THE BUSH TO KLONDIKE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9988, 18 March 1898, Page 5

THE BUSH TO KLONDIKE.

THE WINTER IN DAWSON CITY.

(pbess association teleoram.) (Per Mariposa at Auckland.) SAN FRANCISCO, February 25. Although the journey to Dawson City at the present period of the year entails the most severe hardships, the rush of treasure seekers is already in full swing, and every north-bound boat is loaded with prospectors from all parts of the world. The only way to get into "Yukon country at this time of the year is over the Chilcoot and White Passes, and as blizzards rage there during the winter months the travellers are indeed taking their lives in their hands. An idea of the enormous extent of this flood of gold-seekers can be gathered from the fact that a fleet of no less than 125 vessels is engaged in handling the throngs of expectant humanity. The first estimates that 50,000 people would go into the Yukon country this spring have been abandoned, and it is now figured that the total will be, nearly 100,000, women and even children being in the army that is invading the frozen north. All the gold that has put in an appearance has come from a few pocket claims on the Dominion, Bonanza, and Eldorado Creeks. It is rather remarkable too that, if gold is as plentiful up there as has been said, many are coming back to civilisation with but 200 oz or 300oz as a result of all their labour, while others are writing begging letters to their friend! in America, appealing for funds with which to make the return trip. Despite all these warnings though, the people are following each other into the country like a fldck of sheep. As regards outside projects, ft is claimed that no less than seven hundred Klondike companies have been formed in different parta of the world, and as their combined capitalisation is over a billion dollars, it can be seen what a poor ohance the average stockholder has of getting his money back. The complaints of lawlessness along the trails, and the indications of serious troubles of that description later on in the spring have led to the sending by the United States of two regiments of cavalry and one of infantry to guard the property and lives of the travellers. Couriers come in over the trails from Dawson City every few days, and report that everything there is about the same and has been since winter began. About 6000 men are encamped in that vicinity, and prospecting is going on all the time despite the dangers and hardship of travel Owing to the influx of men looking for work wages have dropped to Idol an hour, and a farther decrease is anticipated as soon as the spring crowd gets in. Several beach claims have been staked out on the Eldorado, and one of them produced from a pocket not over 10ft square 8000dols of gold. A 17oz nugget was taken out the other day. Bonanza Creek is said to be producing heavily, one of the claims mining SOoz a day, and another one 2000dols a day.