THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 246, 3 October 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 Otago are those at Tuapeka, Waitahuna, Waipori, Woolshed Creek, Mount Highlay. the newly discovered Dunstan and Nokomai' Diggings, nnd several minor fields, as Coal Cree|:, Lindis, the ijynstan River, Shag River, and Moeraki Beach. ' ' f J:r -*■}

Tuapeka, although not the oldest, is the best known and most extensively worked gold field. It comprises a large extentof probably au iferous country, but hitherto miningojkrationshave mainly been limited to Gabriel's Gully, the scene of Mr. Read's early discoveries, Wetherstone's and Monroe's Gullies, and tlje banks of the Tuapeka River. From these localities alone. 33:2,4.76 ounces of gold have already been transmitted by escort to Dunedin. Scattered parties of prospectors are found in the adjacent cullies, where they are quietly and steadily working. If surface indications are 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 piics 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 r. mains quite untouched, all attempts to bottom having been defeated by the influx of water. As the Government have, however, consented ta 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 beeri formed for this purpose. The gullies and the points of the hills are the favorite sites, but along the Tuapeka, hill workings have bctn 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 rear the confluence of the Tuapeka with the .Hiitlm, there 13 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: Junctiou township, at the foot of Gabriel's Gully, some large and valuable deposits have been discovered.

The route to Tuapeka from Dunedin is by the Main South Road, oia East Taieri and L;ike<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 laiJt rush to the Dunstan) is now estimated at 1,700 persons, of whom only 700 are miners.

Waitahuna.—Thi-» 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 hilla 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 t -c short road already referred to through the Woolshed. ;

Distance by dray-road over Mount Stuart, 59 miles—waWoolshed and the ranges, 50 miles. Present population, 1,250. The Woolshtd is a comparatively new field, the workings having gradually extended down the creek (where they were first discovered) t!> 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 : an,d a Government road, upon which a payable lead was recently struck, has been thrown open lor mining purposes, on condition of surface damages being made good. There is ateo 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 ot 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. Tha 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 tlmt of Tunpeka and Waitahuna, but Waipori presents an excellent and comparatively untried field for operations during the summer months. Growing timber da very, scarce in the vicinity, but beds oi' large trees in.a state of good preservation exist immediately, under the soil, and tnese are stated to be available

not only for fuel, but-for slabbing and other purposes—The_.gold-found-;.at-. Waipori is course and nuggetty, and frequently inter-, mixed with fragments of qiiartz7. ". ' i, „.. N'.ar the township a reef showing promising auriferous indicati'ms,. was .lately discovered1 by 3orae qiiartz-min'eri'^Opi.'BendigQ,, who, puv. ode erecting.machinery .to fairly test its; Value. -..•';'.;•'■: ' ; *"; ■ = '■::'-:''- j'"' ' k')\ ! ■•'..' '?■ - ::. The route from;Dunedin is by West Taieri and 'ih'e'Maujigatiia-. r raiigea.''' forty miles "" * "'" ';;■•"■' :,'.7i {"".., Z"X ; _. Kot far. from the Waipori river (o the eastward is the Lee stream, hitherto;neglected, except by a few straggling but on the banks of which gold in payable quantitieswas long since discovered.-I'•■ ' •''■ .: ! ! i'j' ■' All these fields continue to yield remunera' tive euiclgyinent to the miners engaged upon them, and there is ampieyrp 0111 for many more."/ ";■-.;.;... '■•-/; •///'■•-/■ :ii i ' w' }>* z-:- -'" ■ The ; MouhtHighlay/digginga. are. situated in the valley of the; Upper ;Taieri r and--the main woi kings are'rat; Timbrel's jCJully^ and at Deep pell and.^U^.jgorji^tn^^jrie^'of^tl^f T^iei i liiver, but-severatparties of niinerg are scattered ' oyer*ithe/^utroiinding ■■, coputry . evt ry direction.c The population- of this field has never been large~n6t'inore 250 or

300;v "nrihei'g—at any^piie tiinf^ ha^ing^ ,be^n located upon^^j^and a^^JOreMnti Aueanumber is redJutcediUto av| piinimijm : s ...a few scoreisv^W^heß it v!*&f diaico*\ ,yere^iin"^utie^^^e lnclemepcy^^l^tbe^ •weather tended to prevent the rush which

otherwise woul<J, in all probability, have occurred. The diggings are situated at a considerable elevation above the seii level, and are consequently subject to heavy falls of snow during the winter. There is sufficient timber near TimbreL« 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. 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 "iare very considerable, when the sparseness of the population is taken iito account.

