DISCOVERY OF AN EXTENSIVE GOLDFIELD IN NEW SOUTH WALES. [From the "Bathurst Fice Press," May 15.]

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 536, 4 June 1851, Page 3

DISCOVERY OF AN EXTENSIVE GOLDFIELD IN NEW SOUTH WALES. [From the "Bathurst Fice Press," May 15.]

The existence of gold in the Wellington th-,trict has for a long time been an asreriamcd fact, but public attention has never until now been seriously drawn to

the circumstance. A little temporary curiosity would occasionally be excited whenever news were spread abroad, that old M'Gregor, the gold-finder from that district, had passed per moil to the metropolis, as wai alwajs believed, laden with auriferous treasure. This subsided, npthing more would be heard of the matter for a long interval, than an occasional rumour that he had rejected some tempting offer, held out by a Sydney jeweller, or Wellington settler, as an inducement to disclose the sectet of the locale, whence his treasure was derived. It is sufficient for the present purpose to state, that the progress he made in life, with no other ostensible mpans of earning money than shep* herding and gold-finding, hns always been regarded as presumptive evidence of his success in the latter vocation. The arrival of Mr. Hargreaves in Bathurst on Tuesday evening last, who, it was generally known had been in communication tvith government respecting discoveries made by him of exteusive gold deposits in ourcismontane region, has now brought Ihe subject more prominently before our Bathurst public. On, Thursday evening, he invited a few gentlemen to meet him at Mr. Arthur's Inn, with the object of com* municating such information as he had obtained upon this interesting lubject, in his recent explorations, and the readiness and intelligence which he displayed in answering the numerous questions addressed to him, showed satisfactorily that he not only possessed an in» timate knowledge of gold-mining in all its branches, but was desirous of giving every possible information upon the matter connected with hii risit. From the running conversation which was kept up for several hours we gleaned the following particulars. Mr. Hargraves, who has spent nearly two years at the California diggingi, returned to this colony in January last, having, as he states, vvhilit there, derived considerable information from the Mexican miners, whom he represents, as by far the best and most successful diggers. Struck by the similarity of the geological formation and external physical characterestic* of certain portiom of this colony and the California gold fields, he was induced, at his own expense, and on his own responsibility, to visit this and the neigh* bouring diitricts to institute a personal examination. His researches, have been crowned with success. After riding about 300 miles, so as to intersect the country at numerous, points, and spending from two to three montho iv the prosecution of hii object, Mr. Hargraves states as the result of his observations, that from the foot of the Big Hill to a considerable distance below Wellington, on the Macquarie, is one vast gold field, that he has actually discovered the precious metal in numberless places, and that indications of its existence are to be seen in every direction. Indeed, so satisfied is he on this point, that he has established a company of nine working miners who are now actively employed, digging at a point of the Sutnmec Hill Creek near its junction with the Macquarie, about fifty miles from Bathurst, and thirty from Guy* ong. Ophir is the name given to these diggings. Several samples of fine gold were shown to the company by "Mr. Hargraves, weighing in all about foor ounces —the produce, he stated, of three day's digging. The amount thus earned by each man he represented to be £2 4s, Sd. per day, but he observed that, from want of practical knowledge, and proper implements he was convinced that nearly one-half of the gold actually dug had been lost, owing to the labour being performed in his absmce. One of the samples produced was a solid piece, weighing about two ounces, and was fonnd at the diggings attached to the root of a tree, by Mr. John Lyster, who is one of the company. Another sample consisted of small pieces, weighing from several grains to a pennyweight, all elongated, and of various shapes: and a third of small flat particles, principally oval. The large niece, which appears as if it had been in a state of fusion, is intended by Mr. Hargraves aB a present to his Excellency the Governor. The only process through which the above samples htid passed was the washing, which had been performed by Mr. Hargraves him." self. The principal localities mentioned by Mr. Hargraves, where he had discovered gold, weie Summer Hill, Guyong, and Lewis' Pond Creeks. He also found gold at Dubbo, below Wellington, which he stated to be in powder, fine as the finest flour, but so far as he could judge from the opportunities he had, it did not exist m sufficient quantity to pay for the necessary labour. From the nature of some of the country explored by him, he is of opinion that gold will be found in mass, and would not be surprised if pieces of 30 or 40 lbs. should be discovered. He had seen no country in California which promised metal in such heavy maizes. This description of country he represents as not being desirable as a field of speculation. One or two occupied thereon might be lucky enough to find a lump, but their companions would expend much toil and probably obtain nothing, whilst the ground which yielded the " dmt" or large particle* could be calculated fupon as returning certain remuneration for a given quantity of labour. We are assured by Mr. Hargraves that there exists an opening for an unlimited supply of labour in the vicinity of the diggings already opened by him, but he holds out no florid hopes. He makei no unreasonable or exaggerated statements. His arguments and representations simply amount to this, that there exists in the neighbouring districts an exteniive gold field, but whether a rich or a remunerative field of labour he does not undertake to say. This question remains to be solved by actual trial. We have now given the' principal item* of information connected with this important and interesting subject. In the atatements made we do not intend to incur any responsibility. We tell the story as 'twas told to us. The suddenness with which the announcement of a discovery of such magnitude has come upon us—a discovery which must, if true, be productive of such gigantic results not only to the inhabitants of these districts but to the whole colony, affects the the mind with astonishment and wonder in such a manner as almost to unfit it for the deductions of plain truth, sober reason, and common sense. Mr. Hargraves is an intelligent, an educated, and we^ believe a respectable man. His manner it quiet and uuobtrusive. He does not seek to thrim his information upon the people, but when questioned, answers modestly and intelligibly any question put to him. The atteution paid fo him by Government is some guarantee of liis respectability and acquaintance with with the subject, and there really does appear such an absence of any reasonable motive to mislead thepublic, that though we do not comprehend all we have beard Irom him, we are not piepared to diVbelieve it. He started yeiterday for Coomingi to join Mr. Stutchbury, the Government geologist, who, we are infoimed will accompany him to the diggings. The matter will therefore be quickly placed beyoad the reach of suspicion or incredulity.

