THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 240, 26 September 1862, Page 6

THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS.

We publish the following information concerning the gold fields for the benefit of new1' -arrivals: — _ "• •,' . The principal gold fields of Otago are those, at Tuapeka, Waitahuna, Waipori, Wooished Creek, Mount Higblay, the newly discovered Dunstan and Nokomai . Diggings, und «2veral minor fields, as Coal Creek, Lindis, - the Dunstan River, Shag River, and Moeraki Beach! ' ■ - Tuapeka, although not the oldest, is the best known and most extensively worked gold field. It comprises a large extent of probably auiiferous country, hut 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 srullies. 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 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 five to forty feet, rarely deeper. At Wetherstone's a large portion of the ground remains quite untouched, all attempts to bot- ' torn having beeu 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 \ o worked. Sluicing is generally adopted, 'the supply of 1 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 hills are the favorite,sites, but along the Tuapeka, hiil workings have been resorted to with very great success, i Wood is scarce in the immediate vicinity of the diggings. At the heads of the guMies there are patches of scrub for firewood,, and near the confluence of the Tuapeka with the Clutha, there is timber available for slabbing, &c- ~. ' "'' ""."■• '-": \:-"-,.. :':■:' :-a-\. 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 disco- ... , vered. ■:■■■ -■• •; .; '[■ •■:- .■■ ■' ■ ■ ■ ■ The route to Tuapeka from Dunedin is by the Main. South Road, cia East Taieri and Lake Waihola to Tokomairiro, thence by the Wooished and Waitahuna. Distance, 70 ■miles by the travelled road ; but from Cameron's Hotel, on Tokoraairiro Plains, there is a short cut over the ranges by the Wooished 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 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. . V : O-: The route from Dunedin is that by the main South Road to Tokomairiro—thence by the short road already referred to through the Wooished. - Distance by dray-road over Mount Stuart, 59 miles— via Wooished and the ranges, 50 .miles. Present population, 1,250. The Wooished 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 ha 3 been opened up. Some of the auriferous lands in this locality are private troperty, 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 lor mining purposes, on condition of surface being made good. There is also a large extent of Crown lands available for the prospector, and parties are known to be work■itj ing 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 Wooished, 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 conveyance. Situated nigher up in the spurs of the Laramerlaw mountains, the 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 " J., 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. vThe route from Dunedin is by West Taieri "-' and the Maungatua ranges. Distance, forty miles. Not far from the Waipori river to the east- ( ward ia the Lee stream, hitherto neglected,' • except by a few straggling parties, but on the bank* 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. mam workings are at Timbrel's Gully, and at Deep Dell and Filly Burn—tributaries of the Taieri River, but several parties of turners are' scattered over the surrounding country* in every direction. The population of this field has never been large— not mare "than 250" or •300 miners—at any one time, having been located upon it, and aY present *he number is reduced to a minimum" :' a" few scores.'; When it. waa disco-; vered, in June last, the inclemency, of the •'weather tended to prevent the rush whichotherwise would,, in all probability, have', • occurred. The diggings are situated at'a con-;

siderable elevation-above the sea level, audareconsequently, subject- to heavy falls of snow during.the winter.- There is sufficient timber near Timbrel's for moderate use, and "scrub, for firewood is found on'the""margins' of the streams, aud in the holloiys of the ranges. Lignite is, as usual, procurable in the flats, and the neighboring mosses yield good peat. v\ ater is plentiful; and sluicing is in consequence the favorite mode of mining. Although the"MountJHighlay. field has been so scantily prospected, the existence of auriferous deposits^over a very large area, 1 has been ascertained beyond a doubt. There is no escort thence, but the quantities of golJ brought down-by private hand .are very "considerable, when the spnrsenesa of the population is taken, into account. > The gold at Timbrel's is rough and heavy, greatly, resembling tiie Waipori gold. That from Deep Deli is finer, and more waterworn. A quartz reef, in the stone of which fine gold is apparent, was discovered at Mount Highlay, <»nd 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 I>unedin,by way of Blueskin ; but it is exceedingly bleak, rugged, and diflicull, and impeded by dangerous 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'g Gully is on Hamilton and Wayne's station, about seven miles from Ilighlay. Gold in fair quantities has been obtained' there. Several of the creeks at the head of the Waikouaiti River, and the branches of the Shag lliyer, are also known to be auriferous ; but so few are the miners in the locality that this promising field may be said to be as yet 'untried, and consequently undeveloped. Coal Creek, about twenty miles above Mount Ilighlay in a northerly direction, is one of, the head branches of the Shag River. Sluicing operations are.being conducted in 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 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 l mutton are, of course, to be obtained everywhere. • ■The Liudis was the earliest discovered, and is oue of the least-worked of the Otago gold fiehis.: Shortly after it was first ruslfed; the more brilliant attractions of Uabrid'a 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 still at vvorkthere, and the locality presents all the appearance of a large and rich gold field. The, Lindis diggings are on the run of Mr. M'Leah (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 on'the ranges till the summer i 3 far advanced. The 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 the^lauuherikia River, past Mount St. Bathan's to the Lindis Pass. Distance about 160 miles. Another road is by way of Oamaru, and a third over the Lammermoor Ranges and Rough-ridge. But the first-named route is considered the best; as it is also thetfoad to Highlay, Coal Creek, and the Dunstan gold fields and consequently more travelled than any other./-- ; '; ■.■ ; - ■'■■■-■■--.: ... • ■;. , Dunstan River is another, partially-deve-loped field. A few miners have been digging there for some months; 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 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,1 as far as Shag Point, appears to consist of similar deposits. Gold, at the rate of 100 ounces to the too, 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 theCarrick ranges on the opposite bank of the river, which has here worn a passage through the solid rocks. The workings a°e, 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 consisting of made hills and terraces of loo9e 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 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 JReilly 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. 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, and 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 road is represented as being impassible for drays, and in places difficult for -pack-horses, i > Another trajek, to the ea tward of the' ir ,is somewhat more practicable, batt j - - intersected by the Teviot

