of a small creek, with the Waikaia river, south-east from Moa Creek, on the opposite side of the Steeple Mount, and about ten miles distant from the junction of the Moa Creek and the Nokomai.
The prospect washed from a dozen dishes while Sergeant Bayley was present, was about half a dwt. each coarse gold, more waterworn than Victoria Gully, but not so nuggetty, about two feet of wash dirt and soft slaty bottom.
It is a question at present whether there is much ground in this place or not near the prospecting claim, they being at work on a point jutting into and most of the mind's are of opinion that the patch struck is merely a deposit from the river. Whether the river will pay for working or not, remains to be proved; but, from the size and rapidity of the stream a great deal of difficulty is to be expected. That it is auriferous, there is no doubt. The small specimens enclosed were picked up by Sergeant Bayley on the bare reef, about 200 yards below, and on the opposite side of the river from the prospectors. To reach this locality from Victoria gully, the Moa Creek has to be followed up to its source, crossing the Dome and Steeple Ranges at the Gap, proceeding thence south-east to the Waikaia. The prospectors are working on the river. This route is impracticable for anything except men on foot, and even then difficult from the precipitous and rugged nature of the country.
In the event of this becoming a payable goldfield, Sergeant Bayley believes that a practicable road for drays could be found on the south side of the Wakaia, via Mr. Shand's station, on whose run these diggings are supposed to be.
A great many diggers have left Moa Creek for this place, concerning which Sergeant Bayley will be able to forward full particulars when next I report. A large and extensive bush is on the spot, suitable for all mining purposes. (Signed) Benjamin Bayley, Sergeant.
St John Branigan, Esq., J. P., Commissioner of Police, Dunedin.
There is, it seems, some dry sinking, although not mentioned particularly in the above report. This is on the hill side, where the Maori party are at work.
At the Dunstan there seems to be nothing fresh. The river still keeps high, and the working of the rich bars is therefore still interrupted. The people, however, are knocking out something from the dry tunnels, and most of them will remain until, with, the approach of winter, comes the fall of the river, when they will be able to set to to get out the treasures of the claims they have been shepherding.
The Government has called for tenders for the cutting of the storm water channel at Wetherstone's, which has so long been talked of.
Another heavy influx of passengers took place yesterday, four ships arriving with nearly 1300 people, the City of Hobart, and the Greyhound, from Melbourne, the Rangatira, from Sydney and the Northern Provinces, and the Cheviot, from Glasgow. These, added to the numbers who have been about town for the last few days, returned from the Nokomai, will rather glut the labour market for a while.
The Government, partly with a view of affording a resource in the shape of employment to those who may be without means, has begun the work of cutting down a portion of Bell Hill, the material being used in the reclamation of a portion of the mudflats in front of the town, which in their present state are neither use nor ornament. The men are paid at the rate of five shillings a day.
The sitting of the Supreme Court commenced on Wednesday, his Honour Judge Gresson on the bench. There is a rather heavy calendar, nearly forty cases for trial, and the Court is therefore likely to sit long.
The return of the land revenue for the quarter ending 30th September has just been published. It exhibits a sum of £31,602 14s. lid., as the total received from all sources.
The Canterbury expedition for the exploration of the country of the West Coast has excited some interest here, and, I may add, some emulation, vide a leader in to-day's Daily Times. It is understood that the Emerald Isle is to sail to-day.
October, 15.
I am happy to be able to send you very encouraging news of the Dunstan. Another escort, the second, has been dispatched from thence, and is expected in town to-morrow, it will bring down 6,240 oz. 2 dwt. of gold, accumulated in eleven days, and as gold is now being freely offered, for it is expected that the next escort will be still larger. Already with the two escorts and what came down privately, Hartley and Riley's quantity of 16,000 oz. must be made up. The river is still high, but good prospects are being obtained away from the main stream, and the people seem in good spirits.