[From the Batlm st Correspondent of the Sydney M rninff Herald, M»y 15.] Gold, Gold, Gold.—lf any one is incredulous as to the fact of gold having been found in these districts, they need not be incredulous any longer. I have myself i,eei) it, and I am perfectly satisfied there is no deception in the matter. Thiee peisona started from

BatbmsC on S-Uurday last, one of th^m an t-xj-er^sicccl iMind from California On Monday two of them returtied, brJns'n.' witli them one piece whtcli just t?ci/ned dowa thirty ~ fire (35) sovereigns ; another piece which weired about half-an ounce ; and severnl «.mr.!l nieces, which tnigbt weigh half-an ounce oltog;fthc». The largest piece appear-, to be solid gold, nnd %notl judges inform me it is. It \a about three inche-_ long, die breadth and thickness viryin-;. In shape it ap peart like a piece of lewd which has undergone the action of fire, and when in a liqvvd state been (hrown carries y ftmo-igst ashen or tubb'sh. In the. thickest portion a small piece of quartz, about half an inch in diameter is embedded, but whether st adds much to the weight I can»«t decte'e 'Jy say. My opinion however is, that it does not. The smallest piece or lump apponrs peifectly {me, nnd the Mii-il'^sr pieers look like gpan«U>B, only that ins'i'.'ul of bewz smooth they are roujih, and uneven on (he k!-^, inclimne, more to «« oblong than an oral sh»rc. The Urjrt- p"ece has since been told to Mr. Auhtin for £00. On Tuesd.y, about two pounds and a biilf of gcild in lumps w a <, brought into the town, beside-- a quantity of du*t. Parties for the diggings are forming in every direction and marhine-, n-e Ueing constructed for waging tlie soil, eand, Sec. 1 bope that the Gi.veniment will see the necessity of imn^cdta'ely streugiliening 'he horn* of the local authorities, by adding to the nnmher of the constabulary, or by forming a seperatc corps to preserve peace ao<3 order in these dts nets, for I assure you I much fear that crima and outrage of every description will soon be the order of the day. J b?*r that llu\e are upwnrds of tuo hundred persons on thd gold ground, and the number h daily increasing.