THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 275, 6 November 1862, Page 7

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, and several 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 au iferous 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, 336,409 ounces of gold have already been transmitted by escort to Dunedin. Miners are doing well ou this field. Scattered parties of prospectors are found ih 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 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 AVetherstone's a large portion of the ground remains quite untorched, 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 wafer 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, hill wot kings 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 fbr 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 tbe foot of Gabriel's Gull}', some large and valuable deposits have been discovered. The route to Tuapeka from Dunedin is by the Main South Hoad, via East Taieri nnd Lake Waihola to Tokomairiro, thence by the Woolshed and Waitahuna. Distance, 70 miles by the travelled road ; but from Cameron's liotel, on Tokomairiro Plains, there is a short cut over the ranges by the Woolshed diugings. whicb nduces the distance to sixty mih-s. The population 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; fiom these the gross yield of gold to present date, as per escort returns, has been 78,G40 ounces All around is what are termed likely looking hi.ls and gullies. The workings are similar to those at Gabriel's and Wetherstone's, ahead}' described. Timber is scarce, but there is plenty of lignite in the neighborhood. The route lrom 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—ma Woolshed and the ranges, 50 miles. Present population, 1,500. The Woolshtd is a comparatively new field, tlie workings having gradually extended down the creek (where they were first discovered) to the south branch ofthe Tokomairiro River, where some very rich ground ha-' been opened up. Some of the auriferous lands in this locality are private roperty, but in every instance the prnpiietors have dealt with the miners in a fair and liberal spirit: and a Government road, upon which a payable had was recently struck, has been thrown open ior mining purposes, on condition of snrfare 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 ofthe 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 oences. 1 he 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 biancbes. The workings consist principally ol creek workings and hill sluicing The population—never very large—is now estimated at 300. Since the first escort in Februaiy last, G,105 ounces have been sent down by tbat mode of conveyance. Situated higher up iv tbe spurs of the Lammerlaw mountains, tne climate is more se\ere than that of Tuapeka nnd 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 ttitse are stated to be available not only lor 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 retishowing promising auriferous indications, was lately discovered by some quartz-miners from Bendigo, who pun o*e 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 remuneraive cmi loyment to the miners engaged upon them, and there is ample room lor many more. The Mount Highlay diggings are situated in the valley of the Upper Taieri, and thtmain woi kings are at 'limbrel's Gully, and at Deep Dell and Filly Bum—tributaries of the Taieri lliver, but several parties of miner* are scattered over the surrounding country in every direction. n,he population of this field has never been large—and at present the number is estimated at 500 miners. When it was ciscovered, in June last, the inclemency of the weather tended to prevent the rush which otherwise would, in all probability, have occurred; The diggii gs are tituated at a cohridcrablc elevation above the sea leyd «ad are

"Consequently subject to heavy falls oinnow during the winter. There is sufficient timber near Timbrel's for moderate use. and scrub, fjr 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 are very considerable, when the spareness 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 Kiver, and Hamilton's and Wayne's station (No. 109) to Saxton's Run, (No. 210) ion which the diggings are situated, 'ihe 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 top* 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 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 a« yet untried, and consequently undeveloped. Coal Creek, about twenty miles above Mount Highlay in a northerly direction, is one of the head branches of the Shag Kiver. Sluicing operations are being conducted in the lied, and on the banks of the creek wi?h remunerative results. The mining population is very small, but will probably increase during the summer months. Lignite of a very superior description c ops 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 ofthe least-worked ofthe Otago gold fields Shortly alter it was first rushed, the more brilliant attractions of Uabriel's Gully dn vv 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'Ltan (No. 216). They are confr.ed to one or two small gullies, near the Lindis Pass on the head-water* 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 beirg sheltered enjoy a milder atmo^pher-. Tin re is a well-supplied store 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 tbe main-branch of the Manuherikia Kiver. past Mount St Nathan's to the Lindis Pass. Distance about IGO 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 fields— and consequently more travelled than any othtr.

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 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 wou In 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 ofthe Dunstan 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 a^e principally confined to the shallow beaches and river bars, where -fine gold is found intermix, d with magnetic iron sand. The melting ofthe snow has lately caused a "fresh " in the river, in a great degree preventing the pursuance of the mode of operations. But the adjacent valley of the Manuherikia presents >ibundant indications of being highly auriferous, consisting as it does of extensive " flats," with v made hills" and terraces. The sinking would be through loose gravel, requiring timber f>r slabbing. But the depth is not great, and timber is now bein,; rafted from the Lake country at the head of the river. Parties have commenced tunnelling from the banks, on a very limited scale, and large gold has been found, it is believed that, if properly worked, a rich harvest will be the result.

