THE GILBERT.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 567, 4 September 1869, Page 3

THE GILBERT.

We are permitted to publish a letter from the Gilbert Diggings, written by a miner who formerly had a share in one of the celebrated claims on the Fenian or Black Sand Lead, to the rear of Rutherglen, and who is now working at the Gilbert. He is well known in the district, and what he says may be implicitly relied upon : — Gilbert River, July 31. Dear — = After being three weeks here, I am able to let you know a little about this place. The population is about 2000, and far too many for the gold there is getting ; by all appearance here is a large extent of gold-bearing country, but nothing rich has been found, even the two gullies where so much pas has been about have been in no ways rich. In the river itself is found for about 40 miles, some places payable, but like the rest nothing rich. I have heard there are gold-bearing reefs discovered, whether true I could not say ; but one thing ia true, here are many reefs and running in all directions, but east and west mostly. Although there are a few arrivals, but apparently the population is decreasing. This seems to be a very unhealthy place, for some of the old acquaintances whom 1 left on, the Cape look that bad that I hardly know them again. There are even now plenty bad with fever and sore eyes. The fever is of a worse description than fever and ague. Provisions are moderate, but very scaree — some even have to subsist for a week on nothing but beef aiid mutton. I have to do with very little flour myself. When there are provisions they have been sold up to now — Flour, Is per lb. ; barley, 2s ; oatmeal, 2s ; tea, 53 ; jam, 2s, 2a 6d. Tools plentiful : shovels, 12s ; picks, 10s ; boards, for cradles, have been sold as high as Is per foot. Old B. Towns, from Sydney, is here — notices of that he intends bringing within four weeks from this date provisions to this place via Norman Town (Carpentaria). I hope it will be true. The distance is only 200 miles as some say who have travelled it, and pretty level and well watered, so if this place should go a-head, which I am doubtful' about, yet Norman Town will be likely our seaport, for the road from Cleveland Bay is, in spite of the folse reports they publish, nothing less than 320 miles, and some of it pretty rough and badly watered. No doubt by this time you will read big reports in the Queensland papers about the Cloncuny, for I know a man named , who keeps a public-house there, is down Port Denison way with a few ounces of gold, and you may be sure he will try his best, including the Queensland papers, to cause a rush that wsiy. Should such be the case, people should be cautious, for as much as I have heard here people have been working there for about two years, and never made anything like wages. This place has been proclaimed a gold field, and we have got a Commissioner too, which is more a matter of form sake than anything else, for this rush is opened since New Year last, and no escort has left herp yet, and not very likely that it soon will be. I bought a saddle and bridle in Brisbane for L 2, and in TownsVille a horse for LB, with the whole bargain I am very well satisfied. lam making at present from L2to L 3 per week. I think this is all I can let yet know at present. I shall conclude by sending my best respects to all acquaintance, and hoping to receive soon an answer from you, — I remain, yours, &c.