THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 237, 23 September 1862, Page 6

THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS.

■We publish the following inforhiation concerning the gold fields for the benefit of new arrivals:-1 — , ;. The principalgold fields of Otago are those at Tuapeka, Waitahuna] Waipori, Woolshed Creek, Mount Highlay,Vthe. newly discovered Dunstan and JSTokomai Diggings, nnd several minor fields, as Coal Creek, Lindis, the Dunstan River, Shag Riv«y and Moeraki Beach..- '' ;. -' •• .: ■.:".'; . .'' ;/,.-'. : ll'-; Tuapeka, although not the oldest, is the best known and most extensively worked gold field. It comprises a large extent of probably autiferons country, but hitherto mining operations have mainly been limited to Gabriel's Gully, the ecene of Mr. Read's early discoveries, Wetherstone's and Monroe's Gullies, and the banks of the Tuapeka River. From these localities alone, 332,476 ounces of gold have already been transmitted by escort to Dunedin. Scattered parties of prospectors are found in the adjacent gullies, where they are quietly and steadily working. If surface indications are to be trusted, there are hundreds of these gullies which present the appearance of being equally rich with those origin ally opened, and no doubt inanj* parties are now making their piles in the recesses of the surrounding ranges, unheard of and unnoted. ; The workings at Tuapeka are shallow, averaging from five to forty feet, rarely deeper. At Wetherstone's a large portion of the ground remains quite untouched, all'attempts to bottom having been defeated by the influx of water. As the Government have, however, consented to form a storm water channel for the purpose of draining the flat, we may expect that this part of the field will shortly be rendered accessible to the miners. The washdirt is gravelly, and therefore easily worked. Sluicing is generally adopted. The supply of water is most ample, and races, some of them many miles in extent, have been formed for this purpose. The gullies and the points of the hiih are the favorite sites, but along the Tuapeka, hill workings have been resorted to with very great success. Wood is scarce in the immediate vicinity of the diggings. At the heads of the gullies there are patches of scrub for firewood, and near the confluence of the Tuapeka with the Clutha, there is timber available for slabbing, &c. Lignite for fuel is abundant, and, as it is found near the surface, is in great request. At Wetherstone's and near the Junction township, at the foot of Gabriel's Gully, some large and valuable deposits have been discovered. The route to Tnapeka from Dunedin is by the Main South Road, via East Taieri and Lake Waihola to Tokomairiro, thence by,the Woolshed and Waitahuna. Distance, 70 miles by the travelled road ; but from Cameron's Hotel, on Tokomairiro Plains, there is a short cut over the ranges by the Woolshed diggings, which reduces the distance to sixty miles- The population (reduced by the last rush to the Dunstan) is now estimated at 1,700 persons, of whom only 700 are minejpg. Waitahuna.—This field is on the river of that name. At Waitahuna only a few gullies have yet been worked; from these the gross yield of gold to present date, as per escort returns, has been 78,640 ounces. All around is what are termed likely looking hills and gullies. The workings are similar to those at Gabriel's and Watherstone's, already described. Timber is scarce, but there is plenty of lignite in the neighborhood. The route from Dunedin is that by the main South Road to Tokomairiro—thence by the short road already referred to through the Woolshed. Distance by dray-road over Mount Stuart, 59 miles— via Woolshed and the ranges,. 50 miles. Present population, 1,250. The Woolshed is a comparatively new field, the workings having gradually extended down the creek (where they were first discovered) to the south branch of the Tokomairiro River, where some very rich ground has been opened up. Some of the auriferous lands in this locality are private property, but in every instance the proprietors have dealt with the miners in a fair and liberal spirit: and a Government road, upon which a payable lead was recently struck, has been thrown open for mining purposes, on condition of surface damages being made good. There is also a large extent of Crown lands available for the prospector, and parties are known to be working with success in the neighbourhood. A quartz reef was some time since discovered in Canada bush on the adjacent plains, between the branches of the Tokomairiro, but we have no further information on this subject. Since May last an escort has been dis-° patched from the Woolshed, the amount of gold sent down by which, presents a total of 3,883 ounces. The population is estimated at about 450 persons. Distance from Dunedin by East Taieri and Tokomairiro, 45 miles. The Waipori field is