THE GOLD-FIELDS.

North Otago Times, Volume IV, Issue 56, 16 March 1865, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE GOLD-FIELDS.

The fortnightly Escort returns have improved of late, and now range from 12,000 to 13,000 ozs. There is greater hope now of the gold-fields becoming permanent fields of industry. Not only is machinery being erected for deep-sinking and other operations, but the population is getting' more settled, and in several districts the cultivation of the land is proceeding apace. The following is from the," Wakatip Mail :" — " The Dunstan escort maintains a very good average, and we have heard numerous parties commenting on it with surprise and wondering where the gold came from. "We can enlighten them to a certain extent. The Cardrona contributes a very large amount, and the Nevis yield, which is very large, also goes to swell the es ort — not mentioning the banks of the Kawarau, the Moonlight, and a dozen other creeks. Gold from the Teviot, and other places not legitimately in the Dunstan district, contributes another quota; so that the Dunstan, in consequence of its banking facilities, obtains a position on the escort returns at the expense of other districts. We have no jealousy, and rather, than otherwise, congratulate our neighbors on their good fortime> and if the lands were only open we should rejoice to see tlie escorts trebled." The same paper states : — " The last escort from Queenstown showed an improvement, taking down nearly 1300 ozs, and shutting out a lot of 500 ozs. Gold is, through the fine weather, becoming more plentiful, and we contemplate a very full escort next time. Our Arrow Correspondent reported an escort of 818 ozs, exclusive of the Cardrona and Moonlight gold, which went to the Dunstan as usual. The returns, looking at the extensive preliminary works going on, are most satisfactory and assuring." The " Molyneux Mail," of the 2nd inst., gives the following satisfactory report from the Nevis: — "Accounts that are daily reaching us concerning the Nevis Rush, are extremely favorable, and we are of opinion that a prosperous and permanent goldfield exists in that direction. The township grows daily in size and appearance, and if things continue to progress as they do at present, the Nevis district will add another laurel to our Crown, and afford fresh proof of the importance of this vast and permanent gold-producing district."