. s The gold at Timbrel's is rough and heavy, greatly resembling . the Waipori gold. That from Deep JDell 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 Wa}ne's station (No. 109) to'Saxton's River (No. 210), on which the diggings are situated. The distance from Waikouaiti by this route is estin ated at 55 miles. There is another road overland from Dunedin, by way of Blneskin; 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 top* of the ranges. Intending visitors to this field will therefore do well to take the sea-route.

Murphy's (Juily ison Hamilton and Wayne's station, about seven miles from Highiay. Gold in fair quantities has been obtained there. Several of the creeks at the head of tl>e .Waikouaiti River, and the branches of the Shag River, 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 Mouth liighlay in a northerly direction, is one of the head branches of the Shag River. Sluicing operations arc 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 durinji 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 mutton are, of course, to be obtained everywhere. The Lindis was the earliest discovered, and is one of the least-worked of the Orago gold fields. Shortly alter it was first rushed, the more brilliant attractions of Crabriel'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 still at work there, and the locality pre-ents 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 confi-.ed 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 is 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 Manuherikia 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 the road to Highlay, Coal Creek, and the Dunstan gold field's— and consequently 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, as far a3 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 he the resultThe Dunstan gold-field is situated on the Clutha River, at the south-western base of the Danstan 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& •where 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 shingly or gravelly soil, which requires timber to work it. There are about 3,000 miners on the field, and the«e 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 seam of good quality cropping out on the east banks of the river near the junction of the : Manuberikia.

The climate of this district is^described. as mild, and dry in the winter, although snow covers the surrounding mountains. Hartley and Reilly 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 theviwaters of the Clutha are; at their lowes^ and a larger extent of the rocky .bed, in ,the ledges of which the gold is retained,'is within reach of the miners.

I' 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. jush some .weeks '. since. ; Cartage, however still Tules high, and miners are recommended to takea; supply with theriu, ■There are^ several' routes to the: Duhstan. Onelis via Tuapeka^and thence by' Gardiner's, Miller's, and Baldwin's stations; and-from the -tetterby>well-desnedtrack over the Knobby Ranges tovtb^ ju^tfotf/pf'ihe'-'Mariuherikiai tp t a*jJ]s.ii 'I|lirft4;pad*;cis ? r^preisented as being1 .pjacesdifficultfor, -pacfchj^B'^MAnoj^er»track^ t<£lhe eirftwki'd [of the 'ol'r ~r i;iir isSnle^aif^^ Ibirt .1 inu^i^^'lhrTeTibi

stream, which, when swollen, presents a formidable obstacle to further progress Another route is from Dunedin hy West Taieri, over the Lamniermoor ranges to the valley of the Manuherikia; distance, about 110 miles. After leaving West Taieri there are no hotels or accommodation houses on the r ad, but the track passes several stations, a list of which, together with their relative distances we suhjphr:—Healey's station, distant from West Taieri 10miles; thence to Thompson's, 12 miles; thence to Valpy's, 35 miles; thence to Murison's, 5 miles ; thence to Newton'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 and Valpy's, winds across the elevated region of the Lainmermours, upwards of 3,000 feet above th level of the sea. It is consequently bUak, and at certain seasons not without danger to persons unacquainted with the country, being" .liable to heavy falls oi 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 proportionally milder. A party of Government surveyors are now emplo} ed 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 Tokonidiriro Kiver 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 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 abundan.ty 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 tke Steeple, in the Rocky Mountains. This gully—-named Victoria 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 h»rge, 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 U probably about 1000.

The route to the Nokomai from Dunedin is via the main South lioad and Tofcomairiro to the Molyneux Ferry—thence to the Lon-; Ford on the Mataura river, which is there crossed. The road then continues along the west bank of the river to within three miles ot Mcivellar's station, where the Mataura is again crossed, and the east hank is followed, to the junction of the Nokomai liiver. The distance from Dunedin is ahout 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, 15 miles ;_ thence to the Mataura 6 miles; thence to McKellar's, 32 miles ; thence to the Nokomai, 25 miles.

There is an inn at the Molyneux Ferry, and an accommodation house at the *Waiwera. Between the Waipahi and the Waikaka, the station of Roberts and Begree is passed, and on the 'Nokomai itself is Mr. Cameron'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.

