LATE TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 242, 29 September 1862, Page 5

LATE TELEGRAMS.

„,, ~ , T Adelaide, Setcmbcr 18, Ihe Princess Louise was on the point of sailing when the crew were arrested under the following suspicious circumstances :■—From inf-rmation received, the captain overruled the effects belonging to the seamen, and discovered a large quantity of arms consisting of pistofc, daggers, revolvers, gunpowder, bullets, caps, fee. It is surmised they intended to take the vessel, and proceed on a piratical expedition. The case will be inquired into. In the market, sheep have been sold from 14s. Cd to 175.; lambs have fetched 9a. to 11s. At Qudanamutana an immense block of copper has been unearthed. It required 22 bullocks to draw it.

The East Torrens Wine Company held a meeting to-day, and a resolution was carried to wind-up the aflairp, and dissolve the company.

■ ■ •' , Bbibbasb, 18th September. lhe statement that Government had instructed their London agent that the labor market here was supplied, and that no more immigrant ships should be sen^out, is without foundation, .and: has been circulated with a view to injure the^o%ernment. '-%.. , (i ,,. ■ 1^ The immigrant ships* Whirlwhiud and Maryoan, have nrrifed, irith eight hundred passengers. They are all in^ceTlent health, and appear to be well selected, anSjg£ a superior class. Another sHp has been signalled in the Bay, and w supposed to "beJthe Ariadne, with more immigrants. The parties out searching for Mr. Black have hitherto been unsuccessful. . .There was a thunderstorm last night, accompanied With some more welcome showers.

First Imprkssions of Mh&bouknb Six Years ago,—A pen and ink sketch with a little rough shading. - Take pieces and odds and ends from all parts of London and its suburbs-r-not forgetting Bermondsey and Shad well—throwing in some iron houses (singularly unsuited to tba climate), cast them down pell-mell, like toys from a box, taking care to keeD the streets wide, and at right angles, with broad End deep gutters, and iron crossings over them (highly necessary by experience); place all this on a barren, broken waste, with the Yarra Hirer running by its side, swampy and muddy : take' all sorts of vehicles—from the Long Acre built carriage to the bullock dray—intersperse with horsemen, and set all agoing at a &*>& rate ; place any quantity of pedestrians on the footways (not pavements) well-dressed 111-dressed, rough dressed, and in," any dress, not forgetting jack boots and cabbage taee hats: sprinkle mth Chinese, dot in an aborigine or two with cow at their heels :•—and that was a »ew chum's first impression of Melbourne city

i\S lm^lKJ>^nT^ s-^-The bitMi«nUed pipe* of the Humbug Hill Company, from Hnmbwr Hill across the SlafyOroek Valley to the White S,^rc now laid, spanning a distance of 2,550 feet. The

i ■ 1&W- v/ 3****enna.~-lt may sound strange, but it fa a fectneyertheless, that the export ©Heather from, this district to the English market has^ommenced. Mr. Macpberson, orMacpnereon ana Cunnack, of Winter's FlaY recently visited London, and while there, appointed an agent, to whom, on returning to this colony, he consigned a parcel of leather manufactured at the establishment of the firm. We understand that the whole parcel ia bespoke and that a demand for Australian leather is rapidly springing up in the English market. Perhaps the great Exhibition has something: to do with this. Yie-torisn-dressed leather and Vieiorian-made boots attracted much attention among connoisseurs who examined them. We hope the parcel now despatched js the precursor of many that will find their way to the English market from Messrs. Macpherson and Cunnaek's factory. The repntation Victorian work has gained will not suffer in their hands.—if A Mail, 10th September. The late snows which occurred at the Nine-Mile and the surrounding ranges, had a very curious effect on the bushfis. The trees here, not losing their leaves in winter, allowed the snow to accumulate to such an extent on the branches, that very heavy limbs have been torn off, and now lie thickly scattered through the busb. It must have been exceedingly-dangerous for any person to travel even on the roods daring the amtJnuance of the storm, or unta the'snow melted, as there is scarcely a yard of the bush that ia not covered with the marks of this extraordinary result The wattle trees also were bowed down to the ground with their unaccustomed weight, some of them still remaining in that position. We have seen whole miles of trees, withered and bleached, standing like gaunt skeletons, their blight having been occasioned by the snow lying deeply in some year, for months perhaps, after its usual disappearance, killing the sap as it rose in. the spring.—(/. and M. Advertiser, 28th August. Another earthquake appears to have taken place in c a'he Talbot twder, of Friday last, says The shock of an earthquake was experienced in Talbot on Wednesday evenim?, about half-past eight o clock. Ko underground noise was perceptible, but the windows of several shops and private houses were violently ebaken, producing no small alarm among the oeeupauta. The shock lasted for about ten second*, and was followed by a terrific flash of lightning, aceompauied by a deep roll of thunder. The direction ot the quake was N.W. There was a light rainfall, but no wind, at the time." Tub Mcrdkr op thk Black: Gik at Gilibsba.—An investigation has been held in this matter, referred to in a late issue, and a male abongmal committed to take his trial at the next Circuit Court sittings at Gouiburo. A number of witnesses, much to their cha?rin, have been subpteuaed to attend the trial.— Pastoral Time*. , Shkabiso.-—This was commenced pretty generally about the SlurrambidKee. On some stations where the height of the water on the river h&s failed to fill the lagoon in which the sheep have usually been washed, shearing in the grease wi Ibe adopt d. The price given to the hands engaged, is £1 per hundred without rations. No deficiency of shearers ia exoeneneed.—Pastoral Tintet.

