THE WOODSTOCK RUSH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 699, 27 July 1882, Page 2

THE WOODSTOCK RUSH.

The following letter just received by Mr W. H. Puddioombe, of Mount Somers, was very kindly placed at our disposal by the recipient.. The letter is dated from Upper Woodstock, and runs thus :—“ According to promise, I now give ray impressions of this goldfield. I believe there are from 1,000 to 1,5C0 men on the field, and of these probably from 500 to 600 are getting payable gold, earning, that is, from L2 to LlO per man per week. Considering the large piece of ground which one man can hold (100 ft x 100 ft) it will take years to work out all the gold. Tbo wash dirt is from four to seven feet deep, so that there can be no doubt about the permanence of the goldfield. I have been here for a little more than a month, and am one of a party of six. We bottomed a 40ft shaft last week, and got six feet of payable wash-dirt. Wo are working about two miles from the Boss Road, where the lead was first struck, and where the township is. The latter is going a-head very fast. There is an opening for-a good stbre down the lead, as, if one were opened, the men would not need to go to the township for their goods. The only drawback is that everything would have to be carried to the ground, as neither dray nor paokhorse can get across this country. A good-sized store was lately erected about half a mile from the road. Everything wanted was carried by one man, and now he is “ humping ” down the timber for a butcher’s shop. Provisions are selling at very reasonable prices here. Bread, for instance, is 6d per 4lb loaf, and of far superior quality to what you get in Canterbury, it being made of Adelaide flour. First-class beef is obtainable at from 4d to 6d per lb, sugar is sd, tea 2s, and other groceries equally cheap. Timber, for building, is delivered on the road at 8s per 100 feet. The weather since I have been here has been dreadfully wet—about fire days pouring rain to two of fine in a week. It is very mild, however. I do not know of anything else that would interest you, but if there sheuld be anything I shall be happy to tell you all about it in a future letter.