The road by the Long Ford is passable for drays. There is also another track—practicable only 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 ■Wakaia and Pyramid Hiils, 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.

Tht-re is also a track about 25 miles in len-jth, connecting Nokomai with the Dunstan gold field. It is, however, little used, running over snow-covered mountains, and it will be safer for tho<e who desire to cro^s from either locality to take the longer but more praticabl; route indicated above.

For the information of those ignorant of our Gold-fields regulati'ns, 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* 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 claims worked without the aid of sluices or machines.

2. Sluice and machine claims, i*., alluvial claims worked with the aid of sluices 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 claims, i«-., alluvial claims 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. 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.' 4 Creek or river claims shall not exceed 50 feet for each man employed thereon, nor be more than 300 feet in Kngth, in the whole, to be measured in the direction of the course of the stream, by awidth not exceeding the boundaries of the bed of the creek or river, 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 I*2o 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 clamp. , 2.. In sluice and, machine claims, not more i -*i. -. $ an. > five > 8' c claims .''dV,lß''wei''Clumß,'iiot i more.fhaii six" single "* w tiaims """ ** ' * """

Claims shall be. marked by pegs standing at least two feet above the surface of the grourd. or by trend ea at each corner thereof; and such pegs or trenches shall be maintained during the occupancy of the ground: Provided, that when any corner cannot 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 clainf unworked beyond the space of twenty-four hours, shah bedeemed 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 imuiedi itely 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 workings, may have allotted to them an extent of ground not exceeding treble the area ol an ordinary claim; and the discoverers of new gold workings distant not less than ten tidies from existing workings, may have allotted them an extent of ground not exceeding quadruple the area of an ordinary claim : Provided, that the increased grant shall not he 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 len th, 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 all 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 mu«t be commenced within one calendar month from the date of registration, and the occupiers shall continue cutting and forming the same until rhe 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.

It' 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 point shall be taken to be the spot from which the race now heads No person shall shift or alter the head 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 shah 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.

