NEW SOUTH WALES.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 360, 5 April 1861, Page 3

NEW SOUTH WALES.

(From the Sydneg Evipire, March 2L.) THE GOLD FIELDS.

The intelligence from the gold-fields since our last summary has been very fluctuating, but; upon the whole; favorable.

In the northern district, the Ironbark diggings are being reworked. The Biogera goldfield, near the same place, is also being worked. The yield of the precious metal is, in some instances, payable. The Rocky River sends its usual quantity to the Mint. .... .

The Burrangong (Lambing Flat) field is one, which for some time past has been the source of the greatest excitement in the colony, both from its yield and an alleged outbreak amongst the diggers.

In our last summary we mentioned that the Chinese, and their mode of gold seeking, having become extremely distasteful to the European diggers, the former were summarily expelled from Burrangong by the Europeans. Since then the question, whether the Chinese should be restored to their claims or not, has been as great as ever. So alarming were tbe reports from there that the Goyernment, despatched thither all the available foree 1 in the, colony, consisting of about 140 of the i2th regiment, under command of Captain Atkinson, and 40 artillerymen with three 12-lb. howitzers, and large quantities of ammunition, together with about 30 mounted police. They were fifteen days on the route, the distance being 260 miles from Sydney. The honorable Colonial Secretary also proceded to' Lambing Flat, and meetings of the diggers were held to lay their grievances before him. He had several audiences with deputations from the diggers, and said the principal grievances—want of proper postal communication, and police protection, shou d be redressed. He gave no encouragement to those who desired' the expulsion of the Chinese, but said the laws Bhould be upheld and respected without regard to color or country. One large meeting, which was attended by between two thousand and three thousand miners, was addressed at length by Mr. Cowper, and he was enthusiastically received by them. The military are still encamped on tho gold-field, and are engaged in building redoubts, but the very best feeling exists between them and the diggers. Some of the Chinese remain encamped a few miles from tbe diggings expecting to be reinstated in their claims by the military, more of them have gone to other diggings, intending to return to Burrangong when an opportunity offers. Some of them have petitioned the Legislature for compensation. Their petition has beeu received. By the latest news we learn that a better feeliug is growing up. Robberies have been rife on the field and roads approaching it. The diggers have secured some of the robbers and brought them before the magistrates, by whom they were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. There are supposed to be about ten thousand persons there, and this large number is daily increasing. The yield of gold is considered very large, and but for the disturbed state of the place, would be much larger. Business there is brisk, and the price of provisions reasonable. The Colonial Secretary returned to Sydney last week and resumed his Ministerial duties; he made an explanation of the circumstances of his visit to Burrangong, in the Legislative Assembly, yesterday, which appears in our Parliamentary report.

At the Ophir gold-fields prospects are good. Two large nuggets, one weighing one hundred and four ounces, and the other forty ounces, have been taken out by one party, together with a large quantity of " dust."

It is anticipated, from the auriferous appearance of a place within a few miles of Tamworth that gold will be found there.

The Gulf diggings, near Moruya are being worked by a few, who are realising wages.

At Little River, in the Braidwood district, the reports are indicative of progress.

Kiandra, which was expected to be so numerously peopled this summer, has been almost deserted for the Burrangong, there being only a few huudred in operation; those who adhere to it, however, are doing well. At Jackass Flat operations have been somewhat impeded through a surplus of water. The quartz-reef is ; beiug worked, but sufficient time has not elapsed to .decide upon its richness.

The gold received by escort this.month has been about the usual quantity.