There are about 4,000 miners on this field. These appear to have done well. Six thousand ounces have been brought down by escort, 2 000 ounces have reached town by private hand, and it is estimated that an equal quantity has been sent to Tuapeka, making an aggregate of 10.000 ounces. Large quantities still remain in the hands of the miners owing to the want of cash on the field for purchasing. A fortnightly escart service has now been established.

There are patches of bush along the river, but the only timber available for mining purposes is found near the lafces 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 cro ping out on the east hanks ofthe ri> er near the junction of the Manuherikia.

The climate of thi* 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 also the waters of the Clutha are at their lowest, and a larger extent of the rocky bed, in the ledges pf which the gold is retained, is Within reach of rhe miners.

; Punts and boits have b-en placed oa the river hy; private.tnt^rprise, so that miners and their drays may tiofli at various points.

Stores of all kinds are becominginore~easTly obtainable on the ground than they were lat the first rush. Cartage, however still rules high, and provisions are consequently very dear; miners are therefore 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 irapassaplefordrays, and in places difficult for pack-horses Another track, to the eastward ofthe former is somewhat more practicable, but one part is intersected by the Teviot stream, which, when swollen, presents a formidable obstacle to further progress. Another route is from Dunedin by West Taieri, over the Lammermoor ranges to the valley of the Manuherikia ; distance, about 110 miles. After leaving West Taieri there are no hotels or accommodation houses on the mad, but the track passes several stations, a list of which, together with their relative distances we subjoin :—Healey's station, distant from West Taieri 10 miles; thence to Thompson*, 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 tbe road which is situated between Thompson's and Valpy's, winds across the elevated region of the Lammermoors, upwards of 3,000 feet above thi' level of the sea. It is consequently bleak, and at certain seasons not without danger to persons unacquainted with the country, bein«» liable to heavy falls ot 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 proportionality 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.

The miners have extended their operations along the Kawarau for nearly eight miles. They are also working on tbe Earnscleugh and other tributaries ofthe Upper Clutha towards the Li 'dis River. The Manuheiikia River is also being successfully prospected. At the junction ofthe latter with the Clutha, the Government prospecting party have secured a claim, in what they have ascertained to be a payable gold field. On the Teviot stream and other creeks intersecting the route from Tuapeka, several parties of miners have set in and continue working. There is now a continuous chain of diggings from the Tokomairiro River to the upper Ciutha 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 abuudan:ly scattered over the province.

The Nokomai diggings are the last discovered. The only gully at present opened is on Moa Creek—a branch of the Nokomai Kiver—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 lour miles in length, and in breadth generally about a quarter of-a mile, but contracting in some places to 20 or 30 yards. The gold is large, heavy, and waterworn. There is plenty of scrub in the gully, and about 20 acres of timber, principally birch, at the head.

The route to the Nokomai from Dunedin is via the main South Koad and Tokomairiro to the Molyneux 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 ot McKellar'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 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 W.aruna, 12 miles ; thence to the Waipahi 6 miles; thence to the Waikaka, 15 mile*; 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 ia 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 prpsent population is estimated at abnt 300, but a gre.it number of miners are scatte fd over the surrounding countrj' prospect imr in every direction.

From a recent report it would appear that the Nokomai is not turning out so rich as uas at first expected. But it is only fair to say that except in the upper part of Victoria Gully the ground has not been tested, owing to the heavy influx of water, and the want of proper appliances to keep it clear. The depth of sinking to the bed rock is about 2'» to 25 feet, through loose shingle, and the slate bottom dips rapidly from the head of the gully where only has it been reached at a depth of from 2 to 5 feet.

The claims of the prospectors and those immediately adjoining, have averaged about half an ounce a day per man. Mining operations on the Nokomai have been attempted in several places, but the depth, loose na'ure of sinking, and quantity c i water, has hitherto rendered prospecting mpossible.

On the Waikaia River, to the S.E. of the Steeple Hill, irom which it is distant about 8 miles, payable ground has recently been Struck. The prospectors' claim has been proved to yield about half a pennyweight to the pan of coarse gold, with 2 feet of wash dirt, and a soft slaty bottom The Waikaia is nearer to Dunedin, whence it is reached by following the Nokomai road to Hoberts's station, midway between which and tie VVaikaka, there is a track which crosses that river near the east branch leading direct to the Wakaia. The road this way is about I4«> miles. From Moa Creek to the Waikaia is 10 miles.

Tl.e roid by the Long Ford is passable for drays. There is aloo another track—pacs ticable only for packhorses—which diverge from the first track about half-way between Roberts's station and the Waikaka, crossing that river hear the east branch, pissing between Wakaia and Pyramid Hills, then crossing tbe 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 length, connecting Nokomai with the Dunstan gold 'field: It is, however, little used, tunning over snow-covered mountains, and it will be safer for those who,desire to crass from either locality to take the longer but more praticable r©ttt« indicated abort.