on the Waipori river and its branches. The workings consist principally of creek workings and hill sluicing. The population—never very large—is now estimated at 220. Since the first escort in February last, 6,155 ounces have been sent ■ down by that mode of conversance. Situated higher up in the spurs of the Lamraerlaw mountains, the climate is more severe tfian that of Tuapeka and Waitahuna, but Waipori presents an excellent and comparatively untried field for operations during the summer months. Growing timber is yery scarce in the vicinity, but beds of large trees'in a state of good preservation exist immediately under the soil, and these are stated to be available not only for fuel, but for slabbing and other purposes. The gold found at Waipori is .coarse and nuggetty, and frequently intermixed with fragments! of quartz. . Near the township-,a reef showing promising auriferous indications, -was lately discovered by some quartz-miners from Bendigo, who purpose erecting machinery to fairly \ test its value. '''. -. . . .;-'V..;.•■;''" •- - The route from Dunedin is by West Taieri and -the Maungatua ranges. -Distance, forty I miles. " ' .-"- l: ■■' '*.' '■, -i;'V~ -■ /■-' •.•_;■• :< Not far from the Waipori river to the'eastward is the Lee stream, hitHerto neglected, except by a, fevv; straggling parties, but on i the banks of which gold in payable quantities ■was long.since:discovered,; ■ -j. -\ ',„.-.,-,• ■.; .: h ..■- All these fields continue to yield remunerative employment to the miners engaged upon' them," and there is ample "room for. many more;". '•; -._,.'., v,-" ,;;;;r v■:•.;■".,■',■ '~:'-,:'.' r : The Mount Highlay diggkga^are situated in the galley of,the: Upper Taieri,-and the main workings are,at Timbrel's Sully, and at: Deep Dell and Tilly Bjurn^tr^ijjt&nesi of the Taieri RiyerJ=bu£•^vgr^;pajfti^|o^piijiierVAre'; scattered over the' Surrounding country m everydirectionT The population of (this field has never been large—not more than 250'0r 300 miners—at... anys: one::, time,^. havingbeen located upon nit,- and at the number is reduced, to , s a ; .:; minimum' of" V -scores. } WKenj it,' was". discoA, vered, in; t Jane^'JUst,"the-i incjemencyiofstnei weather tended to prevent the rush which otherwise would, in all probability, have occurred. The diggings are situated at a con-

siderable elevation above the sea level, and are consequently subject to heavy falls of snow : durui^the vvinter. ;: There ij. sufficient timber near Timbrel's.-for,.moderate, use and scrub, for firewood is found on the margins of the streams, and in the hollows of the ranges. Lignite is, as usual, procurable in the fists, and the neighboring mosses yield good peat. Water is plentiful; and sluicing is in consequence the favorite mode of mining. Although the" Mount - Highlay field has been so scantily prospected, the- existence of auriferous deposits, over a very large area, has been ascertained beyond a doubt. There is no escort thence, but the quantities of gold brought down by private hand are very considerable, when the sparseness of the population is taken into account. The gold at Timbrel's is rough and heavy, greatly resembling the Waipori gold. That from Deep Dell is finer, and more water worn. A quartz reef, in the stone of which fine gold is apparent, was discovered at Mount Highlay, and a prospecting claim granted to the discoverer, but no steps have yet been taken to test its value. The route generally preferred is by steamboat to Waikouaiti; thence by Mount Pleasant, the Shag River, and Hamilton's and Wayne's station (No. 109) to Saxton's River (No. 210), on which the diggings are situated. The distance from Waikouaiti by this route is estimated at 55 miles. There is another road overland from Dunedin, by way of Blueskin;! but it is exceedingly bleak, rugged, and difficult, and impeded by dangerous morasses, both on the margins of the numerous intersecting streams, and on the topi of the ranges. Intending visitors to this field will therefore do well to take the sea-route. Murphy's Gully is on Hamilton and Wayne's station, about seven miles from Highlay. Gold in fair quantities has been obtained there. Several of the creeks at the head of the Waikouaiti River, and the branches of the i Shng River, arc also known to be auriferous; but so few are the miners iv the locality that this promising field may be said to be as yet untried, and consequently undeveloped. Coal Creek, about twenty miles above Mount. Highlay in a northerly direction, is one of the head branched of the Shag River. Sluicing operations are being conducted iv the bed, and on the banks of the creek with remunerative results. The mining population is very small, but will probably increase during the summer months. Lignite of a very superior description crops out on the banks. There are no hotels, and but little accom- I modation, on this road at present. Travellers i have