THE KIMBERLEY GOLDFIELD.

Kumara Times, Issue 2993, 7 June 1886, Page 3

THE KIMBERLEY GOLDFIELD.

SIR GEORGE GREY’S EXPERIENCES AND SUGGESTIONS. A LADY’S THOUGHTS ON THE SUBJECT. The Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Press writes on June 2nd as follows : As so much interest is just now excited in the new Kimb.erley goldfields, any fresh and authentic information respecting the locality will probably be acceptable. I have therefore sought an interview with Sir G. Grey, who, you will remember, was engaged in extensive explorations in that part of the world in former years, and Sir Geo. Grey has very kindly given me, in the course of conversation to-night, some valuable bints on the subject, with the full knowledge that they would be used in the public prints. Sir George tells me he was never actually at Kimberley, nor nearer than about 100 miles, but there is so much similarity in the country, that as he has ascertained from other explorers, his own experience may be taken as applying to Kimberley itself. He says the climate near the sea coast is good, but very warm, although not injuriously so, if care be taken as to habiis of living. He was there for several months during the hottest season of the year, and experienced no ill effects, nor was there a single case of sickness in his party; but this was only secured through the observance of the strictest rules with regard to living. His men were not allowed to use any spirits or alcoholic liquor of any kind whatever, and to this rule of rigid abstinence Sir George in a large degree attributes his constant good health, and that of his party, notwithstanding the great heat. At the same time he states that the climate is thoroughly tropical, and much too hot for comfort and for hard work such as gold-digging to he carried on without danger, although the intensity of the beat is somewhat tempered by a cool sea breeze, which blows constantly during the heat of the day. .Sir George Grey says, however, that horses are an absolute necessity, and that it is quite impracticable to travel without them. The climate suits horses well enough, and where the soil and feed are good they do very well. Any number of small active horses, little larger than ponies, may be procured at two neighbouring islands, Timor and Rotti, both belonging to the Dutch, and they may be bought at a very small cost, and thay can he brought over in about two days’ sail or even less. Provisions also can be obtained at these islands, At least such food as the natives use can be procured iu abundance from the Dutch islands. The Kimberley country varies in character. Most of it is of .sandstone formation, which gives only a poor yield of grass, but some is volcanic, and in those localities the soil is rich and the grass good. The natives are numerous in certain parts of the country. They were formerly very troublesome, but have become accustomed so Luropeansj aad ace

generally peaceful and well disposed. Sir Geore Grey informs me that his men did very well and were kept in good health on ordinary food, such as diggers generally have—tea and damper, with a little bacon. He suggests that vessels conveying intending diggers would do a profitble trade by calling at the islands of Timor and Rotti, for horses. They could he obtained in any numbers, and conveyed to Kimberley for sale to the diggers and otbeis, a trade which would pay handsomely. The country has always been suspected of beinganriferousjils aspect and general formation being similar to that of various well-known gold-bearing localities, but it is impossible to say as yet whether digging can be carried on profitably by Europeans in such a tropical climate. Such'is the substance of Sir George Grey’s information, which was very readily afforded to me.

“Arabella Gadabout” writes on June Ist to the Canterbury Times, as follows:—Everybody is talking gold diggings and “Kimberley” at present. I feel so strongly against our nice young men going, that I am inclined to take my stand on a chair at the Bank of New Z“aland corner and cry, “ Think of the snakes! Think of fever and ague ! Think of 400 miles of swampy inhospitable country to travel over after you get to Derby ! Think of not being able to get a mouthful of water to drink when you arn patched and thirsty ! Think of the hungry, big mosquitoes ! Think of the horrible price of provisions! Think of the castor oil, quinine and laudanum, which you have been advised by the newspapers not to go without! Think of the fearful heat and of the thousands of Australians, well accustomed to it and to that kind of life, who will get there before you. Then think of New Zealand, with its fair prosppcts'and pleasant climate; its plentiful food and comfortable homes; and last, but not least, think of the nice girls you are leaving, and stay, stay where you are ; work hard, hope on, and all will be well in the end.” What a sensation I should create if I dared to do this. Tell me what you West Coast people think on the subject ?