THE REPORTED WAKATIP GOLD-FIELD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 968, 19 February 1862, Page 5

THE REPORTED WAKATIP GOLD-FIELD.

We quote, from the * Southern News,' the subjoined particulars concerning the diggings, or rather the prospecting, on the Wakatip. As yet, it will be observed, nothing out of the ordinary has been found. A few miners are going to the spot. Although somewhat nearer to Invercargill than Dunedin, the Wakatip is considerably within the Otago boundary. A trooper has been despatched' to the spot by the Chief Commissioner. He will return about Tuesday. The following is the extract referred to from the 'Southern News:'— " In an extra, issued on Tuesday, we were enabled to publish the following report from Corporal Morton, of the Mounted Police, to Mr Eraser, Chief Constable, of the result of his visit last week to the young gold digging now in course of being prospected on Mr Rodger's run in the Wakatip Lake district. It will be seen that there is nothing very exciting or startling in the news Mr Morton has brought; but it has this great advantage over the rumours that were before in circulation—that it is recent, direct, and reliable. It will not stimulate a rush, neither will it deter from going those who were previously preparing to join the pioneer diggers. The district will soon be prospected. Stores have been already sent from In vercargill and, we believe, Riverton; and Mr J. H. Stirling, of this town, has organised a party of practical diggers, all old Victorians, all very steady, and provided with proper appliances, such as Galifornian pumps, long toms, sluices, &c. This party starts to-day for the Wakatip, and they have been preceded by a smaller party, which started yesterday afternoon. No further news of moment has been received since Corporal Morton's return. "Police Station,-Invercargill, "3rd Feb. 1862. " Corporal Morton has the honour to report for the information of the Chief Constable,—That on Thursday, the 30th nit., I visited the gold diggings situated on Mr. Rodger's run, in the Wakatip district, about 115 miles from--fiwercargill, having a dray track within one mile of the place. "I arrived at the gold workings about noon, and found seven men in two parties—three in one party, and four in the other—in a gully about a mile long, situated between the Bold Hill and Castle Hill, and upon very high ground. "On my making known to the diggers the cause of my visit, they unhesitatingly gave me all the information I deemed necessary. They said they had b&eii prospecting in that place for more than a month, and that they were obliged to abandon prospecting in the most likely places for want of pumps. They al»o_showed me from 3 to 4 ounces of coarse waterworn gold, which they said they had got in the guilty they were working in. " The party of four washed down their sluice in i»y presence, and for about three hours' work they liad 3 dwts. of the same description of gold. They also stated that, by working regularly, they could make from 3s. to 10». per day per man; but as their object was prospecting, and the country presenting much the appearance of a gold-bearing district, they were decided on prospecting further, in the hope of getting a better paying goldfield. They complained of the want of necessary tools, especially pumps. " I have to state that the sinking in the gulley was from two to six feet deep. "Edward Morton, " Corporal of Mounted Police." To the Chief Constable.