EARLY GOLD RUSHES

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 10

EARLY GOLD RUSHES

RELICS OF DUNEDIN'S EXCITING PAST ARMED ESMRT BRINGS 600 OUNCES OF GOLD TO TOWN NEWSPAPER " EXTRA ” OF EARLY DAYS Afemories of picturesque and exciting events in the history ol Dunedin, when mounted and armed escorts dashed into the town from the goldfields of Otago in charge of heavy consignments of tlie precious metal are recalled by the finding of the first “extra” about gold published by the ‘Colonist,’ a newspaper of those early days. Friday, April 13, 1861, is the date of the extra, the captions of which are ‘ Latest from the Tuapeka Gold Diggings ’ and ‘ Arrival of His Honour the Superintendent and the Gold Escort.’ “ His Honour the Superintendent arrived from the Tuapeka goldfields this afternoon, having left on Thursday,” states the extra. “ The gold escort—quite a novelty in this province—the arrival of which has been anxiously looked for by the inhabitants still remaining in Dunedin, including a large number of those who are waiting to see what chances of success exist before they make up their minds whether to go to the diggings or not —also came in, bringing 600 oz of gold. “ Largo numbers of intending diggers had arrived, and were continually arriving from Dunedin and various parts of the province. The number of persons at present on the goldfields is estimated at 1,000: the number engaged in the operations of digging for the precious metal is about 700. “ The goldfields present a very busy 'appearance. Drays, loaded, with provisions, picks, spades, and shovels, and all the implements used in gold digging —perfect and imperfect—tents of all descriptions and sizes, etc., were quickly pouring in. “The news received is most encouraging, which is sufficiently shown by the gold ’ escort, consisting of several mounted police, headed by His Honour the Superintendent, and accompanied also by several horsemen, including Mr Gibson, having brought 600 oz of gold, which was deposited in the Union Bank immediately on arrival except lOOoz which came down privately. The escort arrived about 4 o'clock and caused great excitement, several hundreds of persons having assembled to witness it. “ The weather has been very fine at the diggings; and out of the thousand persons now congregated together between seven and eight hundred were actually at work. In fact, a person just arrived states that, notwithstanding the numbers of people daily arriving. they almost immediately seemed to disappear. “The gold generally found is of a rough and scaly nature. Air Miller s party of seven had obtained m one day 38oz and a few dwt. and in nine days the total obtained by the same party was 1270 z. ’ “ Mr Peter Lindsay and party, consisting of three, deposited 490 z sdwt in the Oriental Bank this day—the produce of three days’ work. “ His Honour, the superintendent, soon after his arrival, examined the various claims of the diggers. The diggings are forthwith to be dcclaied a ‘ gold field ’ according to the Act. “A large meeting bad been held on the diggings at which the superintendent was present. There was some ” ls " mission regarding the road from lokomairiro to the diggings which with little improvement, it was ascertained, could be.made a very good one. The licensing question also came in tor discussion, the opinion of the diggers being unanimously expressed against the establishment of licensed houses—not a dissenting voice was heard. “ The best possible order was being preserved by the diggers. The mles lately brought into operation amongst the diecers were working bcnenciaily. AN EARLY AIAP. Another interesting relic of the goldmining days is a ‘ Miner’s Guide,’ which is in the form of a map showing the various routes from Dunedin to tbe new fields. It is inscribed: “No map crenuinc without my signature in common ink,” and is signed by John Graham, the postmaster at Dunedin qt those days, and a person closely identified with the early life of the place and the mining industry. One of the routes marked is by way of Waikouaiti, Palmerston, and Rough Ridge, a distance of 128 miles to the Dunstan, part of the journey being described as dangerous in foggy weather and in winter. Another route was via the Upper Taieri Ferry, along the Taieri River through Thompson’s, and over the Rock and Pillar, a journey of 100 miles. The third route was known as the ‘Red Coats’ Route to Gabriel’s Gully,” the journey this way traversing the Upper Taieri Ferry, the Waipon diggings and over the Lammermoor Ranges and past Long Valley. The spelling of some of the names on the map is worthy of interest. especially in the ca.se of Ala mi Heri Kia. which is now given as one word, Alannherikia. These interesting relics of an important period in Dunedin’s history arc in the possession of a. Dunedin resident, who obtained them from his late father, and it is understood that he intends to present them to the Early Settlers’ Association, to whoso already comprehensive collection they will make a valuable addition.