LATEST INTELLIGENCE FROM THE OTAGO MINING DISTRICTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1086, 8 April 1863, Page 2

LATEST INTELLIGENCE FROM THE OTAGO MINING DISTRICTS.

Since the publication of our summary for Europe we have not had to record anything of unusual interest in connection with the gold fields. There is now an almost entire absence of the exciting incidents which have been rife during the previous months. This may be ascribed to the fact of the mining population having become more steadily fixed on the various localities, and not so much given to rushing about after fresh discoveries. Everything denotes steady prosperity; the miners, as a body, were never doing better, and the escort returns conclusively prove that the Otago gold fields are far more remunerative to the miners than any others extant. The largest returns continue to be made from the Wakatipu, and the greatest proportion of the gold from that field is got on the Arrow and Shotover rivers. It was thought probable that the approach of winter would induce a considerable number of the miners, particularly those working in the more outlying localities, to leave the Lake diggings until spring. It appears, however, that except in the highest and most exposed parts of the country, the winter season at Lake Wakatipu does not possess any particular severity, the greatest and almost the only danger to be apprehended, being the cutting off of the communications by the drifting of the snow. The old settlers in the district are unanimous in this opinion, and, acting upon it, the miners appear determined to winter it out, if possible. For this purpose, all who possess the means are busy laying in provisions and warm clothing, with the intention of remaining through the season, as the fall of the numerous auriferous streams is expected to cause mining operations to be even still more profitable in winter than summer. On the various digging townships substantial huts of wood or turf are springing up rapidly, and there is not as yet the slightest indication of a repetition of the inconsiderate rush from the gold fields which occurred last winter. Provisions on all the diggings, particularly at Lake Wakatipu, are very plentiful, although the rise in cartage rates has occasioned a proportionate increase in the cost of supplies. Snow has already begun to fall in several localities, and the mountains are gradually assuming their wintry caps. Considerable interruption to the mining operations has been caused by the holidays in connection with St. Patrick's day. The Wakatipu folks went in thoroughly for enjoyment, and the lake afforded the means for an unusual addition to gold fields' amusements in the shape of a regatta. The usual athletic and other sports kept the locality alive for the time allotted to the holidays. The Molyneux has not yet reached the longwished for low limit. The water rises and falls in a most provoking manner, but still mining aflairs continue in a prosperous condition. The escort returns show a steady improvement, which will no doubt increase as the season advances. The recently appointed Mining Surveyor for the Dunstan, Mr. Coates, has reported the discovery of very fair prospects, on a range 350 feet above the level of the river. The gold is described as being rough and nuggety. Up to the publication of our last summary the escort returns for the current year showed a total up till the 13th March, of 162,5710z. Since that period the following escorts have been received Ozs. dwts. March 24th 13,308 15 March 31st 15,925 17 29,233 12 The latter escort does not include any gold from Tuapeka, or the Woolshed, the escort' from those districts not yet being to hand, otherwise over 17,000 ozs. would have been returned for the week. These facts speak volumes, and render any further comment unnecessary. Gold is now being shipped in considerable quantities direct to London. The Star of Tasmania and Aboukir both sailed yesterday, their united cargoes comprising 4,185 bales of wool and 62,9870zs of gold. The accounts from the Te Anan Lake, and Switzer's and the Nokomai are not so good as was reported some time back.

Dr. Hector returned from his exploration overland to the West Coast on the 18th, and we published, on the following day, a highly interesting report, from the pen of our special reporter, Mr. Sullivan, who accompanied Dr. Hector the whole distance. The party succeeded, after overcoming fearful obstacles, in reaching within eight miles of the beach in the neighbourhood of Jackson's Bay, but were then compelled to return, owing to the want of provisions. No geological discoveries of any importance were made, the object of the expedition being more particulai ly to ascertain the general character of this hitherto unknown region. Dr. Hector strongly recommends the undertaking of a thorough geological survey from the sea, and it is not unlikely that an expedition will be despatched after the winter. Meantime several private exploring parties are being formed, and one has already left for the coast via Nelson and the Buller River, in the brig Adolph. The party consisted of old well-known miners, whose names we published in our columns a few days ago. Quite a chapter of horrors will be found recorded in our columns during the past ten days. A very severe gale on Sunday week last, followed by a shock of earthquake, caused several very melancholy and fatal accidents. Three men were drowned by the upsetting of a boat in the harbor, and three others (fishermen) have been lost outside the heads. The steamer Planet went ashore on the inner bar of the Taieri river, and has gone to pieces. A medical practitioner, named Green, supposed to be from Goulburn, in N.S.W., committed suicide a few days ago, by taking strychnine. The postmaster at the Arrow river, Mr. A. Macaulay, cut his throat in a fit of temporary insanity; and lastly, a most horrible murder has been committed at Miller's flat, between Tuapeka and the Dunstan, particulars of which appeared in our last few issues. The murderer has not yet been captured, although the police are confident of arresting liim in a few days.—Daily Times, April 2.