(From a forthcoming Work on California by Dr. F. P Wierzbicki.) ADVICE TO THB MINER.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 423, 4 May 1850, Page 3

(From a forthcoming Work on California by Dr. F. P Wierzbicki.) ADVICE TO THB MINER.

On arriving in California, the gold-hunters—if we may be pardoned the expression—first touch the shore at San Francisco ; Jherc they look for information; how and what are the means to get the precious pelf in large quantities, that they may not stay in the country too long; if they happen to have a letter to some one in the place, or if they meet an old friend, they put a thousand questions to him, faster than he is able to answer thtfm, evidently hurried by anxiety to loae no time and opportunity. Then they will tell him about their plans—how they are going to procaed in the business, what excellent machines they bring from New York, or some other place, to work with, and so forth. The American!, and particularly those that call themselves, oraiv called, Yankees,par excellence, have the reputation of putting many questions to people they happen to full in with ; but on this occasion they are more even than Yankees, in pouring upon the stranger they meet, their interrogatories. Now, we propose here to benefit both parties—the annoying and annoyed; we use the expression not to duguise the matter in obscure words, as it is really the plain fact, and anticipate all such queitious by suitable information, upon which they can put at least some reliance, as we are neither a merchant, a trader, or speculator in land or mines. Neither San Francisco, the City of Sacramento, nor Stockton, are the placet where reliable information is to he expected by one who proposes to go to the mines, as these places may be compared 'to the famous Dyonsius' ear, where the gentlest whiiper is re-echoed a thousand times. Interebt and ignorance frequently conßpire in circulating extraordinary stories of success on very slender foundation, for some never have been in the mines at all, and have not the slightest idea of them, crediting everything they hear; others have their trading post established on some particular spot, where, of course, the mines must be vert/ rich. Tho trading portion of Che inhabitants of these places see gold brought in in large quantities, but they never trouble themselves with how much labour it is got out —who has failed and who has tucceeded; in fine, they hear only of constant success. The fact is, that while there are many who succeed there are others who scarcely pay their expenses. This should not be withheld from the knowledge of a new comer, since in caso of failure in his ruining expectations, he will be somewhat prepared for such an. event, and will be able to make the best of it. The newcomer, on preparing himself toatait for the mines, first should know what he wants for hi* expedition. Many start lumbered with baggage, imagining that they cannot and muit not forego the indis. pcnsable comforts of life. All baggage is a burden and heavy expense to the miner; the cost, and sometimes the difficulty of transportation, forbid any such commodities; and besides it will always impede his free movement, if he should want to go from place to place. He should have absolutely nothing more than what he can carry on a beast, if he be able to have one, or if not, what he can shoulder himself. The less one brings to the mines the best prospects of success he jnay have ; and the more he is loaded with goods, the more probably he will lose. This is the secret why all hardworking men who are inured to hard labours, and strangers to enervating comforts, such as sailors or mechanics, generally do very well. The miner needs good, stout, and warm clothing, just enough in quantity for a change, for the sake of cleanliness ; a pair of stout boots or shojs, or both ; two good blankets to sleep comfortably, warm and dry: his mining tools consisting of a pick-axe, spade, crowbar, a tin pan to wash gold in, a good gheath knifu and a trowel. The pickaxe and crowbar should be of a convenient size for handling, and well steeled on the ends. A washing' machine is used when there are two or more working in partnership. All the machines that have been brought here frum the States are absolutely useless ; they have proved profitable only to the vendors there. The simple machine which is here in common uss consists of three light boards, three feet long, and about ten inches high, put together in the shape of a cradle, with two rockers underneath.

MiLK.~We ore convinced that San Francisco mint be very near the Milky Way— from the fact thud although cowi hare been seen in the vicinity, no per* son is known to have any in his possession. Your ' pump* is your milch cow in these latitudes, and the number of gallons it yields per day, is tiuly astonishing. In the absence of kine, it is neceitury to have lome kind of lait, and the expedient adopted by the milkmen is to dig a good well and lay in a supply of chalk. This article is in great repute in the manufacture of milk, although plaiter-of-paris with on infusion of chrome yellow, makes a richer milk ; the yield of cream is about the B&me, and neither description curdles in your coifre — although to drink it sometimes sours the temper. Some persons prefer the manufactured aiticlo to the real thing, which we can hardly credit ; for we once knew a milk-man— -a madt man , by his ingenuity — who # assured us that he could make a better article of milk than any cow in the land.— California*

We are told with respect to the Panama Railroad, that a body of engineer?, are cominu from Net* York on board the Cherokee, and that the mechanic! and materials muy be expected here in a sailing vessel, sometime in the beginning of the next month. In. regard to the rumours circulating in town, about the contract baing unfulfilled by the Company, we learn from the best authority that tlieie rumours are without founeution. The Aailroad will be commcueod and completed in the shortest possible space of time. Tho company had a year in which to commence the road, and that year expires only on the 19th day of July, 1850. The work will be commenced by the middle at January next. Men and materials have already started from New York, and will be in Obagres in n few days. The Cherokee will bring the body of engineers. In fact, all is going on vigorously, and we shall soon soo the termini of the Railroad at Gorgon 1 * filled up with, the best of muterjals to construct the magnificenc undertaking, and stalwart arms to push it oo to completion.— Panama Echo, Dec. t^.