THE KIMBERLEY GOLDFELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7646, 25 May 1886, Page 5

THE KIMBERLEY GOLDFELD.

The Perth Enquirer of the sth instant says:—"The goldnelds, about which so much has lately been heard, are situated nearly four hundred miles from Derby, and are also very difficult of access. None but strong well-equipped parties can hope to surmount the difficulties of the journey between Derby and the new El Dorado. An impression is abroad that) the goldtields are situated upon the banks of the Ord river, but this is a mistake. Mr. Hardman first discovered " the colour " on the banks of that river, but the diggers who proceeded to the place at onco left it, to follow up the indications found in other 'directions. About 630 ounces of gold have been unearthed, nearly the whole of which have been taken from the ground in the neighbourhood of the Elvire;, In no case, as yet known, have the prospectors suck more than 3 feet below the surface, the major portion of the gold obtained having been found among the roots of tho tussocks of apinifex, with which the district abounds. The whole country is very lightly timbered with a species of stunted white gum, which is. practically useless, except as firewood. The gold is very widely distributed, "colour" being found wherever the earth has been "panned out," but "pockets" (and these only of a very small kind) have as yet been found only in the beds of the gullies. In all probability the wealth of the district will depend upon the quartz reefs, with which it is so thickly intersected ; and judging from the quartz specimens brought from that district that we have seen, a person takinga small stamp-crushing machine there would recoup all the expenses he incurred by so doing in a couple of crushings. Several diggers lately arrived at Derby from the eastern colonies, but upon finding out that they had still 400 miles to travel before reaching the as yet really undefiued goldfielcls, they sold all their belongings and departed in disgust. That there is gold in plenty in the district is certain, but it will take much capital to properly test and fully develop the auriferous resources of the country. Poor men had better keep away from Derby, or they will arrive there only to become burdens upon a small and struggling community.