stream, wliich,vwhen BwoHen? "presentsr a-for-* ihidable obstacle to further progress.! - Another route is. from Dunedin k by- West Taieri, over the Lanirnermoor -ranges- to the valley of the' Ha miherikU;'distance, aboiit 110 miles. " After leaving West Taieri there are no hotels or accommodation houses on the ri»ad, but the track passes several, stations, a list of which, together with their relative distances we subjoin :—llealey'g station» distant from West Taieri 10 miles; thence to Thompson's, 12 miles; thence 10-Valpy'e, 05 miles'; thence to'Murisou's, 5 miles ; thence to New* ton's, 14 miles; thence to Lowe's, 12 miles ; thence to the Clutha, 5 miles. That portion of the road which is situated between Thompson's.&ndj Valpy's, winds, across the elevated region of the Lammermoors, 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 ol snow. Beyond this the road b fair and ea3y. A. third route h 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 Tuapekatothe ftlanuherikia 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 lokomairiro lliver 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, ita source in the ranges which divide Lake .Wanaka from Lake Hawea. Iv many a sheltered nook of the mountains, and on the unfrequented portions of the river, prospectors are snugly nestled, secretly gathering the golden spoils which nature has so abundantly scattered over the province. - .; The Notomai diggings are the last dis-; covered. The only gully at present opened i on.fMpa Creek—a branch of the Nokomai River—having its source under the remarkable conical hill known a$ the Steeple, in the Rocky Mountains. This gully—named Victoria gully by the prospectors—is about four miles in length, aud 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 s"feet» and the gold is large, heavy, and waterworri. There is plenty of scrub in the gully, and about 20 acres of timber, principally birch, at the head. The present population is probably about 1000. . The route to the \Nokomai from Dunedin is via the main South Road and Tokomairiro to theMolyneux Ferry—thence to the Long Ford on the Mataura river, which is there crossed. The road then continues along the west bank of the river to within three miles of jMclvcllur's station, where the Mataura is 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 ar,e ( the main points on the line of route, with their relative distances :— ...-Molvneux-Ferry, distant from Dunedin 58 miles; thence to the Waiwera, 16 mites; thence to the Waruna, 12 mile* ;' thence to the Waipahi 6 miles; thence to the Waikaka, 15 miles; thence to the Mataura 6 miles; thence to McKellar's,32miles; thence to the Nokomai, 25 miles. There is an inn at the Molyneux Ferry, and an accommodation house at the Waiwera. Between the Wainahi and the Waikaka, the station of Roberts and Begree is passed, and on the Nokomai itself is Mr. Cameron's station. Stores are riot 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. Tte road by the Long Ford is passable for drays. There is also another track—practicable otily for packhorses—which diverges from the first track about half-way between Roberta's station and the Waikaka, crossing that river near the east branch, passing between Wakaiaand Pyramid Hills, then crossing 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-field. It is, however, little used, running over snow-covered mountains, and it will he^ safer for those who desire to cross from either locality n> take the longer but more praticable route indicated above. For the information of those ignorant of our Gold-fields regulations, we subjoin so much of them as will serve as a general guide, and prevent a new arrival from committing any serious breach of the law. ' Every person residing on a gold-field and engaged in mining for gold, shall take out a miner's right; such miner's right to be carried on the person, and produced for inspection when demanded by the Warden or other officer, or by any person duly authorised in that behalf in writing by the Warden. Claims shall be classified thus :— 1. Ordinary claims, i.e., alluvial claim.!s worked without the aid of sluices or 'machines- \ 2. Sluice and machinei claims, t <?., alluvial claims worked with the aid of sluices _r; or puddling machines. 3. Wet claims,■"i.e., alluvial claims in flooded ground- > which cannot be wrought without the aid of appliances ( . for drainage. 4. Creek or river claima, t-e., alluvial claims i '- in the beds of creeks or rivers. 5. Quartz claims. . 1. Ordinary claims shall not exceed 30 feet By 30 feet for each person, unless the depth of sinking exceeds 50 feet, in which case such claim may be extended to 35 feet by 35 feet. i 2.; For sluice.and machine claims in worked and abandoned ground, the Warden may grant an extent of ground not exceeding treble the above area. ' ' > ' 3. Wet claims shall not exceed 40 feet by 40, feet for each person. /:.'% Creek or river claims shall, not exceed 50 feet for each man employed thereon, nor be more than 300 feet in length, in the whole, to be measured in the directiou of the course of the stream, by a v?idth not exceeding the boundaries of the bed of the creek or rivtr, as defined by the Warden or other officer duly authorised in that behalf. 5. Quartz claims shall not exceed 30 feet in length along the course of the lode or vein, by a width not exceeding 100 feet upon each side of the course, for each person; and no claim shall exceed in the whole 120 feet in length by 200 feet in width. The,number of single claims that may be -occupied in one block by any party of miners shall be as follows:— 1. In ordinary claims, not more than four single claims. 2. In sluice and machine claims, not more than fire single claims. 3. In wet claims, not more than six single claims. .

