THE PALMER DIGGINGS.

Evening Star, Issue 3661, 16 November 1874, Page 2

THE PALMER DIGGINGS.

A letter from the Palmer correspondent of the ‘Cooktown Courier’ contains the following respecting the state of affairs on this goldfield : It would almost appear that the very enterprising merchants of Cooktown had conspired together to draw the entire digging population of the Palmer to the port, by stopping the supplies; otherwise why have not arrangements been made for adequately provisioning these diggings! Paris was scarcely worse off during the latter days of the siege than the Palmer is at the present moment, except in the matter of beef, which, at Is a pound, is the only cheap thing wo have on the diggings, and the only tiling that keeps body and soul together. Flour (when obtainable) is, per lb., 3s Gd to 4s; damper (to travellers) per lb., 4s; beaf, Is; tea, Gs; sugar, 3s 9d; tobacco, 12s ; rice, 4s ; English potatoes, per lb., 3s (on Stony Creek 4s 6d per lb.); pickles, per bottle, 4s ; jams, per tin, 3s 6d; blnchcr boots (according to quantity on diggings), 25s to 45s per pair ; brandy, per bottle, 20s ; porter, 10s; vinegar, 20s ; salt, per lb., 3s ; candles, per lb., 5s ; apples, per lb., 3s 9d ; preserved potatoes, per lb., 3s 6d; oatmeal, per lb., 3s 9d; horse-shoeing, 30s ; and other goods at correspondingly crushing prices. t Pine Creek the blacks made a reconnaissance in force recently, and commenced spearing horses in every direction, until they were right in the midst of the tents, where at least eight horses were seen to fall at their hands. The blacks were supposed to number no less than 200 or 300, and on more than one occasion men in search of horses were encountered by them, and compelled to run for their lives. Things began to look serious, and diggers were naturally apprehensive that at any moment a regular raid might bo made on the camp. At last, when it was known that fifty horses had been speared, it was resolved to put a stop to this wholesale massacre if possible. With this object, twenty-two diggers, well armed, mustered one evening, and proceeded up the creek in quest of the blackfellows’ camp. After travelling nearly all night, their fires were at last sighted, and the avengers, dividing into two parties, and posting themselves conveniently for the work of dispersion, waited patiently for the dawn. When at last day broke, something like 200 blacks were seen squatting about the fires. The white men soon ■’ made their presence known, and in a moment the yelling of the blacks, thus taken by surprise, was horrible. . . • . ■ They did not show fight, but ran right in the direction where the second party, who had not yet shown shown themselves, were posted. . . . In the camp were found the skele* tons of fourteen horses, the flesh of which had been eaten, and the bones cleaned as artistically as Jack Edwards bimself could have done it. There were also two. or three broken guns, miners’ dishes, and other tools, Crimean shirts, and heaps of other articles taken from murdered white men, or stolen from diggers’ tents. There were also twenty mat coffins full of human bones, which they at first attempted to take with them, but gave up the attempt very quickly. The exclamation “ . whitetellow ” was. frequently used amongst the blacks when running away ; and it is thought very probable that Duniaresq’s black troopers, four or five of whom bolted some time ago, were amongst them, and directing their movements.

Robberies of gold, and stlier crimes punishable by law, are matters of daily and nightly occurrence on the diggings; but not one man in a hundred would go to the expense, trouble, and loss of time involved in a prosecution, let the robbery "be what it might, or whatever the nature of the crime. I have onlyheard of one case, so far, where the services of Judge Lynch were called into requisition. This was at Stony Creek, where a man was robbed of 12oz. in one of those detestable shanties that crop out everywhere, and suspicion falling on a fellow who was loafing about, there was a roll-up of diggers and the supposed thief was taken into custody. The evidence against him was held to be sufficient, and a rope having been passed around his nock in true Culcraft style, ho was about to be strung up, when ho disgorged three ounces and promised to make up the rest, at the same time protesting his innocence. The poor fellow was so terrified by the fearful peril from which he had escaped, that during the whole of that night he kept roaring like a mad bull. There are no police within twenty-five miles of the place. Recent prospecting has proved the existence of heavy .deposits of blach

sand, containing a very high percentage of tin, in the creeks falling into the main branch of the river, from thirty to thirty-live miles above this camp (Edwards’). One man (a Stanthorpo man) who had saved a pannikinfnl of the mineral, informs me that he could get as much as 51b weight to the dish, and that he met with nothing at Shuithorpe to equal it. The place is within fifty miles of Cook town, and no doubt in years to come the discovery will be turned to practical account. Here is further evidence of the richness of this part of the country in the most valuable minerals. THE LATEST. I don’t think there has been any goldfields where men, by easy work, could have made so much gold in a few days as at the Palmer; sometimes it being on the surface. Ground 4ft is considered deep, but—a notable hut—the claims are too small. A claim holding out for four weeks is something riot known of. It might indeed often be heard that diggers had made one pound weight every day out of a claim, but they forgot to tell you that it was worked out in three clays. Parties I am acquainted with have made 30oz or more a week, some have made 15cz, some only 40oz, while a good many only have made tucker—one ounce a week. 3SI early all have been ill and a great number have died. Fever and dysentery are the prevalent epidemics. Pity those who are without means ! Friendship is then nowhere ! The town is now lively, and full of men who have come down from the diggings. They all want to recruit themselves by resting till about Christmas. Some go to Sydney and Brisbane, while others remain here. Very few go home, as there has not been so much gold got but what all want to go back for more. The great want is horses or mules. It is thought that when furnished with pack animals and better equipments than were to be had the first journey up, better results will be gained ; but you know how it goes on the diggings - always expecting better when this or that is done. Is it not better for men to stop in New Zealand ? would it be worth while, for such small patches, to go to suck a climate ?