THE NEW GOLDFIELDS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1006, 20 September 1872, Page 3

THE NEW GOLDFIELDS.

Referring to the new goldfield in the Northern territory, private letters confirm the reports of gold bearing country extending over many miles ; but they all agree in the statement that the climate is intensely hot, equal almost to that of Florida ; and to new arrivals extremely unhealthy. It is said that the goldfields never will be thoroughly developed, or profitably worked without the employment of coolie or native labor during the hotter months ot the year, as the yield, from present indications, will never permit of Europeans remaining in enforced idleness for several months upon the chance of earning sufficient to repay them during two or three month's work.

The following is the substance of a letter dated Palmerston, May 31, rckich has been received from Captain Vestcott, of the Northern Territory Prospecting Association, and published •n the ' South Australian Eegister':— "I have to report that I left Southport on April 25, and arrived at the locality of Mr M'Lachlan's diggings otJ May 30. I had to make the road tte whole of the way, and bridge "eeks. I only stopped one day at Gaudy is Gully, selected a site for the ? a tnp, and prepared for the return journey for a supply of provisions, leaving Hulbert in command. He and the three men with him are to prospect until my return. From Mount Tim to

No. 2 depot the country has every appearance of being auriferous, and from M'Minu's Bluff to as far as I proceeded towards the Cullcn liver. I was seven days on my return to Southport, stopped there one day, and yesterday had all the horses, which are in good working condition, and staunch, shod. 1 should not have used so much hasto in returning expecting that the country was all burnt. I left direction to burn it about the diggings, The prospect I got was not payable, but then 1 had but little time in which to rr>spect. I am, however, perfectly saiisficd of the existence of a good goldfield, and 1 want only time and provisions to enable me to develope it. This judgment I have formed from the little time I had for inspection. I prospected creeks and places where 1 could get gravel on the way down, and always got gold. In some instances it was my opinion that I should have obtained good gold if I could have made a more thorough trial. It will take two days to shoe the horses. The small waggon has gone nearly to pieces, it never having been strong. As the road is now good I think the large one will be much better. Mr M'Lachlan has arrived overland, and I will probably get some more information. The reefs in the neighborhood of Gaudy's Gully look remarkably well, and I believe from the prospect got on the hills of leafy gold that rich reefs are to be found. I shall not make much haste in my trip up, as there is any amount of likely country to prospect on the way. There is no game in the country to speak of, and any rush of diggers with swags and only a pound or two would simply starve. I think as soon as lam able to do some work in the field I shall be able to do good and send satisfactory results. The climate at the goldfield is now cool and pleasant. At the present time many men can do as much as in South Australia.