THE PALMER RIVER DIGGINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4208, 15 September 1874, Page 3

THE PALMER RIVER DIGGINGS.

The following description of Palmerville is supplied by a correspondent of the CooHown Courier “ After leaving the Kennedy a few miles, a peculiar flat-topped hill appears rising abruptly from the surrounding scenery, and from this hill, about a mile or a mile and a half, the Palmer River is struck.' This is a very wide stream, about half a mile wide on the average, and masses of sand, white and glistening in the sun, show the immense power of the flood waters. The river bed is covered with a species of willow, all bending one way down the stream ; other trees and shrubs there are, but stunted in appearance ; there is a good stream of water running, and splendid feed on the left bank. Eight miles from the crossing is the township of Palmerville. A curiousshaped pyramidical hill is seen before entering the town, some four miles away, and is a prominent landmark. The township of Palmerville is pleasantly situated upon the left bank of the river, and the site is advisably chosen, the ground being high and dry ; tho main street is about two hundred yards and has stores and public-houses on both sides ; there are now six hotels, six stores, three blacksmiths, two butchers, one baker, one circulating library, one bootmaker, one Chinese store, Commissioner's camp, post-office, &c. j altogether, the town is in a fair way of doing well. The rush to Sandy Creek is over—that is to say, men are still doing ! well, but nothing to warrant any excitement has taken place recently. I hear Jessup is en route with IGOozs. ns his share; others I have hoard of having more, but of course I cannot vouch for the truth. I reserve all comments upon the rush for a future letter,, and in my next I will endeavour to give a faithful account of Sandy Creek doings, past and present. Men are repeatedly coming to tho Palmerville \yith a few pounds weight of gold, so that is a sign of general well-doing.” Another correspondent, writing on a recent date, says :—“ The Lord Ashley, this day week, took down over lOOOozs. This amount showed on the Custom House books, but it is the general opinion of those who ought to know best that fully 4000ozs. more were taken

down by passengers who neglected to pass their gold. By the Boomerang, on Wednesday, SOOSozs. 2dwts. 2grs. were shi]jped, making a total of between 9000oza. and 10,000ozs. shipped during the week ; but by tlie Boomerang a large amount of gold was also taken down without entries being passed. This is a most foolish custom, and we would warn miners against it. Under the present regulations there is no duty to pay, and it therefore costa them nothing but the trouble to pass their gold at the Customs ; yet gold not so passed is liable to forfeiture on discovery. Townsville teamsters are asking £l3O per ton from thence to the Palmer, and hard to be obtained even at that figure. This is another warning that prompt measures on the subject should be at once initiated, or where will the unfortunate diggers in that locality be when the wet season sets in and blocks communication in every direction."