Lambisg.—This is now nearly over. The pereeataee on the Murrumbidgee has not been first-rate or so good quite a* last year. The average increase has been about eighty-fire per cent,— lbid A Boy's Fbkak—Charles'Fytc, a boy about ten wars old, was charge before the magistrates of Balkrat East on Friday with chopping off the fingers of another boy abcot his own age. Mr. Cutbbert, for the prisoner, stated that he was told it was merely an accident, and that the injured boy himself said so Mr. KaKat said that he had a very different account of the again The injured boy was with his father • and now stated that he was in the bush, and the prisoner with him, with an axe, and when his hand was on a piece of wood the prisoner lifted the axe and chopped off three of Ma fingers. George Heath, thefather of the injured child, stated that the prisoner came and told him what he had done, and said that he bad not been able to find two of the fingers, and supposed that vbey had been eaten by the cats. The two missing finders were afterwards found, and the other finger huag by the skin. As far as he could make out, his boy was stooping down, with his hand on a log, when the prisoner was chopping, and the injury was done. He did not wi-h to press the charge ! as the prisoner was so young, and it might be an I accident. The prisoner was then discharged.— Bal- ' larai Star, Sept. 6. J*a* Rau.wat MiSHAjfAGKMKXT.—The climax has at length been reached. The miserable remnants of a traffic that once promised to be remunerative to the department and beneficial to the general public had yet to be destroyed, and the goods and parcels rates were framed for that purpose; it is not possible to conceive that it could be for any other. Any quantities under half a ton &n charged parcels'rates. I will annex a specimen of Borne of the charges • I A bag pf potatoes consigned to a Mr. M'Master, from Melbourne, was charged 55.; the potatoes cost the consignee 63. ; and he, I believe, made the railway department a present of them, or, at least, he refused to take delivery. Another farmer, a Mr. Young had goods from Geel-ng, weighing 4081b., and hadtopav 11s.; another, 22ewt, had to pay 75.; another, ibV a small barrel of ale, 10s. 6d, j another, a case of em o». ; *c. Spring-carts are asaia on the roads, and the labours of the Corio District lload Board will now be put to the test Farmers will become their own carriers to Oeelong, and the railway station at the Little River will become deserted, if some alteration » not speedily made. There is very lutfe hope left. A meeting- of the inhabitants to consider railway matters will beheld here in a fewday3.—Correspondent of Geelong Advertiser, 6th Sept The Exprksrs op a* Actiok foe Libel: A new phase of the action Bowie v. Wilson turned up in the Supreme Court, yesterday, on an application by both plaintiff and defendant in reference to the costs. The latter complain that the plaintiff had been allowed too much in reference to the counsels* Sf 8 an, d. th*»tt? ndance of ,nis attorney on the court. The plaintiff alleged on the other side that the Prothonotary had only allowed him sufficient in the first instance, and a subsequent otto- of Mr Justice Molesworth, whereby they were reduced by a sum of Lso3*. wasmvaiidandßhouliberescinded. Ontheeoste being first taxed there was a balance in the plaintiff* favor of LI 17, besides the LIOO damages whichThTobtained on the issues relating to Mrs Steele, the bill of coats furnished by hm to the Prothonotary being defendant s bill of costs amounted to over Lll9O, and was reduced to L 47712* 3d. The counsel's iek as t?™' ™re^» rihe£&" )tiff > the Attorney-General, L 170: Mr Billing, £8310s; Mr Fellows, L 73 • for the defendant MeMichie, L 3*4 17s 6d, LlsoallowedMr Wyatt L 217, L7410s beinpaUowed; M?wS' L 193 &M, of wbioh L6J & was allowed The court decided in fevor of the plaintiff, the costs as first texed by the Prothonotary to stand. It is reported that in addition to ihe eo*ts, taxed as against each other, each side will have to pay about L 1200.— Age, Sept 13. The unpleasantness and difference of opinion existing between several members of the Cabinet has become a matter of notoriety, and the very existence of the Ministry appears to be in danger. The BalUxarat Tribune of yesterday, says:-" We have good ground for saying that there is a cabal in the Ministry to eject Mr. Duffy from it, and that all the pressure that can be brought to bear is being exercised to compel the Chief Secretary to give him unlimited leave of absence, and further, we can lay our finger on one member and will if necessary, who has not been backward m letting the Government understand that Mr. Duffy's proceedings with reference to the Land Bill may cause his vote to be transferred from the Ministerial to the Opposition side of the House/a mere threat, for the hon. member is far too shrewd, to use a familiar phrase, than ' to cut off his nose* XC. . ■ ': • . ■ '

