LATER NEWS FROM THE DUNSTAN DIGGINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 266, 27 October 1862, Page 5

LATER NEWS FROM THE DUNSTAN DIGGINGS.

NEW RUSHES,

OFFICIAL REPORT.

The subjoined report ha* been placed at our disposal by the Government:—

Gold Fields' Department, - Commissioner's Office, „. T , , , 3)nnstuu, October 20,1862. bir,—l have the honor to report for your informaton that suice ray last letter 1 have visited the sites of die two prospeqtiror claims granted to Messrs. Oonroy, Hill, an d parties ; and found in the gully opened up by the formtr, about one hundred miners at work. Seme of these appeared satisfied with the results of their labor, but the majority did not con-s-der their earnings sufficiently great to repay their trouble with the water they had to contend with. Many Uft oftcr giving Ihe place a short trial, but snrae few who have regained have been very fortunate. One miner exhibited the finest sample of sold I ha< c yet seen, a parcel of nine ounces, very heavy and well colored, ami much water worn j the general opinion, however, is not favorable to this locality lue new workings prospected by Hill and party promised greater results. About 300 miners set in as soon as the prospecting claim was granted ; most of these apprar to be doing vail, but the ground opened by the prospector himself has not realised the expectations formed on the first washing's. Both of these new ru?fr's would have attracted more attention, but for the rumor of a payable gully having- been discovered in the Umbrella Ramies, on the short track to the Nokomai, This was first made known on the 10th instant, when the prospectors, named Kennedy, Roberts, and Potter, made'application to me for an extended claim." They submitted two ounces of very rough gold, which they stated they had obtained in one »lay, with shove's and a tin di.-'h.

I visited the locality indicated in their report, on WeiJnes<Jay, the 15th, or rather left this caiup with that int-jntion on that date, arriving at the gully on Thursday morning. This gully hails from the western slope of the Umbrella Ranges into the Nevis, and is distant about twenty-three miles from this cam]). The mad is very difficult to travel on horseback, and at present impassable for vehicles j the great drawback therefore to the miners working there is thft difficulty of procuring provisions. On my arrival I found about three hundreJ miners at work, and saw many prospects out of dishes of was-hdirt. Some of these claims have turned out exceedingly rich, while others are reponcd as not payable. The gold is heavy and of superior quality. LarRC quantities have been soid from tliis rush, asid from the numbers that are proceeding there, I believe that it will turn out very rich. Two other jrullu* on the eastern side of the Umbrellas, and about from two to four miles from the one before mentioned, have also been prospected, and aiv attracting attention. It is difficult to speak ;it the present of the permanency of such dyeings, but from thu ext-mt of ground covered in that neighborhood, I am inclined to'lielieve that there will be no scarcity of employment for the minors at present on the field, and those that may be expected to arrive, uutil the river falls, and the holdew of clahns now flooded, can resume their work.

The River Molyneux has risen two or three feet duriiigthft lasMhirty six hours. Violeut gales have prevailed during the Inst three days, and the surrounding bills are covered with snow. All the miners holding front chums on the river banks are applying f->r protection certificates, and I have threat difficulty in absenting myell from tha office iv consequence. I have the honor to b •, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Jacksok KedbeljL, Commissioner. To his Honor the Superintendent of the Province ofOtago Dunedin.