A new discovery is mentioned, on the Nevis stream, about 30 mile from the Dunstan in the direction of the Nokomai.
The Supreme Court business drags its slow length along, and promises to be tedious, The murder trial, Fratson's, is fixed for to-morrow. -Press, 18/10/1862.
Business Notices
HARTLEY DIGGINGS.
THE Undersigned beg to intimate that their Stores on the Lindis, will be removed to within five miles of the Hartley Diggings. The exact spot is not yet determined, but it will probably be close to the junction of the Kawarau with the Clutha, on the left bank of the river (Clutha). There is a large stock on hand, and other supplies will be forwarded on Monday, via Oamaru.
McLEOD & GIBSON. Dunedin, 21st Aug., 1862.
NEW RUSH. NEW RUSH,
TO THE CAFE ROYAL and RESTAURANT Beachstreet, Waikouaiti.
The best Accomodation in the Township, Meals always ready.
COLLINS AND VASS, Proprietors. -Otago Daily Times, 24/10/1862.
OTAGO.
ARRIVAL OF THE ESCORT.
The Escort from the gold fields arrived in town on the 31st October; bringing the following quantities of gold:— oz. dwt. gr.
Dunstan... ... ... 8,967 0 0
Teviot ... ... ... 86 5 0
Tuapeka... ... ... 4,388 0 0
Waitahuna... 1,389 5 0
Woolshed... 674 13 20
TOTAL... ...15,505 3 20
Referring to this arrival the Daily Times of the Ist November says:— Just two months and a half have elapsed since Hartley and Reilly first made known the discovery of the Dunstan gold field, and stipulated for a reward of £2,000 on 16,000 ounces of the precious metal being obtained. The third escort only has arrived, and already the total brought by this means amounts to over 22,000 ounces, whilst fully one-third; as much has come down by private hands. The result is wonderful, even to those who can draw on the last ten years' experience of gold mining in Victoria and California. No new field, we believe, has ever, turned out so much gold in so short a time after its discovery, and when it is considered how inaccessible is the situation, how difficult the means of obtaining food, and how much of the two months and a half has passed without any work being done, we challenge a comparison of the Dunstan with any gold field ever discovered. For a distance of thirty miles along the river banks gold has been found, not only in payable, but in highly remunerative quantities; and when the rising of the river drove the workers from its edge, they, with scarcely an effort, seem to have discovered rich gullies in every direction. Hardly more than a week elapsed between the time of their having to leave the river and that at which other gold workings were proclaimed, and this fact, to those who know the difficulties of prospecting and the scattered manner in which the deposits in the richest fields are generally found, speaks volumes for the universal distribution of the auriferous wealth of the Dunstan goldfield. In fact the Dunstan is not more remarkable for the amount of gold it has produced, than for the immense extent over which, in this short time, the gold is proved to occur.
About one month earlier than the Dunstan was discovered this year, the Tuapeka was discovered last year. The first five escorts covering about two months and a half, amounted to some 26,000 ounces, and the result was deemed wonderful. But the Dunstan, further removed, less accessible, and averaging about the same population, has, in the same time, produced nearly 30,000 ounces; and we are told that the yield promises to increase instead of decrease. Throughout the summer, it is said, the prospect of rich returns to a large population is assured, and in the winter the river banks and bed are expected to yield fabulous results. It is not too much to anticipate that the yield will average 8000 ounces a-week during the next twelve months; or, in other words, that it will return to the Government in export duty alone a revenue of £1000 a-week, or £50,000 a-year, — an income as great as that of many European States.
The following is the latest account of the "new rushes" at the Dunstan:-
From an official report from Mr. Commissioner Keddell, which has been placed at our disposal by the Government, we learn that the new rushes at "Potter's" and "Conroy's" gullies were attracting great numbers of miners. The latter locality, in consequence of one party haying been reported to have lodged at one of the banks; upwards of 100 oz. of rough coarse gold, the produce of a few days labor, was the great point of attraction during the latter part of the week. About 400 miners are stated to be at work, many doing remarkably well, and numbers are still proceeding thither. The snow which had fallen in large quantities on the high ground, had tended to check the rush to the Umbrellas, but in the gullies from that range to the Kawaru, about 800 or 1000 miners are reported to be working successfully.
