Otago Gold Field.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 262, 3 October 1861, Page 4

Otago Gold Field.

(From the Witness, Sept. 14. We quit® agree Avith our Melbourne contemporaries in their remarks upon the folly of vast numbers of persons rushing to Otago until the extent of the fields has been ascertained. That important question has not yet been settled. We have repeatedly directed attention to the fact, that the majority of diggers have been confined to narrow limits—that the most paving field Avas the first discovered, viz.," Gabriel’s gully and its tributaries, if such a term .is applicable. The extent of the field is still problematical : a small number of experienced diggers, Avho Avill be able to settle that important question , Ave are glad to see and heartily Avelcome ; but Ave have no desire for a rush of people, who may meet Avith disappointment. If those Avho come, if they do not find gold, are to settle doAvn quietly in the ordinary occupations of the country, or to buy land if they have the means, the failure iu the discovery of further gold fields Avill be of .little or no consequence. We were gettng on uncommonly avcll without them, and could do so again. New Zealand is essentially a country for the small man to settle doAvn ; and Ave strongly recommend the purchase and cultivation of the soil as a far pleasanter and wiser, if even a less profitable occupation than gold finding.

The latest neAvs from 4 tlie diggings is not very striking in character; large numbers of people are taking up claims, but of their success or otherAvise we can learn nothing sufficiently definite to form any estimate of the extent of the field : but few persons are returning to town, and that we presume is the only test that can possibly be applied, Tavo small nuggets have been lound, orie 2ozl 2dwts., obtained from Gabriel’s Gully, the other loz. 7dAvts. from Mnnro’s Gully. The weather has been fine, the- roads are drying, and the Commissioner is Avorked off his legs granting miners’ rights and settling claims.

THE GOLD EXCITEMENT. ( Contri! u'ruh ) t There is something so refreshing in the exhibition of enthusiasm that one feels indisposed to arrest its outpouring ; but when this feeling assumes the form of a delusion, it becomes the duty of every honest man to do what he can to avert the serious consequences. Otago at tlm present moment is the object of one ol these * delusions which periodically affect mankind. It was but the other day that a comparative stranger, hearing there were traces of gold on the banks of a tributary of the Molyneux river, proceeded with his tin dish to the neighbourhood, and, after a little prospecting, hit npon “ Gabriel’s” gully ; subsequently, other persons succeeded in discovering gold in two gullies on either side ; and these three, up to within the last few clays,

comprised the entire gold field of Otago. Since then, even though numerous parities have been prospecting in eveiy direction, only one additional gully or valley lias been discovered. This, with the Lindis, is the whole ascertained extent ot the gold field of Otago. We will readily allow that there is reason to hope, if not believe, that tlio auriferous district is much more extensive, and that the ranges in the interior, and bordering on the tributaries of the Molyneux, and extending northward to the Canterbury border, and southward beyond that of Southland, will be found to yield gold in remunerative quantities, but this is little more than conjecture, and it is our duty to state that at present no nuggets, as in Australia, have been discovered, but few specimens of gold in combination with quartz, and to add that, owing to the absence of fuel, there are discomforts attending the miner’s life which are peculiar to this country. These thoughts have arisen from the evidence we have received from Melbourne, Sydney, and the Northern Island .of New Zealand, of an impression which generally prevails that our gold regions are rich beyond description, and vast beyond calculation, an impression which is leading to a perfect avalanche of population, inevitably tending to future suffer, ing of no ordinary character and intensity. It\s well that these facts should be extensively known, and that this increasing nish should be arrested before it is too late On the continent of Australia, the evil attending such rushes is comparatively trifling to what it would be where the ocean is traversed in pursuit of the new field. From the loth August to the 11th of this month, no less than twenty vessels have arrived in the harbour of Dunedin, nominally bringing 1809 passengers, but really landing some 2300; and, as the spring advances, these numbers —unless the truth be stated—will be greatly increased. And, should other fields not be discovered, vast multitudes -will be suddenly thrown out of employment, "without the means of obtaining their daily food, and dependent on public or private charity. We would entreat all intending diggers carefully to consider what has been here adduced. The argument does not apply to those who have capital to invest, be it only .£2OO or £3OO, as there is an abundance of" fine land to fie readily obtained 5 but we would earnestly invite those to pause who possess nothing beyond the ordinary implements of a digger’s occupation, before they exchange their present home for another which may not offer the same attraction, and may be surrounded with untold evil. The silence of Government may be construed into an intimation that as yet there is no sure evidence of either a very extensive or a very rich gold field.