GOLD MELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 157, 17 May 1862, Page 4

GOLD MELDS.

The Escorts, during the last month hare fallen in amount. The circumstance can be accounted for by the sensible diminution of the population. A large number of miners have returned to Victoria with the intention of returning again in the^ spring. Again, many miners are scattered far and wide over the country, outside the reach of the Esjaort ; offices. Again, on the older gold fields, the first superficial deposits being to some extent worked out, operations have now to be commenced on a different scale—deep-sinking, puddling by machines, and sluicing, are largely

beiriif enie ad Into. fresults will take some, time to (1 jvelonu. Still t!iejiicr:ij;e<' oariiiiigs; of.: .the miiers nro by no : m.ea.u3_ros>temptiblei aud:. far in (.jceoss of "Victoria, albeit in that favored colony there is inuciiiiiery to 11.itI the minors to the value of a m'ilio;i mid a hu.lt". la. ;i:iothei column ■will i>c sri'u mi elaborate caleu'fcitiuii bused on data ■ supplied by the Aryan, by wiiio'u it ap, ears that the average of the g:<-»ss earnings ot' the individual miner in Victoriti.during tho- first quarter of the present year muoiintcil to only £15 i4s. ad., or at the rate"pei: annum of £t)2 His. Sil. The average here, taking the last seven'escorts, the lowest received, is 'far above "the 'Victorian. The total population on the gold tichls cannot exceed now 9.100. Out of this number,.utter deducting women, children, idler?, and men engaged in business, not more than 6000 arc left as -absolutely engaged in mining, I:i Victoria they only estimate a third of the gold fields population to be miners. Bit taking it in O;««o as two thirds -this gives 6000 miners. Dividing thia into the total of the last seven csco.ts, 34,439 ounces, we have the average for ench nmn weekly of 16d\vts. Sgrs, or, at the value of .£4 an ounce.,..£3 ss. 4d. ( us the average earnings of each man engaged in mining. This is equal to .£169 17s. 4d. per annum, against .£62 16s. Bd. in Victoria. In other words, without machinery, the Otago miners average nearly three times as much as their brethren in Victoria. The value of the gold in both cases is estimated at £4 an ounce, which is above its value, but, on the other hand, no allowance is made for gold brought down by private hand, which amounts to a large quantity. Still, it is very satisfactory to be able to announce the discovery of a new gold field. The new Eldorado is situated on Mr. Saxton's run, near the Taieri River, nnd at the foot of Mount Highlay. For convenience sake, we will refer to tho now. diggings as the Highlay gold field. The first news of it that reached town was from Mr Bailey, the fortunate discoverer of an auriferous quartz reef. He brought down specimens, and announcing his disc overy obtained from the Government an extended claim. He described the place us possessing large alluvial deposits, and that several miners were profitably engaged in sluicing. A trooper was despatched to the spot, and from his report, which we reprint in 'another column, it will be seen that a payable gold field has been discovered. One nugget, of an ounce bad been discovered, and the men working .on the spot admitted to making ■wages. Gold could also be freely seen in the quartz,. On receipt of this report a great many left Dunedin for the spot, and are still continuing to go. The road lies by Waikouiti, ■which can be reached by steamer in four hours from Dunedin. From Waikouiti the diggings are about 45 miles distant along a good dray track. It will thus be seen they are very near to the coast. , The climate about Waikouiti is quite temperate, and but little rain falls. As winter quarters, Highlay will be found more genial than Tuapeka. It is premature to express any positive opinion concerning the prospects of the new field ; it is possible only a " patch" has been discovered, but unquestionably the inference from the large extent of ground over which gold has been found to exist, is of a more cheering nature. There are reports of another new ' gold field, caused by overtures made by the alleged discoverer of a very large field, to Captain Baldwin, Commissioner at Waitahuna, for a reward of j£3ooo, iii event of the discovery .being made known. The applicant was known to be respectable, and some faith was attached to his statement. . He was referred to the Superintendent, and it is believed that he haa come to town for the purpose of seeing him. On the older gokliiekls though there is nothing startling to notice, fresh ground is being constantly opened up, A rush near Tuapeka to the junction of the river of that name, is well spoken of, and as there is plenty of timber, many miners will comfortably locate themselves there during the winter. At Wetherstone's satifiietory progress is made, the lead is being traced down to the fiat. Munroe's Gully is turning out surpisingly well,many rich claims are being workod there. At Waitahuna there have been several small rushes lately, amongst which are one to the High Range and another to the Camp Hill. The miners at Waipori seem to be' contented with their labor— the gold there is coarse, or we should say nuggety, and is found over 11 large extent of country. Waipori wants a large population to properly develop and prospect it. About 1000 miners have now settled down at Tokomariro and the Woolshed. They are exposed to great difficulties owing to the field not being proclaimed, but ase supposed to be earning good wages. The Mining Board election took place on. the 25th April, and resulted in the election of Messrs. Brodic, McMasters, White, "Caples, Mclntyre, Savage, and Clarke. Mr. Brodic was elected chairman, and the Board arc about proceeding with the formation of regulations. The news from Coromaudel and Auckland is very unsatisfactory. No payable alluvial gold hns been found, but there appears to be hopes of a quartz reef. The country can only be tried with vast difficulty owing to its being covered with an almost impenetrable bush. A correspondent who has returned from there proclaims the whole affair a hoax. The Nelson gold fields appear to be the best of New Zealand outside Otago. A small population on one of the workings is earning fair wages.