Lahd Salb at RuTHEßouss.-Tb* second Government sale of town lots in ftu.therglentook nlaee at theCourtHouseye^terday.whenT^Tw^fiJnte were offered for sale. Two of these were withdrawn from sale. On most of the others, improvements wS erected and valuations allowed, the wn«2uence being that the owners became the purchaaereat ?S upset pnce-LSp per acre. For two unimproved &f^ m A^¥ U■'&& cast-ac biddin^was v%y spirited, eaohiot realising at the rate of WO per Sfw A^J*? «f the sale application was made to Mr Derbyshire by a large number of parties desirous of purchasing: particular allotments. Darby--BJ"«,^t«oated that the wishes of. these parties should becpmpUed with, and another landsaleheld with as htUe delay as possible. It is very satisfactory to find that there is an increasing d»air& for settlement, And that the value of building sites in oar principal thoroughfares is fully maintained.--ifM|Tau Gautte, 9thSeptember. . .-'• * A Ncggjst.—On Saturday there w*s exhibited in I the wiadow of the Bwk of Iwrtralasial fine nupßelofpuregold, found by a Chinaman, at the MiaMia &ook, near North Muckleford, and weighing twenty six ounces. Tflfe hear that some good quarte claims have been opened in the neighborhood oi Qreen Gully! which are expected to turn out well.—CastUmavne Advertuer, 9th September. vw»*T H« *r^? M I>oope.—By the City of Sydney have amvedeighteeaMaonL warriors. They are all sfadwttt in* looking men, a^A are, we believe, the same S have recently been performing in Sydney

THE GOLD FIELDS" MANUAL "FOR

. .. 2fEW ARRIVALS. We publish the following information concerning the gold fields for the benefit of new arrivals:—The principal gold fields of Otago are those at Tuapeka, Waitahuna, Waipori, Woolshed Creek, Mount Highlay. the newly discovered Dunstan " and" Ifokomai Diggings, nnd several minor fields, as Coal Creek, Lindis, the Dunstan River, Shag Kiver, and Moeraki Beach.

Tuapeka, although not the oldest, is the be-^t known and most extensively worked gold field. It comprises a large extent of probably au-ifer-ous country, but hitherto miningoperationslmvc mainly been limited to Gabriel's Gully, the scene of Mr. Read's early discoveries, Wetherstone's and Monroe's Gullies, and the banks of the Tuapeka River. From these localities alone, 332,476 ounces of gold have already been transmitted by escort to Dunedin. Scattered parties of prospectors are found in the adjacent cullies, where they are quietly and steadily working. If surface indications are to be trusted, there are hundreds of these gullies which present the.appearance.of being equally rich-with those originally opened, aud no doubt many parties are ribw iriaking their piles in the recesses of the surrounding ranges, unheard of and unnoted.

The workings at Tuapeka are shallow, averaging from - five to forty feet, rarely deeper. At Wetherstone's a large portion of the ground regains quite untouched, all attempts to bottom haviug been defeated by the influx of ■water. As the Government ..have, however, consented to form a storm. water channel for the purpose of draining the fiat, we may expect that this part ofthe field will shortly: be rendered accessible to the miners.