V. Dams and Puddling Machines. I.— Duns and Puddling Machines. Any person intending to ibrm a dam, or to erect a puddling machine, shall give notice thereof in writing to the Warden, in the form hereinafter prescribed, and shall post and maintain for a period of seven clear day?, copies of s eh notice upon the intended site of such dam or machine, and at intervals not exceeding 100 yards along the course of any proposed sludge-drains connected therewith. And if no valid objection be entered within seven days from the posting and service of such notice, the Warden may grant a Certificate of Registration to the applicant. FOK3C OF NOTICE. (District snd date.) To the Warden at I "hereby give notice that I intend to (form a dam, or erect a puddling-machine, as the case may be) at ( * ). J (Signature and address in full of applicant)— ! • Here describe the locality, and in the case of a pu'ldling-machiue state the proposed course of the sludge drains. i\o person shall take possession of any claim, race, dam, machine, or any other right or privilege whatsoever (unless the same shall hjve been absolutely relinquished) without first obtaining the consent of the owners, or the authority of the Warden. TELE NEW RJLTK& OF POSTAGE. We publish for gon. ral information, the New Rate of Postage in force from and after April 1,1862 :— NE W ZK A L AN D. RATES OF POSTAGE CHARGEABLE ON LETTERS, NEWSPAPERS, AND BOOKPACKETS POSTED IN THE COLONY. LETTERS. —Inland Letters. Not exceeding h 0z... ... .. ... 2d. Exceeding \ oz.*, and not exceeding 1 oz. ... 4d. ~ loz., „ „ 2 ois. ... Bd. And soon, increasing fourpence for every additional ounce or fraction of an ounce. 2.—To me United Kingdom. :By Southampton or by direct ship— Not exceeding \ 0z... .. .. .. 6d. Exceeding A oz.. and not exceeding 1 oz. ... Is. „ loz., „ „ 2oz. ... 2s. And so on, increasing one shilling for every additional .ounce or fraction of an ounce. By Marseilles— ■ Not exceeding \ 0z... .. .. ... 9d. Kxceeding \ oz., and not exceeding & oz. ... Is. „ ioz., „ „ |oz. Is. 9d. »» ? °z-, >t „ loz. ... 2s. And so on, being an addition to the ordinary postage at the rate of threepence per quarter ounce. 3.- -To British Colonies and Foreign Coonteibs Not exceeding oz>v .. .. .. 6d. fcxceeding £ oz., and no tixcecdicg 1 oz. .. Is.. ~,.,>• 1 oz., „ ~ 2oz. ■ •-.. 2% And soon, increasing one shilling for every additional" ounce or fraction of an ounce. <RS* Except in the following-case's, where special rates are payable. ! ' 4.—.T0 the Continent of Europe via Trieste.' Not.'exceeding \bz.. .... Is. 6d. Exceeding oz., and not exceeding loz. .. 3s. :., 1 oz., „ ■' v.;» 2 oz. .. 6s. Andsb'on; increasing three shillings for every additional ounce or fraction of an ounce. " : •■•'; 5. —To Syria And Tcrket. .;■. Letters iwili be forwarded via Alexandria and Jaffa unless marked .for .transmission: tv'fl;.the United Kingdom), and will be charged as follows :— .. Nptexcefcding £ 0z.,;... -. ... lid Exceeding $ oz.. and not exceeding 1 oz. ' " Is. lOd And so on^ increasing One shilling and tenpence for every.additional.ounce or fraction o an ounce." ' 6 -i_T<, GillNA AND THE EASTERN^ARCHIPELAGO/ Letters addressed to Hongkong, Periang, Singapore, Or any part.of China or Japan', the Phillipine Islands; fava, Sumetra,, Borneo, Labuan,. the. Moluccas, and Siam, are chargeable as follo-ws:— Not exceeding $ oz. .. .. .. ~ .. 1 Exceeding .} oz. and not exceeding 1 oz. .. 2s An.l soon, increasing two shilling for every addiional ounce or fraction, of an ounce. 7. -To Naval Officers ..on Foreign Stations. Letters addressed to Officers serving on board any Her Majestyla ships on a foreign station,<'u*/iett sent through .'the (Initid- Kingdom, are chargeable 'as follows:—' ■ <>- ''- - '.■.,,'.'' No exceedm i0z....," - ;.. ... • "... Ab. Exceeding i oz., and not exceeding 1 oz. [ i ,-,.-. -,2s,' .■.:.£..£ ,\ot.,i<.\ m a.z.-i n .-2 0a.,''.;_...,, 45., And so on, increasing two shiliings.for^evjipy-addi. ooa«f» or ira^ios of m fUN.v'" " *"" "''

