COOKTOWN AND THE PALMER.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 275, 12 June 1874, Page 3

COOKTOWN AND THE PALMER.

(From the ■ Brisbane Courier.') Towns ville, April 18.. I have just returned from a visit tt> Cooktown, Endeavor "River, where, during a stay of four days, I had an opportunity of learning some facts connected, with the Palmer rush. There were five steamers, one ship, two barques, and about ten schooners at the port, and from thjee to four thousand people camped at various parts between Grassy Hill and the outside boundary of the township. Owing to the very heavy rains that have : prevailed for the past three weeks, they are unable to travel, and it is probable that many will not attempt to go up to the diggings "at all. The news brought down by the southern men is nqt at all encouraging, but .the fact is that New Zealanders, Victorians, and all except very few of the .New South Wales men are not able to.-stand this climate, much, less go through the hardship they would: have to undergo by a journey to the Palmer, where they would have to prospect for payable ground, which is much scattered. But even should this field proveall that has been said of it, it would not give/ employment to more than from 1500 to 3000 men. unless good reefs are found, and rations become more p'entiiul, and cheaper; and this will not be uni.il the drays can -travel,: which will be three months hence.

The .Northern Queensland diggers' reports are of a more sanguine nature; they speak well of the place, and say they can. do moderately Swell. Many of these menI have known well for the last five years', since the. Gape and Gilbert rushes, anct feel. assured that having been on the Palmer they would not express their determination of returning if they did not think it worth their while. There is still a large area of counti-y to prospect. It does not. follow, that because a few hundred men have been making a living on a newly-discovered field, that from 10,000 to 15,0f)0 men of all classes should madly rush to Cooktown—in all probability twothirds will never go out of the town. The harbor of Cooktown is, in my opinion, one of the finest north of Sydney, but the coast requires lighting at various points, which will lessen the difficulty and danger of navigation.

The following are the principal tradesrepresented : —Sixty-five publican's licenses are issued, and thirty more applied for, but not many of these contain requisite accommodation, in fact the majority have none at all; then come about twenty eating houses, twelve large stores, twenty smaller ones, six butchers,five bakers, three tinsmiths, four tent and sailmakers, six hairdressers, seven blacksmiths, four chemists, three doctors, three- watchmakers, seven bootmakers,, four fancy shops, five saddlers, four Cus-tom-house agents and auctioneers, threebooksellers. There are several billiard—rooms,'and three Chinamen with goods from their gardens. The above are far iiu excess of the number required. As soon as the roads are open 75 per cent, will nodoubt remove somewhere out of Cooktown. J_ have no hesitation in sayings that they cannot exist there after the rush cools down.