The washdirt is gravelly, and therefore easily worked. Sluicing is generally adopted. The supply of water is most ample, and races, some of them many miles in extent, have been formed for this purpose. The gullies and the points of the hills are the favorite sites, but alo»g the Tuapeka, hill workings have been resorted to with very great-success.

•Wood" is scarce in the immediate- vicinity of the diggings. At the heads of the gullies there are patches of scrub for firewood, and near the confluence of the Tuapeka with the Clutha, there is timber available for slabbing,

Lignite for fuel is abundant, and, as it is found near the surface, is in great request. At AYetherstone's and near the Junction township, at the foot of Gabriel's Gully, some large and valuable deposits have beeu discovered.

The route to Tuaneka from Dunedin is by the Main South Road, via East Taieri and Lake WaifaoJa to Tokomairiro, thence by the Woolshed and Waitahuna. Distance, 70 miles by the travelled road ; but from Cameron's Hotel, on Tokomairiro Plains, there is a short cut over the ranges by the Woolshed diggings, which reduces the distance to sixty miles. The population (reduced by the last rush to the Dunstan) ia now estimated at 1,700 persons, of whom only 700 are miners.

Waitahuna.—This field is on the river of that name. At Waitahuna only a few gullies have yet been worked; from these the gross yield of gold to present date, as per escort returns, has been 78,640 ounces. All around is •what are termed likely looking hills and gullies.

The workings- are similar to those at Gabriel's and Wetherstone's, already described. Timber is scarce, but there is plenty of lignite in the neighborhood.

The route from Dunedin is that by the main South, Road to Tokomairiro—thence by the short road already referred to through the Woolshed.

Distance by dray-road over Mount Stuart, 59[miles— via Waolsbed and the ranges, 50 miles. Present population, 1,250.

The Woolshed is a comparatively new field, the workings having gradually extended down the creek (where they were first discovered) to the south branch of the Tokomairiro River, where some very rich ground has been opened up. Some of the auriferous lands in this locality are private Property, but in every instance the proprietors have dealt with the miners in a fair and liberal spirit: and a Government road, upon which a payable lead was recently struck, has been thrown open lor mining purposes, on condition of surface damages being made good. There, is also a large extent of Crown lands available for the prospector, and parties are known to be working with success in the neighbourhood. A quartz reef was some time since discovered in Canada bush on the adjacent, plains, between the branches of the Tokomairiro, but we have no further information on this subject. Since May last an escort has been dispatched from the Woolshed, the amount ot gold sent down by which, presents a total of 3,883 ounces.

The population is estimated at about 450 persons. Distance from Dunedin by .East Taieri and Tokomairiro, 45 miles.

The Waipori field is on the Waipori river and its branches. The workings consist principally of creek workings and hill sluicing. The; population—never : very large—is now estimated at 220. Since the first: escort in February last, 6,155 ounces have been sent down by that mode of conveyance. Situated higher up in the spurs of the Lamnierlaw mountains, the climate is more severe than that of Tuapeka and Waitahuna, but Waipori presents an excellent and comparatively untried field,for operations during the summer months. ' Growing timber is very scarce" in the vicinity, ,but beds otl largeJrees in a state of good preservation exist immediately under the soil, and these are stated to be available not only for fuel, but for slabbing and -other purposes. The gold found at Waipori 13 coarse and nuggetty, and frequently intermixed with fragments of quartz. -- Near the township a reef showing promising auriferous indications, was lately discovered; by ;some quartz-miners from Bendigo, who: purposeerectingmachinery to fairly test its; value. •• .:■■■•■■ •■-:.' ..>...-... ;;, ..-. .. ■■ '■ :

The route from Dunedin is by West Taieri and the ranges. Distance, ibrty miles* ■;. '.. ' -, : ■ ' . .....■•... ■. .-..

Kot far from the Waipori xiyer to the eastward is the Lee stream, hitherto neglected,! except* by a -."few^straggling parties, but on; the banks of which gold in payable quantities was long since.discovered,.,. v theise fields continue' to yield remuhera-; the employment to the miners .engaged'iipon them, and-there is ample room for many more:- '-.i-;■:!:.;.■ .■.■■.■:-r -=-.= ■■ -. ;.: •. f;T<