~« Claims shall^femark'ed-by pegi standing at least two feet above the surface, of the group d, or. by .trend es at * each corner thereof;, and such pegs or,trenches shall be maintained during the-occupancy of the ground: Pro 1" vided, that, when any corner cVmot be so marked on account of the nature of the ground,' such,peg or trench' may be placed at the nearest practicable point. • . .. No person shall be deemed to possess a valid title to any claim, unless the same shall be fairly worked during the entire period of occupancy; and any claim uuworked beyond the space of twenty-four hours, shall be deemed to be forfeited, unless sufficient reason, such as sickness or "other urgent cause; shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Warden. ... Any person discovering new gold workings, and being desirous of obtaining an increased area thereon, must immediately report such discovery, with full particulars thereof; to the W»rden or other proper authority. Discoverers of new gold workings, distant not less than half a mile from existing work* ings, may have allotted to .them an extent of ground not exceeding treble the area oi an ordinary claim; and the discoverers of new gold workings distant not less than ten milei from existing working*!, may have allotted them an extent of ground not exceeding quadruple the area of an ordinary claim: Provided, that the increased grant shall. not be given to more than four persons composing any party. The discoverer of an auriferous quartz reef may have allotted •to him an area not exceeding in. the whole 200 feet in length, measured along the course of the lode or vein, by a width of 100 feet upon each side of the course. Superiority of right to a supply of water shall be determine 1 by priority of occupation, the earlier occupant having the superior right. In ail cases, when the occupier, claims, under a certificate, or other authority, in writing, granted by a Warden or. Commissioner, occupation shall be taken to have commenced at the date of such certificate or authority. .-._ ..■•■■ ; ■ The cutting and formation of races mutt be commeuced within one calendar month from the date of registration, and the occupiers shall continue cutting and forming the same until the work is completed, otherwise any superiority of right to which they may be entitled by virtue of such registration shall be deemed to be forfeited. If any race is abandoned for the space of one calendar month, at a time when water was available lor it, occupation of the right shall be deemed to have commenced at the last reoccupation thereof. .■'-'■■.', All right to any race shall become forfeited, if abandoned for the space of one calendar month, unless in cases of sickness or unavoidable absence, or in consequence of failure of water; but it shall be lawful for the Warden, in .his discretion, upon sufficient cause being shown, to suspend the operation of this regulation for a further period of one month, and such suspension shall be given in writing to the occupiers. All races that may hereafter be cut, shall have a point specified at which they shall be taken from the creek or river. In races already cut, the pint shall be taken to, be the spot from which the race now heads. No-person shall shift or alter the bead of any race -without the written sanction of the Warden, nor to the prejudice of any existing right The alteration or extension of a race at any time shali not in any way affect any right or privilege attached to such race; and the holders thereof shall, during such alteration or extension, be deemed to be in occupation of all the rights and privileges attached to such race. .•' \. ~,