THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 248, 6 October 1862, Page 6

THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW 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 ISokomai Diggings, nnd several minor fields, as Coal Creek, Lindis, the Dunstan River, Shag River, and Moeraki Beach.

Tuapeka, although not the oldest, is the best known and most extensively worked gold field. It comprises a large extent of probably aui iferous country, but hitherto mining operations have mainly been limited to Gabriel's Gully, the ecene of Mr. Read's early, discoveries, Wetherstone's and Monroe's Gullies, and the banks of the Tuapeka Kiver. From these localities - alone, 332,476 ounces of gold have already been transmitted by escort to Diihedihi Scattered parties of prospectors are found in the adjacent gullies, where they are quietly and steadily working. If surface indications , are be trusted, there are hundreds of these gullies which present the appearance of being equally rich with those originally opened, and no doubt many parties are now making 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 remains quite untouched, all attempts to bottom having 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 flat, we may ex- ; pe.ct that'this part of the field will shortly ' be rendered accessible to the miners. ' i 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 along the Tuapeka, hill workings "have ■ been resorted to with very great success. | is scarce in the immediate vicinity of the diggings. At the heads of the gullies' i there are patches of scrub for firewood, and I near the confluence of the Tuapeka with the' Clntha, there is timber available for slabbing, &eg

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

The route to Tuapeka from Dunedin is by the Main South' Road, via East Taieri and Lake Waihola to Tokomairiro, thence by the Wooisbed and Waitahuna.' Distance, 70 miles by the travelled road ; but from Cameron's Hotel,'on Tokohiairiro 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 Dunsran) is now estimated at 1,700 persons, of whom only .700 are rnineFs.' 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 W oplsheo. . Distance' by dray-road over Mount Stuart, 59 miles—via Woolshed 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 liiver, where some very rich ground has been opened ■up. Some of the auriferous lands in this locality are private vroperty, 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 tor 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 3,88.3 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 i February last, 6,155 ounces have been sent' down by that mode of conveyance. Situated higher up; in the spurs of .the Lammerlaw mountains, the climate is more severe than that of Tuapeka and Waitahuna; but Waipori presents an excellent and comparatively unr tried field for operations during the summer months^ Growing timber 'is very scarce in the vicinity, but beds of large trees in a state of good preservation exist immediately under the soil, "and ,these are stated to be available not only forjfuel, 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 purpose erecting.machinery to fairly test • its value. • . , .

The route from Dunedin.is by West Taieri and the Maurig^a ranges. Distance, forty miles ',;.:„■. - - J Not far from the Waipori river to the east- , ward is the Lee-stream, hitherto neglected,' except by a ' fevf -straggling parties, but on the banks of which gold' in payable quantities was long since discovered. All these fields-continue to yield remuneraive employment to the miners engaged upon them, andtliere is ample sroom for many more. T^e Mount Highlay diggings are eituated in the valley of the Upper Taieci, and the main workings are at Timbrel's Gully, and at Deep Dell and Filly Burn—tributaries of the Taieri River, but several parties of miners are scattered over the \ surrounding country in .■fevery direction. Tiie population of this field has.never'been large—not more than 250 or 300 miners—at any one time, having been located upon ; 'it, and at ".present 4he number is" reduced to '"a" minimum a few scores. When it -was disco-" vered, in June last, the inclemency of the weather tended to prevent the rush which

otherwise would, in all probability, have occurred. The diggings are situated at a considerable el evatidn 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 use. and scrub, for firewood is found on the margins of the streams, and in the hollows of the ranges Lignite is, a3 usual, procurable in the flats, and the ■ neighboring mosses yield good peat. Water is plentiful; and sluicing is in consequence the favorite mode of mining. Although the Mount Highlay 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.prhate hand are very considerable, when the sparseness of the population is taken i.ito account.

The gold at Timbrel's is rough and heavy, greatly resembling the Waipori gold. That from Deep Dell is finer, and more waterworn.

A; quartz reef, in the stone of which fine gold is apparent, was discovered at Mount liighlayi and 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 River, and Hamilton's and Wayne's station (No. 109) to Saxton's River (No!. 210), on vvhich 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 Blueskm; but ifc is exceedingly bleak, rugged, and difficult, and impeded -by dangerous morasses, both on the margins of the numerous intersecting streams, and on the tops of the ranges. Intending visitors to this field,will therefore do well to take the sea-route.

Murphy's Gully is on Hamilton and "Wayne's station, about seven miles from Highlay. Gold in fair quantities has been obtained there. Several of the creeks at the head of the Waikouaiti River, and the branches of the Shag Kiver, are also known to be auriferous; but so few are the miners in the locality that this promising field -may be said to be as yet untried, and consequently undeveloped. Coal Creek, about twenty miles above Mount Highlay in a northerly direction, is one of the head branches of the Shag River. Sluicing operations are being conducted ia the bed, and on the banks of the creek with ".remunerative results. The mining population is very small, but will probably increase during the summer months. , Lignite of a very superior description crops out on 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 flour, 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, alter it was first rushed, the more brilliant attractions of b-abriel'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 men- are still at work there, and the locality presents all the appearance of a large and rich gold field. The Lindis diggings are on the run of Mr. M'Lean (No. 216). They are confi-.ed to one or two small gullies, near the Lindis Pass on the 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 till the summer is far advanced. The gullies being sheltered enjoy a milder atmosphere. • There is a large and well*supplied ■ stream in the vicinity. The usual road to the Lindis gold field is via Waikouaiti, thence by Shag Valley and the Upper Taieri Plains, across the ranges to the head of the Manuherikia Valley ;_thence, following up the main-branch of the Manuherikia River, past Mount St. Bathan's to the Lindis Pass. Distance about 160 miles. Another road is by way of Oamaru, and a thirfi over the Lammermoor Manges'and Rough-ridge. But the first-named route is considered the best, as it is also the road to Highlay, Coal Creek, and the Dunstan gold fields— and consequently travelled than any other.