"■'•■• Jt Q M?, llnt Higblay diggings are situated m the valley of the Upper Taieri, and the mam:workiag S axe at Timbrel's. GullyJ and at^ I)eep t l>ell and.FUly-Bura^tributaridl'of the laieri River, but several parties of1-miners 1 are! scattered; oveTVfhe-TurfQunaing-'coifrirfy in= gey^:directio ß .-^ e bf this"fiel(ii has never been large— not tiaoire thani 250 or .300 at--any. r one ,-time,- havinff? Pm:.,Joe&ted. upon rt 4ti : an^d -at present! ;,t^ ,;number u is.'reduced to: fa : nimunum^ ::Hn^r^ew.sisores.:;;,^hen:;iit^^r 4 djs^ Tered,; in June,rlast,uthe. inclemency of thei weather, tended to prevent the rush which Ij

" otherwise ' wontfl,-' in; -;all probability,:"liave" occurred." The diggings'are situated at a considerable elevation above the sea level, and are consequently subject to heavy falls of snow during the winter. There is sufficient timber near Timbrel's for moderate life, and scrub, for firewood is found on the margins of the streams, and in the hollows of the ranges Lignite is, as usual, procurable in the flats, and the i.eighboring mosses yield good peat. Water is plentiful; and sluicing is in consequence the favorite mode of mining. Although the Mount High lay field has been so scantily prospected, the existence of auriferous deposits, over a very large area, has been ascertained beyond a doubt. , There is no escort thence, but the quantities of gold brought down by private hand are very considerable, when the sparsenuss of the population is taken iuto account. The gold at Timbrel's is rough and heavy, greatly resembling the Waipori gold. That from Deep Dell is finer, and more watcrworu. A quartz nof, in the stone of which fine, gold is apparent, was discovered at Mount ilighlay, «nd a prospecting'claim granted to the discoverer, but no steps have yet been taken to test its value. ; The route generally preferred is by steamboat to Waikouaiti;,thence by Mount Pleasant, the Shag If Iyer, and Hamilton's and Wayne's station (No. 109) to Saxton's Kiver (xs'o. 210), on which the diggings are situated. The distance from Waikouaiti by this route is estimated at 55 miles. There is another road overland from Dunedin, by way of Blueskiu; but it-is exceedingly bleak, rugged, and difficult, and impeded by dangerous morasses, both on; the- margins of "the numerous inter-

