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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 451, 28 November 1849, Page 4

of fare at 25 cents, other dishes 50 cents. Champagne and Sherry 3 dollars per bottle. Draught mules were being imported in large numbers from the southern ports. Horses had also begun to arrive, but mules had the preference. A registry office had also been opened for the purpose of affording every assistance in the delivery and despatch of letters. The Post-office at Sacramento city is represented in a state of hopeless confusion, every postmaster having gone off to the mines shortly after his appointment. The general health of the 5,000 inhabitants of San Francisco is good. Recently some deaths have occurred from diarrhea and dysentery, and many are now suffering from one or the other of these diseases ; but the I sickness is abating. Some solicitude is felt in regard to cholera and ship-fever ; — but the general opinion is that neither of these diseases can spread in such a climate as this, although it is highly probable that nine out of ten cases would j prove fatal.

From the Alta California, Sept. 13. Gunpowder, in large and small quantities, is offered for sale in nearly every store and tent in the city. Should a fire break out the destruction of human life would only be equalled by the Joss of property, for an unheeded spark will reduce our flourishing town to ashes. Is not this fact deserving of the attention of the Common Council 1 Discovery op a vein of Gold. — Col. J. C. Fremont has deuounced a tract of land lying on the Mariposa River, about 40 miles from the San Joaquin, upon which has been recently discovered an exceedingly rich vein of gold. The Mariposa (or Butterfly) river was a few months since visited by a party conducted by this eminent explorer, and washings established along the stream. The land occupied by this party was conveyed to the 'Colonel in 1846, and ihe mines thereupon having been regularly denounced, according to Mexican law, measures have been taken to work them. The vein is about two feet in thickness at the surface and is found in the usual strata of quartz. The yield is about Boz. of gold to lOOlbs. of rock. A specimen was exhibited at this office a few days since, together with a mass of gold extracted by quicksilver, weighing about three ounces. There is every reason to believe that this vein may be traced many leagues in extent, and be found of uninterrupted richness. The gold mines of California are now in reality dispovered !