A PILGRIMAGE TO KIMBERLY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2443, 2 November 1886, Page 2

A PILGRIMAGE TO KIMBERLY

Wklwvo beeu favored by Mr J. Lyons .with tho following account of his trip to Kimberley and back:—l loft Wellington per s.s. Triumph on the 6th of July hut with a party" of seven with horsos and as complete an outfit as experience and money could put together, and after an extremely fine passage,of twenty days we arrived at Derby, After a fow days we got all our things landed with tho exception of about £4O worth of provisions, which the people of the Triumph failed to account for. We hunted about Derby to geUewß from tho fiold, but could get vory little, the only person who had come from tho field was Sergeant' Troy, whoso accounts were highly colored and contained only a little truth. However, wo started on tho road up. At the first oamp, Nobbie's Well, we ascertained that Borne of tho prospectors'were at Eda Station (a|sheep arid cattle et-ation twentyfive milos. from Derby 1 had here an interview with Slatery who told me' Hall was in Perth claiming the Government reward, Maokay was butchering, another was shearing, and another contract fencing, aud he was spelling. He was very candid and truthful; He told mo that no one who had beou on tbo field had made expenses and when ho went back he did not know where to look for a pennyweight of gold. Howevor we proceeded on our journey. After leaving Eda Station wo began to meet' people coming back by the dozen, who gave' doleful accounts qf the supposed field,' and each day the number kept increasing, Many of these were old arid experienced tniuers with plenty of horse's and provisions, and complete outfits, scouring tho country in parties. Some in two months had obtained an ounce, and some a few pennyweights, and all experienced miners were making their way baok, and only greenhorns were on tho field. Two hundred miles from Derby we met a man who was the only one who gave a good, account. Ho had been in the Kimberly district about four years, and before we parted he tried hard to sell us five horses ho had with him at a vory low rate. About 220 miles from Derby wo crossed tho Fitzroy River, and we were then in what is known as the Leopold Karjßßß, whibhhave been exteusively prospected and the color obtained on the surface, but nothing payable. The poiut of attraction for everyone was McPhee's gully, but it had been worked a score of times without succoss. Hall's oreek arid Hall's gully and McPhee's gully, iu whioh all tho gold of any consequence has been obtainod, being totally worked out, evoryone has to prospect on his own account. After seeing the state of things and the fact that 4000 men had visited tho field, and as far as I could loam only about 300 remained, 1 decided to join the majority and go back with my dearly bought experience. Tho rest of tho party dooided to remain with tho hope of something turnine up, which may, and I believe will—in the reefs but not alluvial. This won't suit private parties, considering the distance from port and supplies, It is an enterprise for companies with plenty of capital.

The country from Eda station for about 200 miles up the Fitzroys iagood pastoral land, being well watered and grassed, but it is more adapted for cattle, as it is of sandy nature, and sand gets in the wool, There is a plant there near the water's odgo, which kills horses or sheep but does not affect cattle, On crossing the Fitzroy river the country is barren red iron atone, growing a grass called spinifec whioh no atook will eat. The King Sound Pastoral Company are the largest stook owners thero. Game is plentiful. The biaoks are a harmless race of people, and no one need evorfear them as they are very frightened of fire-arms, Snakes are innumerable, aud the small common fly is the greatest pest. The climate is very trying, and I havo been informed on good authority that tho rainy aoason is very unhoalthy. Last rainy season at Derby there was a population of M people, and out of that number only four escaped having low fever, whioh is worse than fever ague. The only paying industry about Derby is pearling, and a (>mt many are doing well at it, Anyone who has not left Derby before Novombor will not get away for three months, there being no communication owing to what is | known as" Willy Willy" and " (Jock-eyed Bobs," a speoies of oyolone, Things are I very cheerLig in Derby, and better than described. I took passage per s.s. Otway for Froemantle, and from there to Melbourne via Oapo Lewin, arriving last Friday by s.s. Tarawera in Wellington,, having gone via Torres Straits. I have sailed round the continent of Australia, and seen a good deal, and called in many places, but as far as my observations go New Zealand with its genial climate, its profitable agricultural and pastoral industries and minerals is far and away the best of the colonies. I do not think I nood advise anyone not to go to Kiraberley, but if anybody wishes to go for a trip and ib at a loss where to go, sail round the continent of Australia, and they'will return satisfied if not pleased.