THE GOLD FIELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7, 22 November 1861, Page 2

THE GOLD FIELDS.

ARRIVAL OF THE ESCORT WITH

21,000 OUNCES

REPUDIATION OF BANK OF NEW

ZEALAND NOTES

The Escort arrived yesterday evening with twenty-one thousand and ninety ounces of gold, of which 15,402 oz. came from Tuapeka, and 5688 oz. from Yf aitahuna. After the books closed, more gold was offered at the receiving office at V^aitahuna^ and next week it is anticipated the quantity from thence will be at least double. A few miles from Vv'aitahuna, Mr. Inspector Cadell, discovering an imperfection in one of the wheels of the waggon, thought it prudent to transfer the gold to a dray, .which he procured through the courtesy of Mr. Mills, agent for Cole & Co., the coach proprietors. The Escort had to walk to Tokomairiro, at which place it arrived at 1 o'clock in the morning. At daylight the waggon was under repair, and at 11 o'clock the Escort started from Tokomairiro, reaching Dunedin at 6 o'clock, —an hour earlier than last week. Much credit is due to Mr. Cadell for the promptness with which he met the difficulty, and the punctuality with which he arrived in Dunedin. To watch the arrival of the Escort is the only relaxation which the busy folks of the town permit themselves'; a considerable crowd alwaj^s assembles as soon, as the telescopes descr}*- the cortege coming over the hills in the distance. Certainly the arrangements are very satisfactory, and the Escort is composed of a fine-looking, disciplined body of men. Dunedin has secured the pick of the Victorian constabulary force.

The news from Gabriel's Gully speaks of continued success amongst the miners. Large finds are still being made ; one instance has been cited to us of three miners who have only been three weeks in the colony, haviug already realised a considerable amount of gold in a claim they were fortunate enough to secure. At Waitahuna, the miners are also doing very well. Great inconvenience is experienced here through their being no Magistrate. Captain Baldwin's appointment by the General Government has not yet arrived— another instance of the inconvenience of being so long a, distance from the seat of Government-

In respect to the Blue Mountain rush, nothing further is known ; the general impression is that there is something in it. Perkins who led away several hundred men from Waitahuna, is stated to have declared that if he did not bring them to the rush he would consent to their killing his bullocks, burning his dray, and doing what they liked with himself. The locality is variously surmised ; some say the Mautaura ; others, between McKenzie and McNab's stations; others, the land slip on the Pomahaka.

A most ludicrous affair has occurred at Waitahuna with the new Bank of New Zealand. The Manager or Inspector determined not to remain idle whilst his premises were being completed in Dunedin, went to the Diggings and purchased £10,000 worth of gold, after which, he took his departure, probably very satisfied with his labours. Unfortunately the notes of his own Bank, which he issued in payment, were dated in advance, the Ist December, and as this day falls on a Sunday, they are in a legal aspect worthless, except in a Court of Equity. The other Banks, with extreme narrow-mindedness, taking advantage of the error, refused to accept them, and then such a row ensued as

has seldom occurred before. The miners thought they had been duped, and one storekeeper, who had issued a great many of the notes in purchase of gold, \v;is arrested for obtaining gold on false pretences. He was chained' to a bed-post, and in the morning marched to Tuapeka, with other prisoners. Of course the case was dismissed. Other storekeepers had to find cash to take up the notes they had purchased gold with, and the storekeeper with whom the Manager staj'ed, wa threatened with having his premises pulled down. It is difficult to say which was the more culpable, the stupidness of the mistake or the illiberality of the other Banks in taking advantage of it.