PALMER RIVER GOLD-FIELD.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 101, 26 September 1874, Page 3

PALMER RIVER GOLD-FIELD.

[From the Cooldown Herald, August 12th,] During the week many men have arrived from the diggings, all bringing more or less gold, and since the Boomerang left the banks have bought considerable quantities, in large and small parcels. Nearly all that have come from it say that, with cheap rations and police protection, the Palmer would be the best field ever opened in Queensland. We have received several letters from successful men, who speak in glowing terms of the Palmer as a gold-field ; but, in order that no highly-colored statements should go forth to the public as to the tremendous yields, we publish the following extracts from a letter received by a gentleman in town, the writer of which is well known, and in whose veracity we place implicit confidence ; “Mitchell Falls, July 26th.

“ There is no doubt but that the Palmer is a fine gold-field, and it will take years, in my opinion, to thoroughly develop it. Every creek and ravine contains gold in small quantities, and exceptional ones, such as M'Leod’s and Jessop’s, the enormous richness of which you have heard of lately. Independent of these, there is a large extent of country yielding an average of half an ounce per day to hundreds of men, to my own certain knowledge. The fact is, the country is only half prospected, and depend upou it the result will be right.” Another arrival in town, Mr Thomas Jones, who has been storekeeping on the Pal mer for some time, and who is well known as a man to give a correct report, and, coming from him in a rough and ready form, we give it as he says :—“ I heard a month ago that some men were working near Mount Mulgrave about 14 miles from the lower camp, towards the Mitchell, and that they had got from sdwt to an ounce to the dish. How I heard of it—the men came into the upper camp for rations, and went away at night time. Since that I hear they have been found out, and a rush has set in. The diggings are at present very scattered, and there is no settled township, and I believe that if there is a permanent settlement it will be on the Mitchell, which is apparently in the centre of the gold. I do not however know how far the diggings extend, but I hear 15 miles from Cleveland Bay side of the Mitchell, where the men are all getting a little gold, but not sufficient to pay, rations being so high, diggers not being satisfied at from sdwt to Bdwt a day. I believe, however, every person on the diggings is getting a little gold, but it is no use to have a shallow idea that with labor only gold is got: without horses it is useless ; they must be got to carry rations, otherwise if men have to depend on humping food for such long distances they will be half their time laid up sick, swallowing physic. At the present Sandy Creek is nearly worked out, but I believe that after the wet season, that Oakey, Jessop’s, and M'Leod’s will be all turned over, and good gold got in them. I thoroughly believe in the Palmer as a goldfield over all Queensland diggings, if cheap rations could be got. Again, there is no police protection to afford security to diggers and storekeepers, there being but Sergeant Redman and Constable M'Carthy, and another at the upper camp, to protect 5000 souls. Constable O’Leary is postmaster, and Mr Commissioner Dorsey has but one orderly ; consequently there are only three policemen to watch over all the Mitchell and Upper Camps. The blacks on the Palmer are getting very dangerous, and no later than 10 days ago a digger was speared through the heart and instantly killed. There was a party of six men 35 miles up the river prospecting, and one morning between 10 and 11 they were attacked by between 30 and 40 blacks, who although the diggers were well armed, kept them fighting the whole

day long, until the man in question was killed. The other men at once made for their horses and were off, the blacks pursuing them, and every time they got into intricate ground or hollow, would send a volley of spears into the party, but happily without further damage being done.” The special reporter of the above paper, writing from the Palmer under date August 2nd, says :—“ The rush to Sandy Creek is over, that is to [say men are still doing well, but nothing to warrant any excitement has taken place recently. I hear Jessop is en route with 160 oz as his share ; otheis I have heard of having more, but of course I cannot vouch for the truth. I reserve all comments upon the rush for a future letter, and in my next will endeavour to give a faithful account of Sandy Creek doings, and present. Men are repeatedly coming in to Palmerville with a few pounds weight of gold, so that is a sign of general well doing. Men who will work can get £1 a-day—rough bush carpenter, —here in Palmerville. Some Chinamen, working here in the river bed, are getting at the rate of 200 oz. per week ; there are, however, a large number of them at work, and I mention this as hearsay only and cannot vouch for the truth of it.” [From the Courier, August 15th.] A gentleman in whose veracity we have every confidence, and who left the Palmer at the latter end of last week, reports : MOUNT MULGRAVE. This is the last rush on the tapis. It is situated about thirty miles south of the Lower Township, and about an equal distance west from Sandy Creek. This new rush is supposed to have been opened by Messrs Mulligan and party, who were known to be out in that direction. At the time our informant left, it was reported that there was 30ft made ground—that is to say, 30ft sinking—and that those indefatigable prospectors, Messrs Mulligan and party, had taken a 4oz piece and other gold off the bottom of the first hole put down. This news, as might have been expected, caused great excitement amongst those wandering mortals, the diggers, on the Palmer, and a general stampede was the consequence. All who had horses, and all who could buy them, left forthwith. Whether this rush has proved a * shicer,’ or whether it has turned out right, our informant could not say, but certain it is that several diggers who have since arrived state that it was well spoken of at the time they left the Palmer, and that large numbers were still leaving for it. MITCHELL FALLS. Here men are making, with the dish, from sdwt to per day ; with the cradle, from *oz upwards, in some cases falling on heavy patches. There is a large population on this rush, and few are grumbling. They all say they are making tucker, with the prospect of a rise. Here the diggings, as on Sandy Creek and the creeks adjacent to it, are merely 1 gully Takings.’ The gold is easily got, and the creeks and ravines easily worked out—indeed, it is nothing wonderful for a party of men to work out a claim in three or four days or a week, and in this way the country is quickly run over. On Sandy Creek, Pine Creek, Stony Creek, M’Leod’s and Butcher’s Creek the men are making from first-class wages (say from 2oz per day) to barely tucker. On M’Leod’s Greek (the best creek mentioned) the dirt has to be carried from 300 yards to half-a-mile ; the other ravines and gullies will be payable, our informant says, when the rain falls.

The population on all the rushes may be roughly calculated at 5000 souls, including some 500 Chinamen, on the Palmer proper. Great fears are entertained of a famine during the rain, and rations at the time our informant writes were selling at most exorbitant prices.