THE PALMER RIVER RUSH.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 229, 31 March 1874, Page 6

THE PALMER RIVER RUSH.

An excellent letter, under dates February 14, 15, and 16, is published in the Sydney Town and Country Journal respecting the above rush, from which we make the following extracts. After describing the voyage from Sydney to the Endeavour River, and Several stirring events and incidentals to a new rush, the writer says :— ? " All who are determined to go to the Palmer are perfectly reconciled to stop five or six weeks before they make another attempt ; some say that they will not budge a foot before rations are taken up to the Palmer, gold or no gold. These are the words of those that have had a trial of it. 1 have been to all the severest rushes in the colonies— Gippsland, Otago, West Coast, and many of the West Coasters know how to rough it. This place beats all I have ever heard of. " I called on the police magistrate to-day, and asked him to be kind enough to give me all particulars about the gold that was got, and if there really was any truth about two thousand ounces having been sent away by any steamer, as was rumoured. He denied any knowledge whatever of it, and as a positive fact knows of no gold having been sent by escort. All he knows is hearsay, that several parties took various parcels away. If there was any truth about these great finds, I would not mind the bad news about the roads ; for after a few weeks no doubt the road will be passable. I can get no news whatever that justifies this reckless rush. Surely men do not want to come to Queensland, more especially this part, to prospect. They may just as well prospect where they come from, and I am fully satisfied they might do so with better results. There are many men here now that will never turn back till they have seen the diggings—men 1 who have been the pioneers of almost all the gold-fields in the Colonies—that if there is half a chance of getting any gold will not leave anything unturned to see if there is a possibility of being rewarded. There maybe payable gold at the Palmer ; but I very much doubt it. In the face of all the news that is sent back it will be sheer madness for any one to come until such time' as genuine bona fide' news-goes back ; and assure as gold does happen to be found, so sure shall they have the truth."

Then follows the prices of provisions, which are no doubt altered long ago, and a description of the climate, which appears to be a very hot one. There is also an account of the blacks, and their hostility to new comers, but they will not long prove an obstacle if the rush is any good. The writer then goes on : " Yonr readers may rest themselves assured that they will get reliable accounts of the doings of this place. A considerable portion of those that are here are perfectly sure now that they have made a mistake in coming. Several that I worked with on the Canadian are here, and have written back for their friends not to come. In fact Ido not know what to think of the future. 1 sincerely hope and trust that the Press will give ail possible publicity to these and all other truthful statements. There will soon be many men here from Victoria, New Zealand—in iact everywhere ; and if active measures are taken to spread the truth, thousands may be spared the expense, and hardships they will have to undergo if they come."

Routes and Fares. A Sydney contemporary gives the following information respecting the routes and distances to the new rush : "We have received this week about a dozen letters enquiring the fare, distance, etc., to the Endeavour liiver. To prevent further inconvenience we repeat—(l) that the distance by sea from Sydney to the Endeavour is about 1500 miles, and the distance from the Endeavour (Cooktown) to the Palmer about 200 miles ; (2) that the fare for a steerage passage to the Endeavour is from £6 and upwards ; (3) that the rate of freight is from £4 10s. to £5 per ton ; (4) that each passenger is allowed 5 cwt. of luggage free of charge ; (5) that steamers are, at present, leaving Sydney for the Endeavour two or three times a week ; (6) there is, at present, so far as we can understand, no road from the Endeavour to the Palmer, although it is very probable that a practicable track for wheeled vehicles will soon be found, as there are no insuperable natural obstacles to such a mode of travelling in that part ; (7) that the freight for horses is L.lO 10s., and for drays about L.9."

[Latest Telegraphic News.] ■ Sydney, March 14. j The floods at the Palmer are subsiding, j The roads to the gold-fields are drying fast, and pack-horses are very rmich wanted. The general news of the return is good. Several men died from starvation during the floods : some existed for weeks on grass. The latest despatch from Townsville says the road to the Palmer is now accessible. The rivers are all down, but provisions .are still scarce on the diggings. Two men who have arrived from Cooktown stale that they prospected a hundred miles up the Palmer without success. Reefs are being found in all directions, and gold within forty miles of Cooktown. Provisions are plentiful and cheap at Cooktown. Meat 13 scarce, but 'twenty-two cows have reached the township.