secting streams, and on the tops of the ranges, • Intending visitors to this tjcld will therefore do well to'take the sea-route. Murphy's Gully id on Hamilton and Wayne's station, about seven unles from High lay. "Gold in /air quantities has been obtained there. Several of the creeks at the head of the Waikouaiti lliver, and the branches of the Shag River, are also known to be auriferous ; but so few ere.the miners in the locality that this promising field may. be said to be as yet untried, and consequently undeveloped. ' Coal" Cicek. about twenty miles above Mount Ilighky in a northerly direction, is one of the head branches of the Sha»- Kiver. Sluicing operations are being conducted in the bed, and on the banks of the creek with remunerative results. The mining population h very small, but will probably'increase durin" the summer months. Lignite of a very superior description ci ops out oh the banks. There are no hotels, and but little accommodation, on this road at present. Travellers have mainly to rely on the stations along the line for provisions. It is therefore advisable to carry as large a supply as possible of Hour, tea, and sugar. Beef and mutton are, of course, to be obtained everywhere. The Lindis was the earliest discovered, and is one of the least-worked of the Otago gold fields. Shortly after it was first rushed, the more brilliant attractions of uabriel's Gully drew off the few miners—about 300—then on the field, and there has not yet been any reaction in its favor. A few meu are still at work there, and the locality presents all the appearance of a large and rich gold field. The Lindis diggings arc on the run of Mr. M'Lean (No. 216). They are confi-.ed to one or two small gullies, near the Lindis Pass on die head-waters of the river of that name. The gold is heavy and nuggetty. The climate is somewhat inclement in winter, and snow lies on the ranges till the summer is far advanced. The gullies being sheltered enjoy a milder atmosphere. There is a large and vell-Hupplied stream in the vicinity. The usual road to the Lindis gold field is" via Waikouaiti, thence by Sha"Valley and the Upper Taieri Plains, across the ranges to the head of the Manuherikia Valley; thence, following up the main-branch of theManuherikia Kiver, past Mount St. Bathan's to the Lindis Pass. Distance about IGO miles. Another road is by way of Oamaru, and a third over the Lammermoor Kanges and -Rough-ridge. But the first-named route is considered the best, as it is al*o the road to Highlay, Coal Creek," aud the Dunstan gold fields— and consequently, more travelled than any other. Dunstan River is another partially-deve-loped field. A-few miners have been digging there for come months, with what measure of success is best known to themselves.. The precise locality of their operations is at the confluence of the Dunstan with the Manuherikia River. At Moeraki Beach, gold of a very fine description is found in the sands of the seashore, mixed with iron-sand and fragmentary gems, Washing operations are now carried on opposite the' town of Ilampden, between the Big Kauri and Little Kauri streams. But the entire beach, as far as Shag Point, eppeara to consist of similar deposits. Gold, at the rate of 100 ounces to the ton, has been obtained from the 'clean-washed sand, and it would seem that if science and capital were brought to bear, a magnificent yield would be the result. The : Dunstan gold-field is situated on the Clutha lliver, at the south-western base of the Dunstan mountains, aud includes the spurs of the Carrick ranges on the opposite bank of the river, which has here worn a passage through the solid rocks. The workings are, at present, confined to the bars of the river, where the gold is found intermixed with magnetic iron-sand. The adjoining country is of an auriferious description, consisting of mride hills, and terraces of loose shingly or gravelly soil, which requires timber to work it. There are about 3,000 miners on the field, and these appear tobe doing well. The first escort will afford a criterion of the value of the field, some small quantities of gold have reached town already by private hand. There are patches of bush along the river, but the only timber available for mining purposes i's found near the lakes at the head of the Clutha,' where there is an extensive forest of black birch, r Coal, or rather lignite, abounds ; there is a fine seam of good quality cropping out on the eastbauks ofthe river near the junction ofthe Manuherikia.* ; The climate of this district is described as ■mild,- and dry in the -winter, although snow covers the surrounding mountains. Hartley and Keilly; state that whilst they were reaping their : golden harvest, from May to AWmst! rain rarely fell, and on three days only jvere they prevented from working by stormy weather.f In winter also the waters of the Clutha are at their lowest, and a larger extent of the rocKy bed, in the ledges of which the gold is retained, is within reach of the miners. The gold from this field is very fine and i scaly, but of very excellent quality. boats,'huye been placed on the river by^private enterprise, so that miners and their drays may cross at various points. y; Stores of all kinds are becoming more easily bbtainable'on the ground than they were at the first rush some weeks since. Cartage, however* still rules high* and miners are recommended to take! a supply, with them. .- There are several routes to the Dunstan. One is. via Tuapeka, and thence by Gardiner's,' Miller^and Baldwin's stations! and fromthe Jatterby a well-defined; track overthe Knobby Banges to ;tne. junction of the Manuherikia with the Molyneux. Distance from Tuapeka, ;70-;mile3.*-';;;This;roacl is represented as being impassible for drays, and in places difficult for -Ajiptberitfack, to "the ea ■tward. Of the: oti. i ii "s somewhat: more practicable, but.;'».^.A>; .y intersected; by the Teviot

strea'ni, which, when^'swollen," presents a formidable obstacle to further progress

Another route is from Dunedin by West i Taieri, over the Lammertnour ran^e* to the valley' of the Manuhurikia ; distance, about 110 miles. After leaving West Taieri there ,are no hotels or accommodation houses on the n ad, but the track pasae3 several stations, a list of which, together with their relative distances we subjoin :—llcaley's station, distant from West Taieri 10 miles; then:e to Thompson's, 12 miles ; thence to Valpy's, 35 miles; thence to Murison's, 5 miles ; thence to. Newton's, 14 miles; thence to Lowe's, 12 niiles; thence to the Clutha, 5 niiles. That portion of tbe road which is situated between Thompson's and Valpy's, winds acros3 the elevated region of the Lammermoors, upwards of 3,00J feet above the level of the sea.\ It is consequently bleak, and at: certain seasons not without Clanger.to personsunacquainted with the country, heinjj liable to heavy falls ol snow. • Beyond.this the road is fair and easy.

\ .A. third; route is via Waikouaitj and Shag i Valley, distance from WaikouaUi about 1201 miles. This road is much in favour with pedestrians^ as it passes through a serjes o( valleys, where the climate is proportionally milder. -A party of Government surveyors are now employed in finding or constructing a better and .more direct road—-a work which it Is to be hoped will be effected before the approach of next winter. .