Timber was occasionally arriving in rafts down the Clutha, from the lakes, and obtains a rapid sale. The township at the junction of the Manuherikia is increasing in importance, and bids fair to rival that at Coal Point.
The population was on the increase, and may be roughly estimated at from 3,000 to 4,000, but the large area of the field, including the country in the immediate neighbourhood of the proclaimed district rendered a close approximation almost impossible.
From information we have received from a private and reliable source, the richness of the Dunstan field and of the surrounding country, bids fair to become almost unequalled in the history of gold mining. Our informant, who is an old Victorian, says that there has been nothing like it since the days of Old Bendigo. Ten or twelve new gullies are now opened and filled with miners, hard at work. The gold found there is of a coarser and heavier kind than the river gold, and contains very little of the black sand; that found in Conroy's Gully is very beautiful, waterworn, and in flat pieces of about the thickness and half the size of half-a-crown. There such gold is found the ground is generally complained of as being patchy. The gully discovered a week or ten days ago in the western slope of the Umbrellas still continues to carry a good number of miners, and even the snow has not deterred them from working. Miners going to Potter's Gully have to carry their provisions, &c., up a hill over 7 miles long. There seems to be a great necessity for two or more commissioners for this district, as the field has extended so much in every direction that it is impossible for one commissioner to perform his duties effectively, for the diggings are on both sides of the river, which can only be crossed at two places, miles apart. -Lyttelton Times, 9/11/1862.
| "The Dunstan" - at the junction of the Clutha and Manuherikia Rivers. From the Illustrated London News, November 1863. Hocken Library photo. |
THE SOUTHERN PROVINCES.
NEWS FROM THE DUNSTAN DIGGINGS.
FIFTY FOUNDS WEIGHT OF GOLD OBTAINED BY TWO MEN.
We (Wellington Spectator) are in receipt of private despatches from the Dunstan, bringing news up to Monday, 3rd instant. The newly discovered gullies — Conroy’s and one adjacent to it, appear to be exceedingly rich. The following is the substance of our report:—
The progress of the Dunstan township is much impeded by the scarcity of timber. At present there is hardly a stick of sawn stuff or board to be had, everybody is anxiously looking out for the rafts expected from the Lakes. The price of boards is now 4s. per foot super. The raft which came down on Wednesday last ran foul of some rocks and broke. The consequence was that greater part of the timber floated away and was lost. The township at the junction of the Manuherikia (Alexandra) is increasing very rapidly in size. Provisions on both townships are comparatively cheap. Flour is sold at 1s.; bread 4s. per loaf, and other things in about the same proportion.
The greatest order prevails here. The exhibitions of rowdyism, which a few weeks ago were so common, are now (thanks to the salutary influence of a strong posse of police) rarely seen.
Mining operations on the Clutha are at present almost suspended. But as most of the miners have obtained protection from the Commissioners for three months for their claims, at the end of that period, or before, should the river lower, work will be commenced in earnest, it may be predicted the results will be very little short of those anticipated by the prospectors. At the twenty mile rush there are some hundreds at work, the greater number of whom are doing well. A prospecting claim has been applied for this week for a gully near the Kawarau. The depth of sinking is three feet, and the prospectors obtained six dwts. to the dish. Conroy’s gully, about eight miles from the upper township, and the gully adjoining still possess great attractions for the digger, and the yield in individual instances is enormous. Two Germans, a few days ago, brought into the township fifty pounds weight of the precious metal, obtained from one of the above places. There are upwards of a thousand people on the ground, and numerous cases of jumping have occurred. The Commissioner has had great difficulty in settling disputed claims — pegs seem to have been stuck in haphazard, without regard to the rules which regulate such matters. Great complaints are constantly heard of the want of another Commissioner. The labours of Mr. Keddell, although almost herculean, are totally insufficient to settle half the disputes which arise on a diggings like this, scattered over so large an extent of country.
