A WARNING VOICE FROM THE PALMER RUSH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4229, 9 October 1874, Page 3

A WARNING VOICE FROM THE PALMER RUSH.

, (Prom the Otago Daily Times, October 1.) Having ascertained that two, diggers, named respectively Messrs. Peter and Robert Anderson, have '■ just arrived here froiri .the Palmer River goldfields, pur reporter , waited upon them last evening, to obtain authentic information. They were passengers by the Albion. They were amongst the, first'who arrived, at the Palmer as soon as the rush broke out, nearly twelve months ago. . Before proceeding thither, they had been engaged in alluvial mining on the West Coast, and had also been at the New South Wales diggings. They were at the Hokitika rush in 1864. Mr. P. Anderson informed us that they did very well at alluvial digging on the Palmer, which they left about six weeks ago. The time occupied in reaching Cooktown was about six days,: and having remained, there a fortnight they proceeded to Melbourne via Sydney, and thence to Dunedin. There were about 8000 Europeans and 700 or 800 Chinamen at the Palmer when the Messrs. Anderson left;. The claims are so shallow and narrow that they are speedily worked out. Quartz-reefing will have to be resorted to before the Palmer can support a population. In • Mr. ,P. Anderson's opinion the alluvial diggings on the Palmer proper are completely worked out. They did not last any time. In consequence of that he would not advise any person: to go to the Palmer, and further states that provisions are very scarce. The last rush was betwixt the Palmer and the Mitchell—the former is a tributary to the latter river. We were .shown some beautiful specimens of gold. The nuggets were very slightly water-worn, and the stone in several places was thickly studded with the precious metal Mr. P. Anderson obtained £4 2s. lid. per ounce, after smelting. There is no quartz-crushing machinery at the Palmer, but steps are being taken to have some machines erected. The only conveniences they have for crushing at present are hand mortars.

The Palmer is 120 miles distant fronrCooktown by Douglas’s track, but the waggons have to go round in another direction, which makes the journey about 170 miles. The rate per ton for carriage was £l2O, and even at that

figure sufficient waggons cannot be secured to supply provisions to .the population at the Palmer, Swagmen stand a very poor chance on the diggings. Those who possess horses generally manage to have new rushes worked out before the tramps arrive on the spot, and this may be accounted for from the fact that the workings are so shallow. The blacks are very cunning and troublesome.. They generally attack parties of one or two, and nothing can be ascertained of their approach until their spears are.showered amongst those whom they assail. A great many horses have been speared by the blacks. The fever, ague, and dysentery, were very prevalent when Mr, Anderson left the Palmer. The steamers which were leaving Cooktown for Sydney and other places, says Mr, P. Anderson, were crowded with diggers. Those who arrived, bound for the Palmer, were principally Chinese, The largest escort from the Palmer was 21,000 ounces. A great many persons are out prospecting. The reason that Messrs. Anderson give for leaving is that they do not see anything worth stopping for. Oue of the Cooktown paper’s especially is noted for exaggerating accounts from the goldfield. For instance, if a party once gets 4 ounces or 12 ounces to the dish, it is put down as the average. Douglas, a white troopfer in charge of a black brigade, is stationed along the track which bears his name. According to Mr. P. AnderSon, one black trooper is worth a dozen white men on the Palmer, or at any new rush. The Chinese have secured all the old workings on Palmer proper, and they follow the Europeans very closely. Tho wet season commences in December next, but some of the rivers might be flooded in November. Mr. Anderson characterises it as the height of foolishness if diggers do not secure horses to convey their provisions to tho Palmer. The following were some of the prices ruling for provisions when the Messrs. Anderson left the Palmer: —Flour, 2s. to 2s. fid. per lb.; tea, 6s. per lb.; sugar, 2s. fid. to 3s. per lb.; and beef, Is.