From Tuapeka tothe Manuherikia Junction parties of miners have set in, at various parts of the route, and just below the junction the Government prospecting part3»Jiave secured a prospecting claim; in vvhat they havfe ascertained to be- a payable gold field. There is now a continuous chain of diggings from the Tokomairiro lliver to the upper Giutha Valley, for many of the miners h^avc penetrated beyond .the junction of the Kawarau into the untried but richly promising district beyond. Gold has been found as far north as Quartz Creek, a tributary of the Clutha, having its source in the ranges which divide Lake Wanaka Irom Lake Ilawea. In many a sheltered nook of the mountains, and on the unfrequented portions of the rivtr, prospector** are saugly ucstled, secretly gathering the golden spoils which nature has so abundantly scattered over the province.

The Nokomai diggings are the last discovered. The only gully at present opened i on Moa Creek—a branch of the Nokomai River—having its source under the remarkable conical hill known as the Steeple, in the Rocky Mountains. This gully—named Victoria sjulJy by the prospectors—is about four miles in length, and in breadth generally about a quarter of a mile* but contracting in some places to -20 or 30 yards. The depth of sinking is from 2 to 5 feet, and the gold is large, heavj', and waterworn. There is pfentv of scrub in the gully, and about 20 acres of timber, principally birch, at the head. The present population is probably about 1000.

The route to the Nokomai from Dimedin is via the main South lioad and Tokomairiro to the Molyneux Ferry—thence to the Long Ford on the Mataura river, which ig there crossed. The road then continues along the west bank of the river to within three miles of Mctvellar's station, where the Mat aura is again crossed, and the east bank is followed to the junction of the Nokomai River. The distance from Dunedin is ahout 170 tnile3. The following are the main points on the line of route, with their relative distances:—

Molyneux Ferry, distant from Dune-din 53 miles; thence to the Waiwera, 1G miles; thence to the Waruna, 12 miles ; thence to the Waipabi 6 miles; thence to the Waikaka, 15 miles; thence to the Mataura G nailes; thence to McKellar's, 32 miles; thence to the Nokomai, 25 miles.

There is an inn at the Molyueux Ferry, and an accommodation house .at the Waiwera. Between the - Wapahi and the Waikaka, the station of ltoberts and Itegree is passed, and on the Nokomai itself 13 Sir. Cameron's station. Stores are not yet on the ground, in sufficient quantities to supply a large population, and miners are, therefore, strongly advised not to start for the Nokomai without provisions.

The road by the Long Ford is passable for draj s. There is also another track—practicable only for packhorses—which diverges from the first track about half-way between Koberts's station and the Waikaka, crossing that river near the east branch, passing between Wakaia and Pyramid Hills, then crossing the Wakaia river, and following the east bank of the Mataura. This road is about 15 or 20 miles shorter than the other.

There is also a track about 2.5 miles in length, connecting Nokomai with the Dun Matt gold-field. Itis, however, little used, iuntunoover snow-covered mountains, and it will be safer for those who desire to cross from either locality to take the longer but more praticable route indicated above.

For the information of those ignorant of our Gold-fields regulations, we subjoin so much of them as will serve as a general guide, and prevent a new arrival from committing any serious breach of the law. °

Every person residing on agold-field and engaged in mining for gold, shall take out a miner's right; such miner's right to be carried on the person, and produced for inspection when demanded by the Warden or other officer, or by any person duly authorised in that behalf in writing by the Warden. Claims shall be classified thus :— 1. Ordinary claims, i.e., alluvial claims worked without the aid of sluices or machines. 2. Sluice and machine claims, i.e., alluvial claims worked with the aid of sluices or puddling machines. 3. Wet claims, i.e.,, alluvial claims in flooded ground which cannot be wrought without the aid of appliances lor drainage. 4. Creek or river claims, i.<?., alluvial claims in the beds of creeks or rivers. 5. Quartz claims. . ,

1. Ordinary claims shall not exceed 30 feet by 30 feet for each person, unless the depth of sinking exceeds ,50 feet, in which case such claim may be extended to 35 feet by 35* feet. ,2. For sluice and machine claims in worked and abandoned ground, the Warden may grant an extent of ground not*exceeding treble the above area.

3. Wet claims shall not exceed 40 feet by 40 feet for each person. 4. Creek or river claims shall not exceed 50 feet for each man employed thereon, nor be more than 300 feet in length, in the whole, to be measured in the direction of the course of the stream, by a width not: exceeding the boundaries of the bed of the creek or rivtr, as defined by the Warden : or other officer duly authorised in that behalf. ; .

5. Quartz claims shall not exceed 30 feet in Icngtlr along the1 course of the lode or veio, by a width hot exceeding 100 feet upon each side of the course, for each person; and no claim shall exceed in the whole 120 feet in length by 200 feet in width. : ' : -.