In addition to the above, we have been informed by a miner who has been working in Conroy’s gully, that the average earnings of the miners there were very large. Our informant states that about 400 persons were at work in the gully, and that those who had been fortunate enough to get on the lead were realising fortunes. The sinking varied from 4 to 6 feet, and the ground at present worked ran parallel to the creek formed a portion of its former bed. We have been shown a sample of the gold obtained. It is rough and waterworn, some of the pieces weighing over a dwt. The gully had been tried at some distance from the creek, but no payable prospect was obtained, and in consequence the ground was abandoned. Our informant was fortunate enough to hit on the lead close to to the edge of the creek, and in eight days, himself and mate took out nearly sixty ounces. One tin dish of stuff taken from a crevice in the bed rock yielded 14 ounces. Larger yields were continually being reported, and the utmost confidence was expressed as to the future of the Dunstan gold fields. It may be mentioned that Conroy’s gully is situated on Strode’s and Fraser’s station, on the opposite side of the Molyneux from the present township of Coal Point. (Alexandra) The gully runs from a high elevation in the Umbrella Ranges, and falls into the Earnscleugh, at a distance of about eight miles from the Manuherikia. There is a considerable quantity of scrub at the head of Conroy’s gully, and the miners will therefore he able to obtain a certain supply of firewood.
THE ESCORT. The escort from the gold-fields arrived in town yesterday afternoon, 31st October, bringing the following quantities of gold; —Dunstan, 8,967 ozs.; Teviot, 86 ozs. 5 dwts.; Tuapeka, 4,388 ozs.; Waitahuna, 1,389 ozs. 5 dwts.; Woolshed, 674 ozs. 13 dwts. 20 grains. Total, 15,505 ozs. 3 dwts. 20 grains.
From an official report from Mr. Commissioner Keddel, which has been placed at our disposal by the Government, we learn that the new rushes at “Potter’s” and “Conroy’s” gullies were attracting great numbers of miners. The latter locality, in consequence of one party having been reported to have lodged at one of the banks upwards of 100 ounces of rough course gold, the produce of a few days’ labour, was the great point of attraction during the latter part of the week. About 400 miners are stated to be at work, many doing remarkably well, and numbers arc still proceeding thither. The snow which had fallen in large quantities on the high ground had tended to check the rush to the Umbrellas, but in the gullies from that range to the Kawarau, about 800 or 1,000 miners are reported to be working successfully. The population was on the increase, and may be roughly estimated at from 3,000 to 4,000, but the large area of the field, including the country in the immediate neighbourhood of the proclaimed district, rendered a close approximation almost impossible. From information we have received from a private and reliable source, the richness of the Dunstan field and the surrounding country, bids fair to become almost unequalled in the history of gold mining. Our informant, who is an old Victorian, says that there has been nothing like it since the days of Old Bendigo. Ten or twelve new gullies are now opened and filled with miners hard at work. The gold found there is of a coarser and heavier kind to the river gold, and contains very little of the black sand; that found in Conroy’s gully is very beautiful, water-worn, and in flat pieces of about the thickness and half the size of a half-crown. Where such gold is found the ground is generally complained of as being patchy. The gully discovered a week or ten days ago in the western slope of the Umbrellas still continues to carry a good number of miners, and even the snow has not deterred them from working. Miners going to Potter’s gully have to carry their provisions, &c., up a hill over seven miles long.