B.—To Naval Seamen and Soldikrs. Letters sent to or by Seamen and «3oldiers in Her Majesty's service wlll\be transmitted, within theColony, and between the Colony and anyaPost Office in the British dominions, at a charge ot One Penny, provided that the following regulations are "observed :— • .".-,.". • 1. Each letter must not exceed half an ounce in ■■"..•; weight.1. '. ". , ■"■ \ ;;; •/':','.;■ ; , ..- 2. It must be superscribed with the name of the writer, his description or clasß in the vessel: or regiment^ and signed by the officer at the me in command • j 3. The postage must be pre-paid. • j Every letter of this description, posted or re- j ceived in this Colony not in accordance with the foregoing regulation, will be treated as an ordinary etter " " , ' ■:;■■*-- ■■■ 9.—Free' Letters. , l ''■'■ _ Letters on the public service. of Her Majesty's Naval and Military Forces, are exempted! from the payment of postage, if bearing the words •" On Her Majesty s Service, 17 and; the signature of the Officer in command of the force on the service of which the letter js. despatched.. But such .letters cannot be transmitted by any irregular route,, or one entailing vlditional; expense on the Colonial Government: ; Letters on the public service >6f the General Government of the Colony are transmitted free by post if bearing the words, "On the Public Service only/ and the signature of some officer of the General (Government authorised to frank official letters. 10.—Registered Letters. Legestration Fee ... ' ... •., '„. i 8 In addition, to the ordinary postage chargeable on. any' letter. _ Except in special cases, as exhibited in table we subjoined. . ' NEWSPAPERS. 1. To any part of the Colony, if published m the Colony, and posted witain seven days from publication .. .. F ree . • If not published inthe " Colony, "'or not posted within seven days from publication, each .. ■■..-■• .. .. i o . 2. To the United Kingdon, via Southampton* or by direct ship .. : .. ..Free To the United Kingdom, via Marseilles, each .. .... .. 3d. 3. To the Continent of Europe, via Trieste. each ... ... ... ><# 2d. 4. To and Turkey (uot through the United Kingdom), not exceeding two ounces ... ... ... mtm \^ ■, And so on, at the rat f one penny for ever addi tional two ounces. Note.- For the Postage chargeable on Newspapers, forwarded to other countries, through the United Kingdom, see tahle (A) subjoined. I*OOK PACKETS. 1. To any part of the Colony, or to the United Kingdom, via Southampton Not exceeding 4oz ... ... <M 4^ Exceeding 4 oz., and not exceeding 8 oz'" Bd. „ Boz., „ „ 160z..,15. 4d And so on, increasing eight pence for every additianal half-pound, or fraction of half-a-pound. 2. To the following British ColoniesAscension lonian Islands Bermuda Natal British West Indies New Brunswick Canada Newfoundland Cape of Good Hope* Nova Scotia Falkland Islands Prince Edward Island Gambia St. Helena Gold Coast Sierra Leone Heligoland Vancouver's'lsland Not exceeding 4 oz. ... ... ##< 7^ Exceeding 4 oz., and not exceeding 8 oz. .'"is. 2d 8 oz- ■> „ 16 oz. ... 2s 4d. and so on, increasing one shilling nn.l two pence for every half-pound, or fraction of half-a-pound. PREPAYMENT BIT STAMPS. All letters, packets, and newspapers posted in New Zealand, must be prepaid by affixing postage labels the colony of sufficient value. „ LOOSB LBTTBRf. All letters received from beyond seas,at any Port Oince in this Colony, which have not been regularly posted at the place of despatch (loose letters), are chargeable with full postage, according to the rates established by the foregoing tables, unless they are letters which it is not compulsory by law to send by post, in which case they are chargeable with the inland rate of postage only. INSUFFICIENT PAYMENT. Letters and packets liable to more than one rate of postage, and addressed to places within the Colony, or to the United Kingdom, it bearing at least a single rate,wiil be forwarded and charged with the postage deficient, and another single rate as a fine. Letters and packets so addressed, and bearing less than a single rate of postage, and all letters and packets otherwise addressed, not bearing the full postage chargeable, will be detained and returned to the sender in all cases where practicable. Newspapers, if posted without prepayment of the full amount of postage chargeable, can neither be forwarded to their destination nor returned to the sender ; but will be delivered or forwarded to the person addressed, on application, within six mouths, at the office where same were posted, and payment of the deficient postage in stamps. BOOK-PACKETS TO BE OPEK FOR INSPECTION. Every book-packet shall be sent open at the end* or sides, and there shall be no enclosure sealed or otherwise closed against inspection sent in or with such packet, nor any thing printed or written in the nature of a letter. CONTENTS. With the above limitations, a packet-book may contain any number of separate books, maps, prints or photographs, and any quantity of paper, vellum, or parchment, either printed, written on, or p.ain (exclusive of anything in the nature of a letter whether sealed or open,) with the bmling, covering, or mounting attached or belonging to such book •print, map, or photograph, and all things legiti mately appertaining to or necessary for; the transmission of any enclosed literary or artistic matter, but exclusive of glass in any fovin. The names and address of the sender may appear on the cover. registration. Any person can have a letter regi*rered by affixing on it by means of the proper liibeis the ampunt of. the registration fee, in addition to the proper postage, and presenting it at a Post Office during office hours and at least one hour before the closing of the mail by which it is desired to be transmitted. iEvery precaution will be adopted to ensure the safe delivery of a registered letter, by entering it on the letter bills, and obtaining areceipt for the same ondeliyerv. As the Post Office, however is not responsible for th"c loss oj any letter, whether registered or otherwise, persons sending bank notes or drafts are advised to take the numbers and particulars, and to cut the notes or drafts in halves, and to send them by different p«st _ J rBNALTIES. ;■ • , Any person sending as exempt from postage letters not liable to xemption, or enclosing a communication in the nature of a letter in any newspaper or book-packet areliable to a penalty of £20.! ■rZE AND WEIGHT. No book-packet or packet of newspapers will be received, nor will any Postmaster be required to receive any letter if it exceed two feet in'length, one foot in width or depth, or three pounds in weight. OVERLAND CARRIAGE. i : No Postmaster will be required to receive any book-packet for transmission by an overland mail, v from its weight or any other cause the packet appear calculated to retard the carrier. . CROSBIE WARD. Postmaster-General.