She number of single claim^ that maybe occupledin one. block by any party of miners shaUbeasfollovys:— "■■ .'■■■', ' '1. Iniordinary claims, not more than four t single claims. ;/. 2. In sluice and machine claimsi, not more -•. than iivejungle claims. ;.' .; !3. In wet claims, not more than six einffle r\-: .v •■', claims. n> : - s <M.., ..,..,..- . - .;; .;. ... , b ,

"* Claimsshallbe'iuarlred by"pcgs-fitanding*t!t-ieast two feet above the surface of the grourd. or by trend es at each corner thereof; and such peg 3or trenches shall be maintained during the occupancy of the ground: Pro', vided, that when any corner cvmot be! sj 1 marked on account of the nature of the ground, such peg or trench jnay be placed at the' nearest practicable point. _ No person shall be deemed to possess a* va!i I title to any claim, unless tbe same shall be fairly worked during the entire period of occupancy; and any claim unworked beyon-i. the space of twenty-four hours, shall bedeemed to be forfeited,- unless sufficient reason, such us sickness or other urgent canse, shall be proves! to the sitisfiction of the Warden.

Any person discovering new gold working*, and being desirous of obtaining an increased area thereon, must immediately report such discovery, with'full particulars thereof, to theWarden or other proper authority. Discoverers of new gold workings, distant not less than half a mile from existing workings, may have allotted to them an extent of ground not exceeding treble the area ot an ordinary claim; and the discoverers of nevv gold workings distant not less than ten milai Irom existiug workings, may have allotted .them an extent of ground not exceeding quadruple the area of an ordinary claim: Provided, that the increased grant shall not be given^to more than four persons composing any party. The discoverer of an auriferous quartz reef may have allotted to him aa area not exceeding in the whole 200 feet in* length, measured along the course of the lode or vein, by a width of 100 feet upon each side of the course. -

Superiority of right to a supply of water shall hi determine.l by priority of occupation, the earlier occupant having the superior ri^ht. In all cases, when the occupier claim?, under a certificate, or other authority, in writing, granted by a Warden or Commissioner, occupation shall be taken to have commenced at the date of such certificate or authority. The cutting and formation of races must be commenced within one calendar month fro.n the date of regiatration, and the occupiers sha!l continue cutting and forming the same until the work n completed, otherwise any superiority of right to which they may be entitled by virtue of such registration shall be deemed to be forfeited.'

If auy race is abandoned for the space of one calendar month, at a time when water was available lor it, occupation of the right shall be deemed to have commenced at the last reoccupation thereof.

AH right to any race shall become forfeited, if abandoned for the space of one calendar month, unless in cases of sickness or unavoidable absence, or in consequence of failure of water; but it shall be lawful for the Warden, in his discretion, upon sufficient cause being shown, to suspend the operation of this regulation for a further period of one month, and such suspension shall be given in writing to the occupiers.

All races that may hereafter ho cut, shall have a point specified at which they shall be taken from the creek or river.- In races already cut, the point shall be taken to be the spot from which the race now heads. >To person shall shift or alter the head of any race without the written sanction of the Warden, nor to the prejudice of any existing right. The alteration or extension of a race at any time shah not in any way affect any right or privilege attached to such race; and the holders thereof shall, during such alteration or extension, be deemed to be in occupation of all the rights and privileges attached to such race.

V. Dams and Puddling Machines. !•— Dams and Puddling Machines. Any person intending to farm a dam, or to erect a puddling machine, shall give notice thereof m writing to the Warden, in the form hereinafter prescribed, aud shall post and maintain for a period of seven clear days, copies of such notice upon the intended site"of such dam or machine, aud at interrals not ex eeeding 100 yards along the course of any proposed bludge-d rains connected therewith. And if no valid objection be entered within seven days from the posting and service of such notice, the Warden may grant a Certificate of Registration to the applicant. FORM OP SOTICK. _ ' (District and date.) To the Wcrden at . I hereby give notice that L intend to (form a dam, or erect a puddling-inachine, as the case may be) at ( * ). (Signature and address in fall of applicant)— * Here describe the locality, and ia the case of a puddhn»-raaehiue state the proposed course of the sludge drains. JS'o person shall take possession of any claim, race, dam, machine, or any other tfght or privilege whatsoever (unless the same shall have been absolutely relinquished) without first obtaining the consent of the owner?, or , the authority of the Warden.