REPORT. Sir, — I have the honor to report for your information that since my last letter I have visited the sites of the two prospecting claims granted to Messrs. Conroy, Hill and parties, and found in the gully opened up by the former about one hundred miners at work; some of these appeared satisfied with the results of their labor, but the majority did not consider their earnings sufficiently great to repay their trouble with the water they had to contend with. Many left after giving the place a short trial, but some few who have remained have been very fortunate; one miner exhibited the finest sample of gold I have yet seen, a parcel of nine ounces, very heavy and well colored, and much water worn; the general opinion, however, is not favorable to this locality. The new workings prospected by Hill and party promised greater results:— About 300 miners set in as soon as the prospecting claim was granted; most of these appear to be doing well, but the ground opened by the prospector himself has not realised the expectations formed on the first washings. Both of these new rushes would have attracted more attention, but for the rumour of a payable gully in the Umbrella Ranges, on the short track to the Nokomai. This was first made known on the 10th instant, when the prospectors, named Kennedy, Roberts, and Potter, made application to me for an extended claim; they submitted two ounces of very rough gold, which they stated they had obtained in one day, with shovels and a tin dish.
REPORT. Sir, — I have the honor to report for your information that since my last letter I have visited the sites of the two prospecting claims granted to Messrs. Conroy, Hill and parties, and found in the gully opened up by the former about one hundred miners at work; some of these appeared satisfied with the results of their labor, but the majority did not consider their earnings sufficiently great to repay their trouble with the water they had to contend with. Many left after giving the place a short trial, but some few who have remained have been very fortunate; one miner exhibited the finest sample of gold I have yet seen, a parcel of nine ounces, very heavy and well colored, and much water worn; the general opinion, however, is not favorable to this locality. The new workings prospected by Hill and party promised greater results:— About 300 miners set in as soon as the prospecting claim was granted; most of these appear to be doing well, but the ground opened by the prospector himself has not realised the expectations formed on the first washings. Both of these new rushes would have attracted more attention, but for the rumour of a payable gully in the Umbrella Ranges, on the short track to the Nokomai. This was first made known on the 10th instant, when the prospectors, named Kennedy, Roberts, and Potter, made application to me for an extended claim; they submitted two ounces of very rough gold, which they stated they had obtained in one day, with shovels and a tin dish.
I visited the locality indicated in their report on Wednesday, the 15th, or rather left this camp with that intention on that date, arriving at the gully on Thursday morning. This gully leads from the western slope of the Umbrella Ranges to the Nevis, and is distant about 23 miles from this camp. The road is very difficult to travel on horseback, and at present impassable for vehicles; the great drawback, therefore, to the miners working there is the difficulty of procuring provisions. On my arrival I found about three hundred miners at work, and saw many prospects out of dishes of wash dirt. Some of these claims have turned out exceedingly rich, while others are reported as not payable. The gold is heavy, and of superior quality. Large quantities have been sold from this rush, and from the numbers that are proceeding there, I believe it will turn out very rich. Two other gullies on the eastern side of the Umbrellas and about from two to four miles from the one before-mentioned, have also been prospected, and are attracting attention. It is difficult to speak at present of the permanency of such diggings, but from the extent of ground covered in that neighbourhood, I am inclined to think that there will be no scarcity of employment for the miners at present on the field and those that may be expected to arrive, until the river falls, and the holders of claims now flooded can resume their work. The River Molyneux has risen two or three feet during the last thirty-six hours. Violent gales have prevailed during the last three days, and the surrounding hills are covered with snow. All the miners holding front claims on the river banks are applying for protection certificates, and I have great difficulty in absenting myself from the office in consequence. I have, &c., Jackson Keddell.
His Honor the Superintendent, Otago.
His Honor the Superintendent, Otago.
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM A PRIVATE SOURCE.
