THE HARTLEY DIGGINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 218, 20 August 1862, Page 5

THE HARTLEY DIGGINGS.

We have been at some loss in considering a name for the new Diggings. The most obvious would be the Clutha or Molyneiw, but there is this objection, that the river of that name waters an immense extent of country, and there may be s evera! distinct gold fields on its banks. The same thing has.occurred at the Loddon River in Victoria. There are several gold fields bordering' upon its waters, and the attempt to designate any one of these the Loddon Diggings always failed, so much confusion was found to result. Another name that suggests itself is the Kawarau, and which, as it is a native one, we would gladly adopt, with the desire to preserve the aboriginal nomenclature. But the same difficulty presents itself. The present diggings may extend away from the Kawarau to the North, to the East, or to the South; whilst, on the upper waters of the river, near Lake Wakatip, a distinct gold field may be found.

A third name which suggests itself, and which we think it best to adopt, is that of one of the prospectors, Mr. Hartley. The prospectors both desenv to have their name? handed &j\rn in connection with the gold field; but on the score of euphony Hiley is forbidden " Hartley" is free from this objection ; it is besides euphemistic and convenient, and besides, of the two, we fancy that Mr. Hartley is the' more experienced prospector.

The excitement yesterday was immense. From early morning until dark, crowds of men equipped with swags, or leading pack horses, were to be seen taking the WestTaieri or the Blue Skin road. Many, we are informed, went aw ay very ill provided, and we cannot too urgently impress upon those who propose going, that there is a total absence of stores in the neighborhood, and that, from the nature of the country, it will be some time before any quantity can be sent there. The prospectors came down by the WestTaieri; they left on Sunday, and entered to»vn on Thursday. TheWaikouaiti road will be found the most available for drays at least, at present. A third road could be used by Oamarn and Lindis. From the Lindis it is nearly thirty miles to the Hartley, and a dray could be taken over twenty of it. The spot where the richest gold was obtained, was about sixteen miles from Shennan's home station

We have been requested to state that Miners' Rights can be obtaine d at the office o f the Chief Commissioner for the gold fields, fronting Princes-street. The Government merely intend to send up some one to report on the field, but not a prospecting party a§ seemed to be general \y supposed yesterday from the many persons who inquired at the office. We republish the particulars which appeared in yesterday's paper, as there was such an extensive demand for it that we were unab'e to supply enough paper 3by several hundreds.