mainly to rely on the stations along the line for provisions." It is therefore advisable to carry as large a supply as possible of flour, tea, and sugar. Beef and mutton are, of course, to be obtained everywhere. The Lindis was the earliest discovered, and is one of the least-worked of the Otago gold fields. Shortly after it was first rushed, the more brilliant attractions of trabriel's Gully drew off the few miners—about 300—then on the field, and there has not yet been any reaction in its. favor. A'few men are stiil at work there, and the locality presents all the appearance of a large and rich gold field. The Lindis diggings are on the run of Mr. M'Lean (No. 216). They are confined to one or two small gullies, near"the Lindis Pass on the head-waters of the river of that name. The gold is heavy and nuggetty. The climate is somewhat inclement in winter,, and snow lies oh. the ranges till the summer is far advanced. T^he, gullies being sheltered enjoy a milder atmosphere. There is a large and well-supplied stream in the vicinity. The usual road to the Lindis gold field is via Waikouaiti, thence by Shag Valley and the Upper Taieri Plains, across the ranges to the head of the Manuherikia Valley ; thence, following up the main-branch of tbe.Manuherikia River, past Mount St. Bathan's to the Lindis Pass. Distance about 160 miles. Another road is by way of Qamaru, and a third over the Lammermoor Ranges and Rough-ridge. But the first-named route is considered the best, as it is also the road to Highlay, Coal Creek, and the Dunstan gold fields— and consequently more travelled than any other.

Duustan River is another partially-deve-loped field. A few miners have been digging there for some mouths, with what measure of success is best known to themselves. The precise locality of their operations is at the confluence of the Dunstan with the Manuherilcia River. At Moeraki Beach, gold of a very fine description is found in the sands of the seashore, mixed with iron-sand and fragmentary gems. Washing operations are now carried on opposite the town of Hampden, between the Big Kauri and Little Kauri streams. But the entire beach, as far as Shag Point, appears to consist of similar deposits. Gold, at the rate of 100 ounces to the ton, has been obtained from the clean-washed sand, and it would seem that if science and capital were brought to bear, a magnificent yield would be the result. • The Dunstan gold-field is situated on the Clutha River, at the 6outh-western base of the Dnnstan mountains, and includes the spurs of the Carrick ranges on the opposite bank of the river, which has here worn a passage through the solid rocks. The workings are, ;at present, confined to the bars of the river, jwhere the gold is found intermixed with magnetic iron-sand. The adjoining country is of an auriferious description, consisting of made hills and terraces of loose sihingly or gravelly soil, which requires timber to work it. There are about 3,000 miners on the field, and these j appear to be doing well. The first escort will [afford a criterion of the value of the field, some small quantities of gold have reached town already, by private hand. There are | patches of bush along the river, but the only ;timber available for mining purposes is found jnear the lakes at the head Of the Clutha, where there is an extensive forest of black birch. Coal, or rather lignite, abounds; there is a fine seam of good quality cropping out i ; 'on the east banks of the river near the junction jof the Mantiherikia. j The climate of this district is described aa mild, and dry in' the winter,.although snow jcovera the; surrounding mountains. Hartley iand Reilly state that whilst they were reaping 'their golden harvest, from May to August, [rain rarely fell, and on three days only were jthey prevented from working by stormy weaitheiv. In winter also the.waters of the Clutha jare at .their lowest, and a larger extent of the ; rocky bed, in the ledges of which the gold is i retained, is within reach of the miners. I -The gold fronV this field is very fine, and iscaly^ but of very excellent quality. ! Punts and boats have been placed on the i river by private enterprise, so that miners and Ijtheir drays maycrosa at various points. \> ■ Stores of aU kinds are becoming more easily [obtainable on the ground than they were at jthe first rush some weeks since. Cartage, {however, still rules; high, and miners are re[commended to take ;a supply with them. \ .' There are, several routes to the Dunstan. jOne is »ia Tiiapeka, andthehce by Gardiner's, I Miller's, and Baldwin's stations ;< and from the ilatter by a well-defined track over the Knobby (Ranges' tb; the junction of the Manuherikia Mth/ theijplyneux^ Distancei from Tuapeka, .^O'jjmUeg^Q^hi^roadaa represented! as being lmpassibleiforiaraya, fend? in places difficult for-pack-horses. Another tr^ck, to the eastward of the former, is somewhat more practicable, I but the route ia intersected by the Teviot j