ENCOURAGING PROSPECTS
We (Otago Colonist ) have been favored with the following extract from a private letter received by a gentleman in town on Saturday last. The writer is a gentleman who, we are informed, is a competent and reliable authority:— “Dear..., the diggings here are going to be a great success. All the gullies are more or less auriferous — some of them extraordinarily rich, but patchy. This is mostly in the beds of the creeks, which have to be turned. In many places it is easy to do so, in others, timber boxes will be required; but at present the high price of timber prevents any one from making the attempt. In the creek where I am working the gold is being taken out of the crevices of the rock in pounds weight. Most all the gullies are of the same formation, many of them as yet untried; and should plenty of room for (illegible) as it is at present, there is self and party (four) obtained 50 ozs., and many parties both above and below us are getting even greater yields. I saw a German scooping the gold out of a crevice yesterday in handfuls. The wash-dirt was actually glittering. It resembled the stall excavated from the deep leads of Ballarat.
“This district is actually teeming with gold, and as soon as summer sets in and the miners can get to work on the river, no man need be afraid of earning a livelihood, with the chance of being able to save money, especially as now the necessaries of life are being reduced in price. This is the roughest country I have ever been in. Everything has either to be carried by men or pack-horses, the ranges, rocks, gullies, &c., precluding the possibility of bringing a conveyance of any description, except by a very roundabout track.” -New Zealander, 22/11/1862.
Hartley is known to have visited the Coromandel goldfields in 1862, assessing it on behalf of Otago miners and returning to Dunedin in Febrary, 1863. Next month he explored a possible route to the West Coast from Otago, making it from Queenstown up the Dart river and over to the Awarua before shortage of food forced a return. from then until his death little is known, except for possibly leading a prospecting party to New Guinea in the late 1860s or early 1870.
Hartley died in 1903, leaving $50,000 to the local school district and $2,000 to his widow - who contested the will on grounds of insanity.
“This district is actually teeming with gold, and as soon as summer sets in and the miners can get to work on the river, no man need be afraid of earning a livelihood, with the chance of being able to save money, especially as now the necessaries of life are being reduced in price. This is the roughest country I have ever been in. Everything has either to be carried by men or pack-horses, the ranges, rocks, gullies, &c., precluding the possibility of bringing a conveyance of any description, except by a very roundabout track.” -New Zealander, 22/11/1862.
Hartley is known to have visited the Coromandel goldfields in 1862, assessing it on behalf of Otago miners and returning to Dunedin in Febrary, 1863. Next month he explored a possible route to the West Coast from Otago, making it from Queenstown up the Dart river and over to the Awarua before shortage of food forced a return. from then until his death little is known, except for possibly leading a prospecting party to New Guinea in the late 1860s or early 1870.
Hartley died in 1903, leaving $50,000 to the local school district and $2,000 to his widow - who contested the will on grounds of insanity.
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| Odd Fellows Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Tumwater, Thurston County, Washington, USA. |
"Of Hartley's Irish partner, Christopher Reilly, even less is known. After the Clutha discovery, he set out to demonstrate the value of the river as 'Nature's highway to the Dunstan' by leading an expedition of 18 men and 2 lifeboats in October–November 1862. This was part of a larger project to establish a port at the mouth of the Clutha River. It was a remarkable feat, described at the time as 'not less meritorious than that of his discovery of the field'. Although he originally claimed success, Reilly later conceded that the expedition had merely proved that the river was 'wholly unnavigable'. In November 1862 he asked the Otago provincial government to appoint a select committee to consider an award of compensation, the expedition having cost some £615. He had moreover forgone mining on the Dunstan goldfield, 'where he then had an extensive payable claim'. Reilly failed to appear before the committee, and had already left New Zealand when the committee declined to recommend any compensation. In January 1863 he appears in Tasmania, where the government had offered him a reward for the discovery of a payable goldfield. Reilly rejected the terms offered and reappeared in Adelaide. Thereafter his movements and exploits are unknown. He is said to have died in Dublin in 1887."
T. J. Hearn. 'Hartley, Horatio', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 1990. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1h11/hartley-horatio (accessed 2 September 2019)
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