THE WAIPORI DIGGINGS. RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 33, 23 December 1861, Page 4

THE WAIPORI DIGGINGS.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT.

The folloaving report has been placed at our disposal for publication. Latest accounts from the Waipori speak of nearly every one leaaung, oaving to the- scarcity of provisions. Some avere tavo days avith out food. Mauy talk of returning. Constable Garvey's report does him much credit for its clear aud lucid terms in avhich it is couched : — Police Department, Dunedin, 20th December, 1861. Mounted Constable Garvey reports, for the information of the Commissioner of Police, that in compliance avith the instructions of yesterday's date he proceeded to the Diggings on the Lammerlaw Creek, which empties itself into the Waipori river, distant from Dunedin about 40 miles, avhere he found about 400 miners, 300 of whom avere at avork on the banks of the creek for a distance of five miles. The creek and its tributaries and adjacent gullies shew the ordinary indications of a gold-bearing country, and may yet be found a very prod uctive gold field ; but at present no good yields have- been obtained, except by the prospectors (Hughes and party) who stated that they had got 50 oz. of coarse gold, in avhich avas a nugget 2 davts. and 14 grains, the result of four aveeks' avork; 36 ozs. of avhich they found in the bed of the creek, the result of four days' avork. The length of the creek is about 9 miles ; its widthvaries from 100 yards to 40 feet. Depth of sinking from 3to 10 feet, rocky bottom; very little washdirt procured in the crevices of the rocks, aadiich rise to the surface. There avere about 1000 miners on the creek on the morning of yesterday, the most of whom came from Tuapeka and Wetherstone's gully. They avere leaving in hundreds to return to the scene of their former labours. Several avere met on their avay to Dunediii to spend the Christmas. The avant of provisions is seriously felt by those noav on the diggings, and sevejral avere compelled to leaa7e on that account. It is very probable that about 100 avill remain to thoroughly prospect the place. Tliere is no store of auy description on the creek. The nearest place avhere provisions may be procured is at the accommodation house on the Waipori river, distant 8 miles. Constable Garvey avent to all the miners, avho collected in clusters on his approach, and made minute enquiries regarding the yield of gold. He gives below the statements of some of the most intelligent miners avith whom he conversed : — 1 George Hughes and mates (prospectors) stated

they had been at avork four weeks, and found 50 ozs. —36 of avhich they found in the bed of the creek. John Luck and mates sunk 4 holes—found 1 oz. in one, the others only the colour. Wm. Sharp sunk tavo holes in a blind gulley—found 20 specks. John Roche washed a dishful of stuff in constable Gara^ey's presence, whicli contained about 2 grains. Bill Bennett and mates sunk three holes each, and found only the colour in each. Fergusm and mates sunk 4 holes, in avhich they found"2 dwts. Daniel Paul found 5 davts. in 3 holes—John O'Shannassy and mates found 2 grains in a hole sunk by him. Constable Garvey avould beg to add, that the miners were of opinion that if they had sluice boxes it avould pay to avork the creek.

(Before J. Gillies, Esq., R.M.) Friday, 20th December. Gus. Fox, for drunkenness, was fined 205., and 7 da}^s' imprisonment. T. Turnbull, for a similar offence, avas fined 15s, David Adam and P. Costello, for riding in such a manner as to endanger the lives and limbs of others, were fined £2 each. Alary Allen avas committed to gaol under the Vagrant Act, she having no visible or laavful means of subsistence.