News from Kimberley

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 33, 28 August 1886, Page 2

News from Kimberley

We have received a letter from Mr J. McDonald, who left here forKimberley by the Triumph. He says: — " We arrived in DerWy on the 25th of July after a safe passage. We found the news about the Kiniberley goldfield was not so encouraging as we expected. The report of 2000 oz. of gold we hoard in Wellington was quite false. All the gold which has come to Derby from Kimberley is about 500 or 600 ounces. The Sergeant of Police, who had just come down from the diggings two days before our arrival, told me there was only about forty miners on the ground who are getting gold at present, and water was getting scarce. The Sergeant further told me there is plenty of graaa and water all the way

lp. Water is found about every 12 niles. We can get all the way with. ;he drays. Moat of the diggers have jone by way of Grambridge Gulf Chore are about 2000 on the road at present. We intend to start next jpeek. It'is reported in Derby there s a miner on his way from the diggings with a4O ounce nugget. A lot >£ the Triumph passengers are going back in the same steamer. They are ifraid to go to the field. I would not advise anybody to leave New Zealand Eor the next six months. By that time the field will be proved for good or bad. I will write to you from the diggings, and let you know how things are up there. Younger and party, and Jackmak and party are in good health. The climate is grand." This letter will prove interesting to the families and friends of the several parties which left Feildingto try their fortunes in the new El Dorado. An exchauge says : — " When the steamer Triumph, from New Zealand, arrived at Derby with 260 passengers, she was ordered into quarantine on account of a case of scarlatina on board. The passengers refused to comply with this order, and they seized the boats and made their way ashore. There was nothing for it then but to admit the vessel to pratique, and this was accordingly done. Evidently the New Zealand contingent for the Kimberley diggings are determined not to be delayed by such trifles as quarantine regulations."