THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 238, 24 September 1862, Page 6

THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS

■We publish the following information concerning the gold fields for the benefit of new arrivals:— ■-..-. •.. ;'-., •:'.-■.-' '. . \ . : The principal gold fields of Otsigo are those at Tuapeka, Waitahuna, Waipori, Woolshed Creek, Mount Highlay. the newly discovered Duustan and Nokomai Diggings, nnd several minor fields, as Coal Creek, Lindi*, the Dunstan Kiver, Shag River, and Moeraki Beach. Tuapeka, although not the oldest, is the best known and most estensiyely worked gold field. It comprises a large extent of probably auuferous country, but hitherto mining operations have mainly been limited to Gabriel's Gully, the scene 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 arc hundreds of these gullies which -present the appearance of being equally rich with those originally opened, and no doubt many 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 live to forty feet, rarely deeper. At Wetherstone's a large portion of the ground remains tjuite 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 tins purpose. The gullies and the points of the hills 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 continence of the Tuapeka with the Clutha, there is timber available for slabbing, &c. c Lignite for fuel n 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 diecovered. Tiie route to Tuapeka from Dunedin is by the Main South Road, via East Taiert and Lake Waiholn to Tokomairiro, thence by the Woolshed anil 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) h now estimated at 1,700 persons, of whom only 700 are miners. , 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 Wetherstone'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 r.mges, 50 miles. Prc'sent 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, whore some very rich ground has been opened up. Some of the auriferous lands in this locality are private rsroperty, 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, ha 3 been thrown open lor 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 dispatched from the Woolshed, the amount of gold sent down by which, presents a total of 8,883 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 conveyance. Situated higher up in the spurs of the Lammerlaw mountains, tne climate is more severe than that of Tuapeka and Waitahuna, but Waipori presents an excellent and comparatively untried field for operations during the summer months. Growing timber is very 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. i 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. The route from Dunedin is by West Taieri and the Maungatua ranges. Distance, forty miles. Not far from the Waipori river to the eastward is the Lee stream, hitherto neglected, except by a few straggling parties,, but on the banks of which gold in payable quantities was long since discovered. All these fields continue to yield remunerative employment to the miners engaged upon them, and there is ample room for many more. The Mount Highlay diggings are situated in the valley of the Upper Taieri, and the main Workings are at Timbrel's Gully, and at Deep Dell and Filly Burn—tributaries of the Taieri River, but several parties of miners are scattered over the surrounding country in every direction. The population of this field has never been large—not m>re than 250 or 300 miners—at any one time, having been located upon it, and at present the number is reduced to a minimum of a few scores. When.it was discovered, •in June last, the, inclemency of the 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 enow during the winter. There is sufficient Umber 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 flats, and the, neighboring mosses yield good -peat. \\ ater 13 plentiful; and sluicing is in consequence the favorite mode of mining. _ " Although .the Mount Highlay field has been so scantily- prospected, the existence ot 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 waterworn. 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. I The distance from Waikouaiti by this route is estimated at 55 miles. There is another road overland from Dunedin, by way of Blueskinbut it is exceedingly bleak, rugged, and difficult, and impeded by dangerons morasses, both on the margins of the numerous intersecting streams, and on the tops of the ranges. Intending visitors to this field will therefore do" well to take the sea-route. Murphy's Gully won Hamilton and Wayne's station, about seven miles from Highlay. Gold in fair quantities has been obtained there. Several of the creeks at the bead of the Waikouaiti River, and the branches of the Shag River, are also known to be auriferous • but ao few are the miners in the locality that this promising field may be said to be as yet uutricd, and consequently undeveloped. Coal Creek, about twenty miles above Mount Highlay in a northerly direction, is one of the head branches of the Shag River. Sluicing operations are being conducted in the .bed, nudon 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 supe° rior description cropa out on the banks. There are no hotels, and but little accommodation, on this road at present. Travellers 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 tho least-worked of the OUi'o "old fields. Shortly alter it was first rushed, °the j more brilliant attractions of Gabriel's Gully drew off the few miners—about 300—then on I the field, and there ha 3 not yet bsen any re- i action in its favor. A few men are still at woik there, and the locality presents all the! appearance of a large and rich gold field. i The LindU 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, i The gold is heavy and nuggetty. The climate \ is somewhat inclement iv winter, and snow lies on the ranges till the summer is far advanced. The gullies being sheltered enjoy a milder atmosphere. There is a'large and well-supplied stream in tlie vicinity. The usual road to the Lindis gold field is via Waikouaiti, thence by Sha" Valley and the Upper Taieri Plains, acrosl the ranges to thu head of the Manuherikia Valley ; thence, following up the main-branch of the Manuherikia River, past Mount St. BathanV to the Lindis Pass. Distance about 160 miles Another road is by way of Oamaru, and a ' third over the Lainmermoor Ranges and Rough-ridge. Bat the first-named route is con- i sidered the best, a3 it is also the road to Hi"h- I lay, Coal Creek, and the Dunstan gold fields— ' and consequently more travelled than any other. . J Duustan River is another partially-deve-loped field. A few miners have been di^in* there for some months, with what measure o? success is best known to themselves. The precise locality of their operations is at the confluence of the Dunstau with the Manuherikia 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 south-western base of the Dunstan mountains, and includes the spurs of the Carrick range* on the opposite bank of the river, which has here worn a passage through the solid rocks. The workings afe, at present, confined to the bars of the°river| where the gold is found intermixed with magnetic iron-sand. The adjoining country is of an auriferious description, consisting of nude hills and terraces of iQose shingly or* gravelly soil, which requires timber to work it. There are about 3,000 miners on the field, and these 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 near 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 spam of good quality cropping out on the east banks of the river near the junction of the Manuherikia. The climate of this district is described as mild, and dry in the winter, although snow covers the surrounding mountains. Hartley and ileilly state that whilst they were reaping their golden harvest, from May to August* rain rarely fell, and on three days only were they prevented from working by stormy weather. In winter also the waters of the Clutha are at their lowest, and a larger extent of the rocky bed, in the ledges of which the gold is retained, is within reach of the miners. The gold from this field is very fine and scaly, but of very excellent quality. Punts and boats have been placed on the river by private enterprise, so that miners and their drays may cross at various points. i Stores of all kinds are becoming more easily obtainable on the ground than they were at the first rush some weeks since. Cartage however, still rules high, and miners are recommended to take a supply with them. There are several routes to the Dunstan One is via Tuapeka, and thence by Gardiner's' Miller's, arid Baldwin's stations; and from the latter by a well-defined track over the Knobby Ranges to the junction of the Manuherikia with the Molyneux. Distance from Tuapeka 70 miles. This Toad is represented as beinrr impassible for drays, and in places difficult for pack-horses. Another truck, to the eastward oftheti: ts somewhat more practicable but: : i intersected by the Teviot

