LATEST NEWS FROM THE PALMER RUSH.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1779, 3 April 1874, Page 3

LATEST NEWS FROM THE PALMER RUSH.

Townsvime, March 23.

I Favourable news has; been, received here from the Palmer goldfields. It is reported that several reefs have been discovered with a good show. There is no flour at Cooktown, and nearly three thousand men are said to be on the road between Oooktown and the Palmer. A number have come down, and are waiting at Oooktown for stores. i Cooktowk, March 20. I Hundreds are leaving almost daily for the Palmeri The newly-discovered reef has been traced for nearly two ,miles. Itis estimated that some of the stone will yield lOozs to the ton. Some splendid picked specimens have been sent down by Mr Kirby, late member, for Gympie. He says that bullock teams could travel now by heading; the Normanby Eiver. Several deaths have oCourred through, dysentery, and the blacks are troublesome ontheroad.. '-.;- .-.. Vli EoCKHAMPrOIf. ; Information received from Pooktown via Townsville, dated Wednesday last, states that the first issue of a new biweekly journal has been published. - It is called the Cooktown Herald: ; The road to the Palmer is now open for horsemen. News from the goldfields is highly encouraging.. It is said that reefs have been discovered equal in richness to those of Gympie. Eighteen pounds of quartz exhibited at the Joint Stook Bank are estimated to yield at the rate of 60ozs to the ton. Provisions are scarce at Oooktown. A. large quantity of ; food is being forwarded by packhorses to the Palmer. No flour or butchers' meat is obtainable. The weather is beautifully cool, in consequence of the trade winds, and the public health is good. ; The total receipts from the Palmer since the establishment of the township amount to 20,0000z5.' ' A Government party are hard at work opening up a dray road from Oocktown to the Palmer. People are foolish to come here until the work has been completed. Geobgetow, Maroh 21. A Chinaman was stabbed by anotherat Charters Towers on Saturday. ' ' Five crushing machines are now working. Miners are' leaving daily for the Palmer. 8,0030zs of gold are awaiting escort. The ; prospeots ; 'of_the field will revive when reefers are. obtainable. : The demand for rations on the diggings is so great that the horses on tbe road are not equal to supplying it. Everything is quiet and orderly. ' The prospectus of the Northern Steam Company has been issued. Capital, £150,000, in £10 shares, £90,000 to be called up within twelve months. The Company propose to commence with four new screw steamers, three of them costing £60,000, and one small one £12,000, The directors are to bo residents in Queensland.