BLUE MOUNTAIN RUSH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9, 25 November 1861, Page 2

BLUE MOUNTAIN RUSH.

Through the courtesy of the Chief Commissioner of Police, we are enabled to publish the subjoined report from Mr. Inspector Moreton of the result of his search after the Blue Mountain Gold Field. It will be seen that I there is no Gold Field yet discovered--that at best there are persons prospecting in the [ neighbourhood of Southland, —and Perkins' seems to be to take a number of men there. " Police Department, Tuapcka, " 22nd November, 1861. " Sir, —I have (he honor to inform you that on the morning of the. 18th inst. I left the Molyneiix Ferry and arrived on the eventng of the same day at Capt. M'Kenzie's station, where I ascertained that all the miners had returned to Tuapeka aud Waitahuna* except a small party who remained to prospect the gullies in the vicinity of the station and the Victoria Ranges. The latter place is distant from Capt. M'Kenzie*s about thirty miles. •* The country in the neighbourhood of the station, and to the West of the Blue Mountains, is undulating; there is very little timber on it, but on the mountains there is an abundance. " It is also auriferous, as gold has been found, "not in payable quantities," in the gullies and in the Pemnhaka, by souic miners

who are now prospecting there The country Z similar in appearance to that m the Ararat and Pleasant deck districts, where rich Gold Fields have been discovered. " In consequence of the tranquil state oF the country in Capt. Mackenzie's neighbourhood, I deemed it advisable to remove mounted constable Dalgleish, and station him for a few day* at Popotuna gorge* through which is the route to Invercargill, and where there is great traffic, as a great number of nuners are proceeding towards the South to prospect Dr. Menzie's station on the Mataura. *• On my arrival at Popatuna on the evening of the 120 th instant, I was informed by M& Steel, a settler raiding in the gorge and close to the road, that he would give quarters, &c. to the constable until the Government could provide accommodation for him. I accepted the offer and stationed the constable there, subject to your approval. I would not hare removed him without your authority, but that I believed that in this case you would approve of th« course which I adopted. "Adjacent to Mr. Steel's fence there was a_ camp of about four hundred miners, and th, major portion of them informed me that they would accompany Perkins, the person alluded to in my letter of the 18th inst., to Dr. Menzie's station, in order to give him an opportunity of proving his statements, and that they would watch over him until his arrival there. " As a number of miners intend to prospect the country in the vicinity of Captain Mackenzie's, and Mr. M'Nabb's, I believe that a Gold Field will be discov^rsd, and that the greater portion of the gold will be forwarded To Invercargill for exportation. " The Molyneux Ferry will be the princi- | pal centre of traffic on the Dunedin route, and as it is the intention of some persons to place steamers on the river, it will greatly facilitate the transport of provisions, &c., to the diggings if any as there is a good and level road from the Ferry to Captain Mac-* Kenzie's, with the exception of a few narrow swamps, and the very bad ford at the Wairuna, the bottom of which is composed of soft mud? and the banks are very steep. " Captain MacKenzie's will also be a centre of traffic in consequence of being close to one of the Invercargill roads, and as there is a direct road "only accessible to persons on foot," from here to tiiis place, via Mount Tuponnka. " Popotuna will likewise be a central place, as the best route from the Tuapeka and the Waitahuna Diggings, will be bj r Air. Archibald's station on the Molyneux, provided that a ferry would be established there to cross drays,~&c.; there is a good ford at. the Pomahaka, which is on the same route, and about three miles beyond the Molyneux ; this is a good and level route, as there is a very good leading spur on each side of the rivers, and running the entire way. The distance is about thirty miles. "In conclusion, I beg to inform you ,that Popotuna is about half way between the Molyneux Ferry and Captain MacKenzie's station, the two latter places being distant from each other about forty-five miles. v I further beg to inform you that I would have forwarded this report by coach to-day, but that I lost my way between here and Mr. Archibald's, and in consequence of which I only arrived here at 12 o'clock last ni^ht. " 1 have the honor to be, Sir, "' Your obedient Servant, W. N. M-mivTON, S. Inspector of Police. RESIDENT MAGISTRATES* COURT. (Before J. 11. Harris, Esq., 11. M.) Saturdday, Nov. 19. //. Townsendi George Chamberlain, George B. W00d.% Gilbert Davidson, and J. Anderson, were each fined 2()s, or 48 hours imprisonment, for being drunk. George Cuth* bert was brought up on a warrant from Victoria, charged with having left his wife and four children without any visnhle means of stibsi*tance. In defence, he urged that his wife knew and consented to his coming away, and he had left them all the money he possessed. His wife was si very passionate woman, and she had probably laid the information in a fit of rage, and she wouU be sorry for it afterwards. He had got a very good situation in Dunedin, and in about three weeks he would be in a position to send for his family. The case was adjourned until Wednesday, in order to give the Magistrate time to consider what should be done under the circumstances.