AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Cossack, W.A., September 26. The Ximberley Goldfields.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 173, 9 October 1886, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Cossack, W.A., September 26. The Kimberley Goldfields.

Thb steamer Ofcway arrived from Derby at 6 p.m. She brings about 40 disappointed diggers. Kdgar, a teamster, is said to have brought eeven pounds of gold fron^, the field, the results of sales of provisions. Many on the field are suffering: trom scurvy. The best report now ia thrt some are doing fahly well. The captain of the Otway says it is impossible to obtain authentic information in Derby. Personally he believed the goldfield to be a huge swindle, and that it will enrich none, but prove disastrous to thousands. The rains, which are so eagerly awaited, will only bring sickness and death. He urges, in the strongest terms, miners of New South Wales not to be gulled by reports spread bv unprincipled persons, and cays that May next will be ample time to leave from the South for the diggings, provided the Held proves payable. Perth, September 2Sth. The sohooner Myrtle has arrived at Fremantle from Cambridge Gulf with 40 returned diggers en route to the other colonies. The steamer Otway has arrived at Cossack from Derby, with the following newB:-The "Inquirer's" special correspondent reports that on the road 140 miles from Derby the track is very heavy indeed, and he advises thatdiggers 1 draysshould have at least four horses for every ton. Feed is bad, but water is plentiful at an average stage of eight miles. Reports from the iioids aie very bad ; hundreds are returning from them ; and he says the fields are a fraud. At 125 miles from Derby the road is still heavy for the most part. Up to datehe had pasted about SO dead hor-e?, whichinhis opinion died through outdriving. Lots of diggers are leaving the fields Edgar reports that there are as many arriving there as are leaving. Very few are getting gold, A euppiy of cattle has arrived, and meat is Is per lb. Flour is the [gime. Locke Brothers and Co,, on the Margaret River, haveopenedastore and shoeing forge, and are sending teams back to Derby for more stores. Would still strongly advise packing for the through journey. There is very little sicknees on the diggings now. The following[telegranc from the Government Resident at Derby (Mr T. tl. Love grove) to the Governor is published in the "Daily Newa " to-day :—" Since my last to your Excellency, from 12 to 14 lb of gold have reached Derby from the fields. Bullock teams continue to arrive. They load up and return. The condition of the aniraala speaks well for the feed and water on the roadc*. Several men'are leaving, disappointed with their "venture. Theee are, however, men without means to wait for the rainy scnson. it is a pity they did not take notice of the repeated warnings in the press that these diggings were not suited for men unless thoroughly equipped and with means to await the proper season. I am credibly informed that gold is being got in nearly all the old gullies. Fresh gullies can only be prospected when there is water for working the dearth. No doubt during the next season care will be taken to erect dams and conserve the water. Fire at Camerons Tobacco Factory. The following is the list of insurances on the tobacco factory of Messrs Cameron, destroyed by fire : — Imperial, £4000 ; Liverpool and London and Globe, £2000 ; Commercial Union, £2350 ; Alliance of London, £2000 ; City of London, £2000; Hamburg, Magdeburg,£2ooo; New Zealand, £1500 ; Cornwall, £1500, Queen, £1500; Colouial Mutual, £1000; Lion, £1000 ; Mercantile Mutual, £1000 ; Scottish Union and National, £2000 ; Australian Mercantile Union, £1000 ; Standard of N.Z., £1000; Manchester, £1000; Pacific, £10>>0; Northern. £1000 ; North British and Mercantile, £1000 ; New South Wales, £1000; Anglo- American, £2000; Norwich Union, £1000 : South British, £1000 ; Glasgow and London, £1000 ; Sun, £1000 : National of N. Z , £1000 ; Australian Mutual, £1000 ; Sydney Mntual, £1000 ; Unite-i Australian Mutual, £1000 ; South Australian, £500 ; Union of N. Z , £1000 ; Australian Alliance, £500. Total, £42,850 The Mount Rennie Outrage. The hearing of the charge of criminally assaulting the girl Mary Jane Hicks, against 14 men under arrest, is proceeding at the Sydney Water Police Court. As the story of the outrage unfolds it becomes more and more sickening in its details. Stanley's splendid conduct is the only bright spot in the whole of the disgusting affair, and judging by his determined appearance, had he at the time been possessed ot a weapon of any sort other than his fists, some of the gang of larrikins would have suffered seriously before they could have forced him to abandon the girl. In striking contrast ie the action of some six lads and men, who watched the outrage on the girl without even making an effort to rescue her, or to give information of the matter to the police. It is reported that one of the prisoners has made a statement to the police authorities, in the course of which he implicates several of those accuced.