COOKTOWN AND THE PALMER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 360, 30 May 1874, Page 4

COOKTOWN AND THE PALMER.

{From the '• Brisbane Courier")

Townsvillb, April 18. I have just returned from a visit to Cooktown, Endeav&ur River, where, during a stay of about four days, I had an opportunity of learning some facts connected with the Palmer rush. There were five steamers one ship, two barques, and about ten schooners at the port, and from three to four thousand people camped at various parts between Grassy Hill and the outside boundary of the township. Owing to the very heavy 'rains that" have prevailed for the past three weeks they are unable to travel, and it is probable that* many wilPnojt attempt to go up to the diggings at all. The news brought down by the ■ southern men is not at all encouraginjr, but the fact is that New Zealandera, Victorians, and all except very few of the New South Wales men are not able to stand this climate, much less go through the hardship they wonld have to undergo by a journey to the Palmer, where they would have -to prospect for payable ground, which is much scattered. But even should this field prove all that has been said of it, it would not give employment to more than from 1500 to 3000 men unless good reefs are .found, and rations become more pleniful, and cheaper ; and this will not be until the drays can travel, which will be three months hence.

The Northern Queensland diggers' reports are of a more sanguine nature ; they speak well of the place, and say they can do moderately well. Many of those men I have known well for the last five years, since the Cape and Gilbert rushes, and feel assured that having been on the Palmer they would not express their determination of returning if they did not think it worth their while. There is still a large area of country to prospect. It does not follow that because a few hundred men have been making a living on a newly-discovered field, that from 10,000 to 15,000 men of all classes should madly rush to Cooktown — in all probability two-thirds will never go out of the town. The harbor of Cooktown is, in my opinion, one of the finest north of Sydney, but the coast requires lighting at varions points, which will lessen the difficulty and danger of navigation. "Jhe Police, Customs, and Court-house reserve occupy the most valuable portion of land at the foot of Grassy Hill, and facing the whole of the wharf frontage-^- about forty chains. " From thence the main street is closely built on both sides for three-quarters of a mile.. The following are the principal trades represented : — Sixty-five publicans' licenses are issued, and thirty more applied for but not many of these contain the requisite accommodation, in fact the majority none at all ; then come about twenty eating^ houses twelve large stores, twenty smaller ones, six butchers, five bakers, three tinsmiths, four tent and sailmakers, six hairdressers, seven blacksmiths, four chemists, three docters. three watchmakers, seven bootmakers, four fancy shops, five saddlers', four Customhouse agents and auctioneers, three booksellers. There are several billiard-rooms and three Chinamen with goods from their gardens. The above are far in excess of the number required ; as soon as the roads are open 75 per cent, will no doubt remove somewhere out of Cooktown. I have no hesitation in saying that they cannot exist there after the rush cools down. Nearly one half of the horses died within a week after landing, which I attribute to the manner in which- they are landed by tho vessels, - Mr. Douglas of the native mounted police has succeeded in shortening the road considerably. The distances are now as follow :—: — Cooktown to Normanby, 40 miles ; Normanby to Hell's Gate, 48 miles ; Hell's Gate to Palmer, 25 miles ; total, 113 miles.

Notwithstanding the large number of people everything is quiet and orderly.