(From the Witness.) ARRIVAL OF THE ESCORT WITH 19,700 OUNCES OF GOLD.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 423, 12 November 1861, Page 3

(From the Witness.) ARRIVAL OF THE ESCORT WITH 19,700 OUNCES OF GOLD.

The escort arrived in town yesterday afternoon, November 2nd, with 19,700 ounces of gold from the Tuapeka. That collected at the Waitahuna field has not been brought in, and 3000 ounces in the Union Bank were also left behind. We presume the continued increase in the amount of gold deposited for transmission by the escort will necessitate its being despatched weekly. The news from the diggings is still of the same character; all was peaceful and quiet, and the diggers were doing remarkably well. The population at the Waitahuna is variously estimated at from 5000 to .7000 people, and Gabriel's Gully still boasts of a large number of diggers, who are making successful finds on the ridges and dry gullies: but, in fact the diggers are spread over all the country between Tuapeka and Tokomairiro. Many persons are working upon the banks of the Tokomairiro stream, down in the Hundreds. The diggers state that they thought they, had come too late, but now they areof opinion that the diggingsare onlyjust commencing. Undoubtedly during the last few weeks the extent and richness of the fields have been developed in an extraordinary manner. There had been a rush to a new gully about five miles distant from Waitahuna: good prospects were obtained, but there has not been time for the claims to be worked. Prospecting.—Mr. Bead has returned from his prospecting expedition. The rumor current as to some extraordinary success in the discovery of a field exceeding in richness Gabriel's Gully, are without foundation. Mr. Bead found gold in almost every place he tried, but the nature of the country presented difficulties which he had not appliances to overcome. He reports that it would require much deeper- sinking to reach the bed rock than is necessary at the Tuapeka diggings. Mr. Bead's official report will shortly be published. Assault.—A savage assault was committed on a man from Gabriel's Gully, on Monday last. When near Morgan's accommodation house, he was attacked by two men, and so severely beaten that it was thought necessary he should be sent to the Dunedin hospital. It is supposed that he was mistaken for an informer, hi search of sly grog sellers. Police Stations.—We understand that it is the intention of the Government to establish police stations at all the principal centres of population north and south, at distances of 20 or 25 miles. A valuable property has been purchased in the Tokomairiro for the purpose, and the station is now occupied. Police Gazette.—The present police arrangements of this once quiet little settlement in the Pacific, present as great a contrast to our state ot primitive innocence as anything we are acquainted with. On Monday last was published the first number of the Otago Police Gazette. The nature of the document will be best explained by quoting the statement of the contents at the head:—' The substance of informations received in cases of felony and misdemeanours, and against receivers of stolen goods, reputed thieves and offenders escaped from custody, with the time, place and circumstances of the offence; the names of persons known, but not in custody, who are charged with offences, and descriptions of those who are not known, their appearance, dress, and other marks of identity; the names of accomplices and accessories, with every particular which may lead to their apprehension; a description, as accurate as possible, of property that has been stolen; and a minute description of stolen horses, &c, for the purpose of tracing and recovering them.' The Gazette is to be distributed to Justices of the Peace, and to be forwarded to all the police stations throughout the country. The style in which our police business is being conducted ought to give confidence. * Sticking Up.'—An anecdote is told with reference to the late ' sticking up' case which, while it is curious from the fortunate escape of the person, illustrates the folly of men returning from the diggings with a large amount of valuable pioperty. One of our oldest settlers was returning, in company with several other persons, from the diggings, bringing 7ibs weight of gold in a carpet bag. Being well acquainted with the country over which he was travelling, he took a short cut, and in doing so just missed the gang of robbers, who were sticking i up every one they could catch hold of. Those with whom he had been travelling were stuck up and robbed, but he with the prize escaped.