THE GULGONG DIGGINGS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 884, 7 November 1871, Page 2

THE GULGONG DIGGINGS.

(" Sydney News " October 19.) The usual fornightlv escort left Gulgong on Thursday last, conveying 87400z ldwt 7grs of gold—an amount that was only surpassed by the escort from the Lachlan gold-field once or twice in the zenith of its yield. It was generally believed, says the local paper, that this escort would be over 7000oZj but few thought it would be one-fourth larger than the estimate. As we stated some time ago, it will happen that the amount transmitted by escort will vary considerably just as the claims on gold wash up. Doubtless this splendid yield for a fortnight will create a sensation in many ways and lead to an influx of population from all quarters and all occupations. If it do, we really regret it, for large as is the quantity, it is the produce of comparatively few claims. There has been little alteration in the prospects of the gold field during the past week. The Moonlight and Caledonian leads have been talked of, and a little speculation in shares has taktn place. On the south end of the former lead payable prospects have been obtained in No. 8, but the trial washing of fifteen or twenty loads is the only reliable test for this locality. As this lead runs north, water will be met with, a probability that checks speculation materially. The Caledonian Laad, of which much was expected has yet its name to make. As many of the claims on its north extension are now sinking in earnest, another week or two will enable a reliable opinion to be formed of its value. There can be little doubt but that a payable lead of gold exists in the vicinity,, which, as is oftentime the case, will be easily found, possibly when the place is abandoned by its first occupants. The Canadian Lead is improving, and is held inhigh estimation by many. Several shafts are now being sunk in Scott's free selection, which divides the lead near the prospectors, the ground north and south of it being Crown lands. The Helvetia lead is being thoroughly tested, but though the prospectors report that they are on payable gold, and obtain high prospects, the lead has not yet been traced away from their claim, except in No. 1 West. There is no extension of the Black Lead to report, the basalt being a tough difficulty to overcome. On the Happy Valley litigaiim reigns supreme, thanks to the frontage regulations, and the careless way the claims have been surveyed. The exodus to the Currajong has ceased, the Gulgong contingent to it being about 2,000. The reports from it are fluctuating, and the opinion of those who have visited the rush and returned is not a favorable one as to its exteut. Population is still pouring in here daily, principally from the other colonies ; and if the Currajong rush proves to be only a patch, nearly all who have left will wend their way back here. Quartz reefing is being vigorously developed, and promises soon to be an important contribution to the escort. Arrangements are being made in Sydney, we are informed, for another crushing machine, which with that of the Golden Hill Company, ought to be kept busy the year through. On the whole, though the population has much decreased, and no new ground has been opened, mining matters, though quiet, are not dull. Speculation is quiet, and people are settling down, being more content, aud not holding such extravagant ideas of the future of the goldfield as they did.