THE NEW GOLDFIELDS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1005, 17 September 1872, Page 2

THE NEW GOLDFIELDS.

Latest Australian files, up to the 7th instant, contain more definite news than has been heretofore received from the scene of gold prospecting operations near Port Darwin, as also from Queensland. The place reported on near Port Darwin is at Westcotu's Creek, which lies 120 miles inland, and apparently in the direction of the Koper. It is also, only seven miles from the overland telegraph line. A reef has been discovered and traced for about three miles, forming a well defined line of reef, showing gold plainly in the surface stone. The whole of the line was pegged out, and about fifty men were on the ground, either working or preparing for work. The account states that there is a wide field for a large population, but as for their obtaining remunerative work that is a matter that, of course, has to be tested. The ground being near a telegraph station, that of Yam Creek, full and frequeut reports of the progress of thegoldfieldmay be expected. The telegrams already received reiterate the caution that all who go with the intention of mining must be well provided with all necessaries, including horses and drays. Tiny also remind persons meditating a trip that the wet season will soon begin, and will suspend all traffic till February. This news may perhaps have the effect of allaying some restless excitement amongst West Coast minors. The news of the extensive gold discoveries in North Queensland has aided to the excitement in Victoria mining districts, and Chatres, or Charters Towers now divides attention with the Eoper. The following particulars of the latter field are published by the 'Northern Miner.':

The predictions of mineralogists and geologists have at length beeu realised. A gold field has been discovered in Northern Queensland which will, be a formidable rival to the best fields discovered in any of the colonies. This is not too much to say of Charters Towers, for each day adds to the already existing proof of the vast extent and great richness of the field. Of course we cannot pronounce authoritatively that the reefs will go down, but everything indicates that they will do so. The walls are good, the reefs are well defined, and most of them are traced for a considerable length in the ground : many are tested at a fair depth, and all have turned out well. Had the goldfield been confined to reefs alone its importance could not be over-rated, but, as most of our readers are aware, a few days ago alluvial was found, which has every indication of becoming an important lead. It is deep sinking, too, or what must be called deep sinking in Queensland —that is, from 20ft to 30ft, and so far it gives a very good promise. Iu speaking of this field, we must not confine ourselves even to the reefs and alluvial that are within the radius of 10 or 12 miles of the Towers. The Scotchman's Eeef, 10 miles from Broughton, is scarcely the beginniug of the field, and from that reef a series of others have been already discovered, existing over a tract of country from 30 to 40 miles in length, and we must bear in mind that the country has not been half prospected yet. When it has been longer opened, and when the increase in population—which will come within a few mouths has prospected the field, it will be found that the whole country from the Cape to Eavenswood is intersected with reefs in any number.

Six months ago Charters Towers was a place unknown. Scarcely that time has elapsed since Messrs Mossman and party applied for their pros-

pecting claim on what is known as tho North Australian line. During that short time wh&t a change has taken place. Several hundred reefing claims are now occupied ; thousands of tons of quartz are stacked, ready for carting to the machines so soon as the owners are so fortunate as to get a chance to put their stone through; two main townships and several smaller ones have sprung into existence as by magic, the buildings being of a very extensive description, very different from what one would expect to see on a new rush; five quartz-crushing machines, in all 63 head of stamps, are on the ground, and the quantity of stone in tho various yards is sufficient proof of the amount of work they will have. The population is daily increasing, and now numbers, we should judge, about 3,000. The alluvial to which we have alluded was discovered near the Queensland Reef.. The sinking is from 10ft to 30ft. The wash is from 2ft to 3ft thick, and the prospects are very good, the wash getting better as it goes with the deep ground. About a mile and a half has been pegged out on the supposed line of the lead, and most of those employed seem to have good hopes of success. The gold is of a very good quality, rough, but it does not appear'lo have travelled far The sinking and tho wash dirt are similar to those at the White Hill Lead on the C -pe. ' e ' Northern Miner,' also gives a lis'; - >f the crushiugs at the three local mtk-.iines since the Ist July. Without counting the rich stone from the Broughton goldfield, of which no return has yet been obtained, there have beenl,373£tons of the Charters Towers reefs crushed, with a yield of 3,9700z Bdwt Bgr, being at an average of about 2oz 18dwt to the ton.