OTAGO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 49, 5 June 1862, Page 3

OTAGO.

Information reached us on the 2nd inst.. that a person had been to Cape Rald’.vln, at Waitabuna, reporting that he had discovered seven miles of quartz ranges, with an alluvial gold Held in the immediate vicinity, more extensive than any previously discovered in Otago, and fully capable of supporting from 20,000 to 80,000 miners. lie stated that the ground was shallow and rich, and that he had himself washed 3oz. of gold from one shovelful of stutf from shallow ground, and that he had also fossicked gold out of the side of the hill, without washing. He declined to mention the locality, or to give any clue to its whereabouts until he could obtain a guarantee of a reward of £3,000. Captain Baldwin, of course, had to refuse to make any promise until he had communicated with the Government, and in the meantime the secret is preserved. It appears that the individual is well known, he being the same man who first discovered the lignite at Waitahnna. He says that he has refused £SOO to divulge the secret to a private party. There is nothing extremely improbable in this story, but, at the same time, former experience justifies us in accepting all such glowing accounts with considerable caution. It is quite possible inal the prospector mnv himself be deceived, not of course, as to what he actually obtained, but in his estimate of the value and extent of the field. Doubtless, a few days will show whether there is any truth in his tale or not. It would certainly bo a fine thing if a fresh gold field were to be opened up shortly^ —Otorjo Daily Times. During the month of April, there have arrived at the port of Otago from Torts not in New Zealand, Gl2 adult males; 2GI adult females; IU6 male, and ltd! female children : in all, 1115. The departures to foreign ports for the same period wore 2,071 adult males ; It) adult females ; t) male and 8 female children, in all, 2110, showing a balance against the province of 005. The balance of the qua Her ending Alarch 31, was -1523 in favor of Uiago. aho arr.vals coastwise for the month of April, were l it) adult males ; 3SI adult females; 22 male, and 10 female children ; in all 219. 'llie departures coastwise for the same period were 20H adult males ; 27 adult females, 13 males, and 1 female ; children in all 219, leaving a balance of -11 against this Province. The bah ancc for the quarter ending Harch 31, was 7-1 S against Otago.