The Alaskan GoldFields.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6625, 17 February 1900, Page 4

The Alaskan Gold Fields.

THE RICHEST GOLDFIELDS EVER DISCOVERED.

A GREAT INFLUX OF MINERS

EXPECTED,

(Per Moana at Auckland.)

San Francisco, January 23. Tbe official report which is nearly ready for publication will show Cape Nome to be the richest goldfields ever discovered, not excepting California, Africa, or Klondike. Several million dollors' worth were taken out last summer by a comparatively few miners <i hout appliances. It is expected fully 50,000 people will leave San Francisco for the region when the spring opens, i The Government are now considering how to take care of these men when th.y reach Cape Nome. lhere is a good natural harbor sixty miles from the goldfields, and a railroad may be built this distance. Another plan is to build a portable pier. No pier could stand the ice pressure of the winter season. The country is absolutely devoid of growth, as even the trees cannot withstand the cold. There are little bushes in the valleys, but not enough even for firewood. The President has created a new military department, consisting of the ter/itory of Alaska. Colonel Bandall, now in Cuba, will be aspigned to the command. The aotion of the Government is tantamount to the establishment -f complete military government in Alaska, and has been under consideration for some time. There is no disposition to reflect on the officials of the district, but the civil machinery is totally inadequate, and could not'be strengthened without considerable legislation and delay. In addition to the heavy immigration to Cape Nome from the world at large, Klondyke appears to be pouring its population on to these golden shores, and there is a danger of an outbreak of lawlessness, It is not believed that a large military lorce will be needed, as the miners in Alaska have always been quick to recognise the authority of the United States Government in the person of a soldier. Dawson has again suffered from a half-million dollar fire. Much Buflering followed, as the temperature at Dawson was 40 degrees below zero, with a biting wind. The city had been entirely with- } out a regular water supply for two weeks. Water was hauled from the Yukon river. Between December Ist and 20th eighteen fires occurred in the town. The blockade on the White Pass and the Yukon railway has been raised, and j the first train in the same week made a ( trial trip from Bennett to Skagway.! The miners and traders from DawßpaJ who gome .through report that the ra^i ite in splendid condition, and that the ! route established by the Canadian 4 Government -makes a saving of one I mndred miles between Dawaon and, Bennett.' I