THE DUNSTAN DIGGINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 232, 17 September 1862, Page 5

THE DUNSTAN DIGGINGS.

The following letter has been forw.irded to us by a gentleman who started for the Dunstan with the first rush, and upon whose judgment and veracity we can rely :—

An the first claim we took up on the east bank of the Molyneux wtu one ia which there were few baufders, and eooseqaenUy easily Btrippal we soon collected the wash-dirt, which we had heaped ready for cradling ; I started yesterday, intending to proceed up the west side to-day, aa we litre noticed daring the \vA week hundreds going up that aide, and few, comparatively, returninK. Geound is now scarce ou ooth banks, bat the east being the first reached a the more crowded, each new comer trying that first. Oa starting this morninsr, I found that sines the latt tea days quite a township has grown at tha mouth of the gorge. Stores, butclien, "bakera, - and doctors are there. Everything is dear. Flour, 2*. per pound. Today, there wa» none to be obtained, bat there are many drays on the road. Tinware 15 very scirce, and much sought after. Zinz buckets fetch 12s. «Jd. The "Wonder of the World," from Wethejr*toa'*, is expected daily; an J, from the number of drays reported to be on the roaJ, I hare no doubt that things will soon realise- more reasonable prices One step in the right direction has been taken,—a Mr. Hill, who arrival oa Tmaday, has established a Ferry in the shape of a very will boat, just below the township,— a great boon t£» those diving on the west bank, who formerly had to, go two , miles further i down the river to cross, and are now charged sixpence instead of a shilling. Mr. Hill has also placed a boat on the old crossing, and has brought uw the material for two punts, which, when ready, will replaoe the smaller crafts now playing The eurreat is very rapid, and my feelings were not enviable when I found myself opposite three heavy diggers laden with picks, shovels, and swags, with two more similarly accoutred in the bows, and two ferrymen, the little vessel's gunwales were barely out of the water, and if a faulty stroke had been made with the oar, when in the current, in all probability our next ferry trip wou'd have been across the Styx under Old Charon's guidance, at a lower fare, however, if history is to be relied on. I breathed more freely when on terra firm* once more. The day was be&atiful, in fact all our days have been so since we arrived, there have been but one or two passing storm clouds, and the Victorian) are reminded of Australian weather. The son shone warm enough to have pleased a Neapolitan, and a gentle breeze blowing left nothing to be wished for in the weather. The road on this &ide*is not so difficult to travel a« on the other. For the first nine miles, the banks, after the first rise from the water, run back for about 400 or 500 yards for some distance up the river, and, with the exception of a few nasty creeks, of no size, but with precipitous bank?, one can canter for six or seven miles, then the rocky hills on your left close on the river, and the way i? very dangerous, and a hore must step warily,-even when led by its rider; a false step, and nothing could save it. The Molyneux presented a busy scene, the whole of the opposite bank near the water's edge was lined with miners, in groups of two* and threes in their claims, some stripping the wash-dirt and collect ing it in heaps ready for cradling, and others rocking cradles. As the day advanced and the diaper hour drew near, the noise of the operations gradually grew less, and I observed at nearly every tent preparations for the mid-day meal, One gentleman looked positively uncivil because I made some courteous observation, respecting the weather, I believe, which caused him to withdraw his attention from some savoury mess be was cooking in a frying-pan. Everyone at work looked contentment, more so than on any other field I recollect, and 1 hear the field . and its prospects cheeringlv spoken of by anyone who has "set in at'all. Of my own doings I will not speak at present: suffice it to say that we are content with our fortune hitherto. There is no question that there will be a considerable quantity of gold procured from the river, but I think that it will never be properly ascertained. The price offered here at first was 605., since risen to 655., now to 70«. lam credibly informed that nine pounds weight ia now on the way to Wetherstone's, and no doubt much more will follow, in the expectation of obtaining the price ofiered there for Tuapeka gold. There was a report current in the Township yesterday that a rush was taking place down the river, but I am not syre of the truth of it. I know many who left to seek it, but could not succeed. The miners are working ten mOes down the river, and in fact are moyjpg oa ia both directions, ; up and down.' The workings are the same wherever . they set in r of coarse gold ia more plentiful in some places than ia ojtuers, but a miner can tell in a very

jhort; time-. -wherher- Ma T claim - will pajP nliar^No' ■ sinking thir'y, fifty, or one hundred feet, and then trying your r waslwiirt. The only drawback is the price of provisions, and that difficulty will decrease every day, bread is jseUiog at 7s 6d the loaf-I have not attempted it however. The camp is represented by two tents, at present on an 'eminence above and near the township par excellence, winch must not be confused with, a rival city established neto the old ferry, and flourishing under His name of " Mutton Town," it derives this euphonious appellation from the fact of the only batcher's establishment being at that spot until recently. A large number of tents are collected here with what purpose I cannot say, the track from Shennan's station led down to the ferry, and all the new-comers followed the track afterwards, following np.tbVbanks of the Molyneux and entering the Goi^e. 1 fear that these warm days will rise the river. Old Diinstan loaks pale and cold yet, Wai; there's no standing this jolly weather, and even! he must acknowledge soon that winter is over, and throw off bis snowy eovermg. ; I believe that less snow than ■ usual has fallen this past season; if so, it will prove mm 2 favorable to mining operations than if after a severe winter; bat should the river rise to any extent, it mastlimittheauriferousgrouad considerably. The want of postal commnnication is much felt-? I hear rumors of an express being employed by the storekeepers tomorrow, and if so I will entrust these few lines to his care. I bear that Bomo men have proceeded up the river in search ot the timber so much spoken of, and that they will make tha attempt to float it down the river. As soon as thi3 is done all the likely looking fiats will be thoroughly prospected, and I am anxiously looking out for the first float. :'■■•