THE DUNSTAN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 295, 29 November 1862, Page 6

THE DUNSTAN.

MORE RICH FINDS REPORTED

LATER NEWS FROM THE ARROW.

FURTHER PARTICULARS REGARD-

ING THE CARDRONA

(FROM OUR SPECIAI, COBKESPOXDE>-T.)

Hartley Township, 25th Nov., 1862. Having only yesterday despatched my usual weekly summary, it will be unnecessary to enter into full details again in this communication. It is hoped that the presence and practical experience of Mr Strode will, with the observations he has been able to make here, prove sufficient to produce a radical change in the manner in which this gold field has been hitherto treated by the Government. Be that as it may, the presence of this gentleman has led to the hopes mentioned. Mr Iveddell, the Commissioner, proceeds to Dunedin ; Mr Hudson, who has proved so invaluable a J.P., has already gone ; so that with the absence of Commissioner and Magistrates, and an inadequate number of police, we shall find ourselves in a pretty little fix, for some time to come. How this will work, is hard to suy, but one can hardly look at the probable result without dread and anxiety. The consequences that may arise might prove of a very serious character.

The accounts received to-day from the Cardrona are unfavorable, though strong opinions are entertained that gold exists there in quantities. The valley or creek is about thirty miles long, and is represented as promising eventually to turn out well. The flats, spurs. stud creeks, are auriferous, but exceedingly patchy. The prospectors are not working at present to any extent, but stick to their ground. Some persons are prone to call it a storekeepers' rush, from the fact of a dray load ol'goods being found there when the first persons arrived on the spot, and also because the same dray has often returned. The name of a leading house has been freely mentioned, but the chief cause of discontent and dissension is the effect of the news received from Fox's rush. No later reliable news from that place has yet been received, and the most exaggerated statements are current. Some speak in the highest terms, and others in the mot=t discouraging manner. Which view is the correct one I trust soon to be able to state, upon sound and safe information.

Two other discoveries have been reported to-day, but in neither instance can the localities be proclaimed, in consequence of the Commissioner being unable to afford protection to prospecting parties beyond the limited proclaimed area of the Duustan gold field. People are getting too shrewd to make fresh discoveries known, unless they can obtain extended claims'. "When this state of matters becomes more generally known, the difficulties of obtaining correct information will increase. The escort must come to be looked upon, under such a system, as the most reliable test and guide of the gradual and successful progress of the district. This delay will, however, mar its more rapid advance; as properly authenticated statements of new finds give a valuable encouragement to those prospecting for new places, find likewise lead to a more certain knowledge of the localities in which efforts may with great confidence he directed.

Messrs Miller and Cohen, large wholesale storekeepers in this town, report having purchased this afternoon 180 ozs. of rough dark gold, the produce of a few days r work,"from a party of four men. The same party sold, on the loth instant, 34 ozs. of a similar description of gold. It is almost black, and very heavy, and in large pieces. It evidently comes from a burnt reef, and is of a peculiar character. They refuse to state the locality, but it cannot be far from this place, in consequence of the frequent visits they make to the township.

A party also applied to the Commissioner for a prospecting claim. The prospect obtained war, 2 ozs to five tin dishes. This gold was likewise in a few pieces. They stated that on washing the stuff they first threw away it averaged from one to three pennyweights to the tin dish. The very heavy gold was obtained about a foot from the bottom. When they learnt that their request could not be complied with, as being beyond the boundaries of this gold field, they refused to make known the whereabouts of the discovery. A rumor of another discovery, in which five pounds weight is the prospect obtained for a day's work, is pretty generally believed, but so lar I have been unable to authenticate the tact of its being rea l]y procured. Parties have just arrived from Pox's rush. From their account, they state that a Mr Low and a Mr M Gregor, have been working there on the " quiet," and are large holders of gold exceeding anything that Fox obtained. These gentlemen are stated to be connected with a Btation-holder, near this place, and at the time they found out the gold they were looking out for new stations. These parties speak veil of the district; but found the ground very limited on tbe Arrow River, and very wet. requiring pumps, &c. The spurs of the hills were the richest places. Provisions were very dear and unobtainable. The country, is by these stated to possess a most promising appearance; and they believe that enormous yields will be found in it. Provisions are the great drawback at present. They state that Fox did not discover this ground, but found Low and M'Gregor at work there. They also state that they heard it asserted, that these two men had obtained more gold than ever Hartley and Reilley did. They add that it is no use going without a pack horse, tools, and a stock of provisions. These are all the particulars I can learn of a truthful nature. Have just learnt that the five pounds •weight is a real fact, and was obtained somewhere about the Bannockburn, on the road to new rush. It is about a day's journey from this.

The exodus has been so steadily kept up, that the main street almost looks deserted, in comparison with the last few days. It is now possible to walk down it, in comparative comfort, and without being jostled at every step. " The shepherders" of frontages have followed the stream, and thinned the end of the street near the camp. Pack horses are in immense demand, and "bringing most extravagant prices. One, possessing three legs and a " swinger," was sold for £60, leas than an hour ago. The Magisterial inquiry into the cause of the death of James Campbell was conducted by Messrs Strode and Murison, From the evidence given by Dr Jackeon, who made the post mortem examination assisted by Dr Fox. the cause of death was ascertained to have arisen from excessive drinking. The deceased

had only recently arrived from Punedin, and had not been sober for the last three weeks.

The Escort takes down the large amount of 13,000 ounces. The warden's usual returns will more clearly show how the population has been distributed. The one hundred-weight quartz gold offered for sale is said to resemble that of Coromandel. Further particulars I hope soon to be able to forward. The man brought the quartz in an old flour bag, and stated that he was very hard-up. He has successfully eluded discovery so far, though the fact is causing great excitement with us.

A gentlemen who hag just arrived from Dunedin says, tliat the good people of that city expect the Escort to reach 20,C000z. Any such opinion shows very little practical experience with gold fields. It is where the population is settled down that the Escorts generally advance. Your correspondent is the only person who has here been able, a week ago, 'to aay that the Escort would touch 12,000 oz. Neither the bankers, nor the Gold Receiver, till within the last day or two, anticipated an increase upon the last one. It is a most astonishing fact that it should have so increased under the fluctuating condition of the population. Not over 500 ozs came from the river ! all from the back gullies chiefly. When the river becomes workable it will be time enough to anticipate an escort of 20,000 ozs. Some drays that the owners wished to take on to the new rush have found the few miles of road between this and the Kawarau .impassable. The extent of ro;ul that requires to be made is about six miles, but these few miles involve most important considerations. Upon their formation depends the success of winning the race of Otago v. Invercargill, and also of permanently and prosperously establishing this place as a great centre.