THE NICHOLSON GOLD-FIELD.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 242, 14 February 1860, Page 4

THE NICHOLSON GOLD-FIELD.

(From the Argus.) We are indebted to the courtesy of a gentleman who has visited the spot for the following information respecting the so-called Nicholson Gold-field. To commence with the route. The intending visitor to "he spot should, after leaving Melbourne pass through Kew to the White Horse Hotel, thence to the Brushy Creek, twenty-five mile 3 from Melbourne; and from the latter spot on to Briarty's station, taking care when leaving Brushby to go through a paddock about a quarter of a mile from the preek. After passing through this paddock, the track should be kept for three or four miles until it leads to a wire fence, which must be passed upon the left. A high four-railed fence * follows this, and must be followed for some seven miles more; the beaten track is then to be followed to Briarty's station, which is 43 miles distant from town. From Briarty's station to the creek on which the new diggings are situated, the road is rather intricate. The proper course is to follow the track of the Emerald Diggings, as far as the junction of the Woady Yallock and M'Crae's Creek, where a most desirable spot for a township appears to exist. The junction is about eight mile 3 from Briarty's station and fifteen from M'Crae and Co.'s claim, which must be reached by following up the course ofthe creek from the junction. There appears to be every indication of iron stone and quartz reefs on the ranges, and large boulders of the latter rock were found by our informant" in the vicinity of the new gold-field. Since, he has left, a bush fire has swept through j the scrub on M'Crae's Creek for several miles, and has opened up a good deal of the almost impenetrable barrier which it formerly presented It is highly probable that some land, suitable for grazing purposes, will "be found between Briarty's station and Gipp's Land. At present the Baw Baw mountains present all the appearance of snow. From indications apparent to the geologist, there seems a strong probability that the main deposit of gold will ultimately be found to exist further back in the country over the dividing ranges, and that the Omeo and Nicholson Gold-fields are merely as it were the extreme end of the aurifeous drift from the higher ranges in the year. Of course it is impossible to speak positively on such a point, but it might possibly be. the means of testing it if tracks were opened up for packhorses : though at the same time it must be stated that the country is perhaps the wildest and most impenetrable of any in the colouy, and Mr. M'Crae must have been endowed with great perseverance and indomitable pluck to have pushed his researches for gold so great a distance in the wild and densely scrubby district alluded to. A Mr. Williams; an ornithologist of the Auderson stamp, a gentleman who would range for miles in pursuit of a bird, is also'of opinion that a richer gold field exists farther back than the present discoveries. " The bed rocks of the creek," remarks our informant " on which M'Crae's claim is situated, appear to be granite with boulders of conglomerate clay, quartz pebbles and decomposed granite, thus accounting for the black sand, which is of a highly metallic character. Gold in its pure state lies sparingly dispersed through the same. It is surmised that if a bed rock, composed of shelvy slate, partially decomposed, quartz and gravel, and yellow or pipe clay be found, in that part the gold will be more abundant, It is very likely the far side of the dividing ranges may be found to contain the above formation. On the first opening of tbe Mount Alexander district, it was supposed to be very likely that rich deposits lay in the valleys east of that mountain, a supposition which proved ultimately correct. The district west and south of Mount Alexander is granite. In reference to this subject we have received the following letter, which, as we ar.3 informed had been forwarded to the Argus, but there refused publication. As will be seen, it refers to letters that have appeared in that journal, and tends to controvert the statements therein made public:— ' ( To the Editor of the Argus. ) « Sir,—-Since I came to town, I read in your journal from one Alexander Carrick Berne, claiming to be a joint-discoverer with the Messrs. Mr. M'Crae of the new gold-field. I am of the opinion, in which I am sure you will coincide, tbat auy one who will undertake the extremely difficult and dangerous task Of exploring and prospecting that part of the couutry , called the Nicholson gold-field, is entitled to at least all the credit arising out ofthe discovery.. I therefore feel called upon to state what I know of this matter. "About fourteen months ago, Mr. William M'Crae called at my station for a supply of provisions to continue his prospecting operations, and .he.;., and his brother have called, several times at my station since, for pack horses to carry their tools and provisions through the bush. Mr. William M'Crae has also shown.me samples of black sand, con. taining gold aiid some gold quartz specimens the'result of his labor. A few.' weeks ago Mr' William M'Crae called at my house, on his way" to the|Bi itauia, accompanied by this Mr. Berne, and in about a fortnight after, Berne called at my house, stating the country where he had been, was no good, and that,-when he reached Melbourne, he wonld put such a description of it in the paper as would prevent any one from coming to it.

" I must say that the conduct of this person while iv my house, ,tp which I admitted him solely on account of his being witli Mr. M'Crae, was anything hut creditable. It did not give me a very high opinion of him nor of his veracity, but I was hot prepared, I admit, for eucli a piece of coolaudacity as to lay claim, as lie has done; to tiie merit'of a'discovery "of which by his own oft repeated admission, and to my certain knowledge he could know nothing. " I remain, Sir, -v "Your obedient servant, * i '■■■"•: ' ROBERT BRIERTY. •'January 20tb, I860."