stream, /which, -when swollen, presents a formidable obstacle to further.prdgress. -■ ; : Another route is from Dunedin by West Taieri, over the Lamraermbor ranges to the valley of the Manuherikia | distance, about 110 miles. After leaving West Taieri there are no hotels or accommodation houses on the rfiad, but the track passes several stations, a list of which, together with their relative distances we subjoin :;—llealey's station, distant from West Taieri 10.joules'; thence to .Thompson's, 12 miles; thence to .Valpy's, 35 ruiles; thence to Murisou's, 5 miles ; thence to Newton's, 14 miles; thence to Lowe's, 12 miles ; thence to the Clutha, 5 mile 3. That portion of the road which is situated between Thompson's and Valpy's, winds across the elevated | region of the Lamraermoors, upwards of 3,000 feet above the level of the sea. It is 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 is 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 in 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 Tuapeka to the 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 Hirer to the upper 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 Avhich 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 at present opened i on Moa Creek—a branch of the Nokomai Liver—having its source under the remarkaj ble conical hill known as the Steeple, in the | Rocicy Mountains. This gully—named Vic- | torn gully by the prospectors—is about four miles in 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 large, heavy, and waterworn. There is plenty i of scrub m the gully, and about 20 acres of timber, pnucipally birch, at the h*ad. The \ present population is probably about 1000 The route to the Nokomai from Dunedin is via the mam South Koad and Tokomairiro to the Molyneux Ferry—thence to the Lon<r tordon the Mataura river, which is there croised. The road then continues" alon^ the ! west bank of the river to within three "miles ! oi McKellar's station, where the Mataura is I again crossed, and the east bank is followed to [ the junction of the Nokomai River. The distance from Dunedin is about 170 miles. The ' following are the main points on the line of route, with their relative distances:— Molyneux Ferry, distant from Dunedin 58 miles; thence to the Waiwera, 16 miles - thence to the Waruna, 12 miles; thence to the Waipahi 6 miles; thence to the Waikaka, 25 miles; thence to the Mataura 6 milesthence to McKellar's, 32 miles; thence to the Nokomai, 25 miles. | There U an inn at the Molyneux Ferry, and accommodation houses at the Waiwera and the Mataura Between the Waipahi and the Waikaka, the station cf Roberts and Begree is passed, and on the Nokomai itself is 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 TLe road by the Long Ford is passable for ! drays. ihere is also another track—practicable only for packhorses—which diverges from the first track about half-way between Robertas station and the Waikaka, crossin* that river near the east branch, posing between ! \\ akaia and Pyramid Hills, then crossing the VI akaia river, and following the east bank of the Mataura. This road is about 15 or <>0 miles shorter than the other. There is also a track about 25 miles in len-th, connecting Nokomai with the Dunstan gold-fkld. 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.