NEW RUSH AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKE.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 35, 27 January 1864, Page 3

NEW RUSH AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKE.

(From the Wukatip Mail. 23rd inst.) By the courtesy of Mr Inspector Morton, wo are enabled to present to o.ur readers the following account of the lately reported "rusli" at the head of tho Lake. By the signature it will be seen that the information comes from the veteran explorer, and prospector, Mr P. Q. Caplcs : — Lake End, January 17th, 18G1-. Dear Sir, — From the very slender information we received in Q.ueenstown of a rush somewhere on the Kces River, I started from town in search of the supposed spot, which I found, and therefore send you the particulars. When I arrived at this end of the Lake, I made no delay, but followed up the Hoes' River. The ilrat 20 miles was level travelling through, open and well-grassed llats ; but the remaining distance of fifteen miles is exceedingly steep, presenting a succession of rapids, so" as to preclude the idea of taking a horse any further. At the head of this river I met one of the prospectors and four others, uncl we together crossed over a saddle (5000 feet) to the eastern branch of the Dart River. The prospector denied having got more than the color, and from his statement I collected the following : — They reached hero with a very slender stock of provisions, and obtained the colour in several places ; but as ho liked the look of the place, they returned for a supply of pi'ovisions. The mate at the same time got " on (ho spree," and magnified every speck into a nugget. The day wo readied tlicro, ■wo prospected some of tho likely and available places, and o.btanicd, the color, though tried in a very careless manner. This portion of the Dart is about 4000 feet abovo tho: sea-level, and it may be interesting to know that gold may bo looked for at this height, or at a liiu cutting half the height of our highest mountains* After fixing our camp, it commenced snowing, and continued so for three days and nights. We had to keep a good look out that.

the snow might not accumulate on our tent. We sliovelled it away, so that it became heaped up like a fortress arcmud our camp. It was only on a few occasions, between showers of snow and sleet, that we were allowed time to make a. fire ; and being 1000 feet above tho timber we had to use snow-heath, to obtain which we were compelled to clear away the snow. This portion of the Dart is not mow than twice the size of the Moke Creek. It has in one place a bridge of ice over it, and several small glaciers, from three to tan feet, arc lying close to the water's edge. On another branch, 800 feet lower, we could see a very large glacier, surrounded on both sides by perpendicular mountains. Thus height alone is not a cumulative agent of snow and jx;e ; but the levels within a circle bounded on all sides by high and snow-crested peaks will, from such proximity, contain the same relative coldbearing properties as in higher positions. On the fourth day we becme alarmed at our position, as no signs of clearing-up appeared, and two feet of snow already covered the surface, whilst six or ten feet had accumulated in sheltered situations. One of the party proposed a resolution, reasonably enough, that it was better to return and wade through two feet of snoAv than wait for a fine day, and perhaps receive in return two feet more, with a decreased supply of pi*ovisions. I aud two others started— the other three waiting .for a fine day, and watching our progress with intense anxiety— to gain our route, 'which lay 500 feet above the creek, which we call 'Snowy- Creek. The danger lay in sliding over a precipice into the creek, from the sloping position of the mountain side. The snow was generally knee-deep, and very often to otu* waists. On several occasions we had to climb on all-fours, thrusting our hands through the snow to hold on to the tufts of grass. We continued in this manner for nearly a mile, until we reached tho saddle, by which time the day cleared up, considerably raisins our spirits. Seeing our safe delivery, we chatted, chaffed, and talked the cold away, and thus did not feel the subsequent descent of 500 feet down to Hoes' .River, except once, when on descending a narrow ravine, filled with snow, I totally disappeared from the sight of my companions. We returned to-day, having been nine days away, and I feel the effects of a very severe cold. Should the weather keep wet, the other party will need assistance, so I shall hold myself in readiness, but during fine weather there is not the least danger to bo apprehended. P. Q. Caples. W. 3f. Morton, Esq. . ■