stream, which, when swollen, presents a f irmidable obstacle to further rti"Oi»r*»s3. • Another route i< from Dtinedin by We« Taieri, over the Liimn temodc rinses to the valley of, the Manuherikta,; distance, about 110 miles. After leaving AVest Taieri there are no hotels or accommodation houses on tin* ri>ad, but the track pusses several stations, a list of which, together-with their relative distances we subjoin '.-—Healey'a station, distant from West Taieri 10 miles! then2e to Thompson's, 12 miles; thence to Valpy's, 35 miles; thence to .-Hudson's, 5 miles ; thence to Newton's, 14 miles; thence to Lowe's, 12 miles ; thence to the Clutha, 6 miles. That portion of the road which is situated between Thompson's and Valpy's, winds across the elevated region of the Lammerraoors, upwards of 3,000 feet above the level of the sea. It ia consequently bleak, and at certain seasons not without danger to persons unacquainted with the country, being liable to heavy falls of snow. Beyond this the road ia fair and easy. A third route is via Waikouaiti and Shag Valley, "distance from Waikouaiti about 120 miles. This road is much in favour with pedestrians, as it passes through a series of valleys, where the climate is proportionably milder. A party of Government surveyors are now employed, iv finding or constructing a better and more direct road—a work which it is to be hoped will be effected before the approach of next winter. From Tuapekatothe Manuherikia Junction parties of miners have set in, at various parts of the route, and just below the junction the Government prospecting party have secured a prospecting claim in what they have ascertained to be a payable gold field. There is now a continuous chain of diggings from the Tokomairiro River to the uppt-r Clutha Valley, for many of the miners have penetrated beyond the junction of the Kawarau into the untried but richly promising district beyond. Gold has been found as far north as Quartz Creek, a tributary of the Clutha, having its source in the ranges which divide Lake Wanaka from Lake Hawea. In many a sheltered nook of the mountains, and on the unfrequented portions of the riv^r, prospectors are snugly nestled, secretly gathering the golden spoils which nature has so abundantly scattered over the province. The Nokomai diggings are the last discovered. The only gully a* present opened i on Moa Creek—-a branch of the Nokomai River—having its source under the remarkable conical hill known as the Steeple, in the Rocky Mountains. This gully—named Victoria gully by the prospectors—is about four mile 3in length, and in breadth generally about a quarter of a mile, but contracting in some places to 20 or 30 yards. The depth of sinking is from 2 to 5 feet, and the gold is l:irge, heavy, and waterworn. There is plenty of scrub in the gully, and about 20 acres of timber, principally birch, at the head. The present population i* probably about IGOO. The route to the Xokomai from Dunedin is via the main South Koad and Tokomairiro to -theMolyneux Ferry—thence to the Long Ford on the Mataura river, which is there crowed. The road then continues along the west bank of the river to within three miles of McKcllar's station, where the Mataura U again crossed, and the east bank is followed to the junction of the iSTokomai River. The distance from Dunedin is about 170 milea. The following are the main points on the line of route, with their relative distances:— Molyneux Ferry, distant from Dunedin ;">$ miles; thence to the Waiwera, 16 miles; thence to the Waruna, 12 miles ; thence to the Waipahi'G.miles; thence to the Waikaka, 15 miles; thence to the Mataura 6 miles; thence to McKcllar's, 32 miles ;* thence to the Nokomai, 25 miles. There is an inn at the Molyneux Ferry, and accommodation houses at the Waiwera and j the Mataura. Between the Waipahi and the Waikaka, the station of Roberts aud Begree is passed, and on the Nokomai itself i 3 Mr. McLean's station. Stores are not yet on the ground, in sufficient^ ; quantities to supply a large population, and miners are, therefore, strongly advised not to start for the Nokomai without provisions. I Tte road by the Long Ford h passable for I drays. There is also another track—pracI ticablc only for packhorses—-which diverges 1 from the first track about half-way between ! Roberta's station and the Waikaka, crossing j that river near the east branch, pissing between I Wakaia and Pyramid Hills, then crossiug the Wakaia river, and following the east bank of the Mataura. This road is about 15 or 20 miles shorter than the other. There is also a track about 25 miles in length, connecting Nokomai with the Dunstan gold«ncld. It is, however, little used, running over snow-covered mountains, and it will be safer for those who desire to cross from either locality to take the longer but more praticable route indicated above.