Dunstan River is another partially-deve-loped field. A few miners have been digging there for some 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 Hampden, between the Big Kauri and Little Kauri streams. But the entire beach, as far as Shag Point, appears to consist of similar deposits. Gold, at the rate of 100 ounces to the ton, has been obtained from the clean-washed sand, aud it would seem that if science and capital were brought to bear, a magnificent yield would be the resultThe Dunstan gold-field is situated on the Clutha River, at the south-western base of the Dunstan mountains, and 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 made hills and terraces of loose shingly or gravelly soil, which requires timber to work it. There I are about 3,000 miners on the field, and these appear to be 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 is found near the lakes at the. head of the Clutha, where there is .an extensive forest of black birch. Coal, or rather lignite, abounds; there is 'a .fine spam of good quality cropping out on the east banks of the river near the junction) of the Manuheriki'a.

-. The climate of this district is described as mild, and dry in the winter, although snow covers the surrounding mountains. Hartley and Reilly state that whilst they were reaping their golden harvest, from May to August^ rain rarely fell, and on three days only .were they prevented from working by stormy weather. 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 scaly, but of very excellent quality. ' Punts and boats have been placed on the river by private enterprise, so that miners and their drays may cross at various points. . Stores of all kinds are becoming more easily obtainable 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 Dunstari. One is.waTnapeka, 1 and,thence by Gardiner's, Miller's, and Baldwin's "stations; arid from the latter by a well-defined track over the Knobby -Ranges to the junction of tiie Manuherikia with the Molyneux. Distance, from Tuapeka, 70, miles., This road, is represented as'.being1 impassible for draya, And in places,difficult for: pack-horses Another track, to the ea tward ofthe & jr i 8 somewhat more practicable, feu« 1* by the Teviot

stream, which, when swollen, presents a formidable obstacle to further progress. Another route is from Dunedin by West Taieri, over the Lammermoor ranges to the valley of the Manuherikia; distance, about 110 miles. After leaving We3t Taieri there are no hotels or accommodation houses on the read, but the track passes several stations, a iist of which, together with their-relative distances we subjoin :—-Healey's station, distant from West Taieri 10 miles; thence 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 miles ; thence to the Ciutha, 5 miles. That portion of the road which is situated between Thompson's and Valpy's, winds across the elevated region of the Lammermoors, upwards of 3,000 feet above the level of the sea. It is consequently bleak, and. at certain seasons not without danger to persons unacquainted with the country, beimj liable to heavy falls of s,now. Beyond this the road is fair and easy. A third route is via Waikouaiti and Shag Valley, distance from -Waikouaiti about 120 miles. This road is much in favour with pedestrians, as it passes through a series of valleys, where the climate is pioportionably milder. A party of Government surveyors are cow 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 Tuapekatothe Manuherikia Junction parties of miners have set in, at various parts of the route, and just below the junction the Government prospecting party have secured a prospecting claim in what they have ascertained to be a payable gold field. There is nowa continuous chain of diggings from the Tokomairiro Kiver to the upper Clutha .Valley, for many of the miners have penetrated beyond the. junction of the Kawarau intojthe untried but richly promising district beyond. ; Gold has been found as far north as Quartz Creek, a /tributary of the Clutha, havmor its-source in the ranges which divide Lake Wanaka from Lake Hawea, In many a sheltered nook of the mountains, and on the unfrequented portions of the rivtr, prospectors are .snugly nestled, Secretly gathering the golden spoils which nature has so abundantly scattered over the province.

The Nokomai diggings are the last discovered. The only gully ak 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 gully 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, heavy, and waterworn. There is plenty 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 Dunedin is via the.main South Ltoad and Tokomairiro to the Molyneux Perry—thence to the Long Ford on the Mataura river, which is there crossed. The road then continues along the west, hank of the river to within three miles of McKellar's station, where the Mataura is again crossed, and the east bank is followed to the junction of the Nokomai River. The distance from Dunedin is about 170 miles. The .following are the main points on the line of route, with theirrelative distances:—

Molyneux Ferry, distant from Dunedin 58 miles; thence to the Waiwera, 16 miles; thence to the Waruna, 12 miles ; thence to the Waipahi 6 miles; thence to the Waikaka, 15 miles; thence to the Mataura 6 miles; thence to McKellar's, 32 miles; thence to the Nokomai, 25 miles.

There is an inn at the Molyneux Ferry, and an accommodation house at the Waiwera. ' Between the Waipahi and the Waikaka, the station of Roberts and Begree is passed, and on the Nokomai itself is Mr. 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.

TLe road by the Long Ford is passable for drays. There is also another track—practicable only for packhorses—which diverges from the first track about half-way between Robert's station and the Waikaka, crossing that river near the east branch, passing between Wakaia and Pyramid Hiils, 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 25 miles in length, connecting Nokomai with the Dunstan gold-field. It is, however, little used, running over 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 a gold-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 -; ■ ftfr drainage. - . 4, Cfeek or river claims, ie. t 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 abandonedground, the Warden may grant an extent of ground not exceeding treble the above area.

I; 3. Wet claims shall not exceed 40 feefc by '40 feet for each person, } . 4. Creek- or river claims shall not exceed 50 feet for each roan employed thereon, nor be more than 300 feet in length, in the whole, to.be measured in the directio?j of the bourse 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 .length along the course of the lode or vein, by a width not exceeding 100 feet upon each side of the course, for each person; and no ; claim shall exceed in the whole 120 feet in lerkth by -200 feet in width, ' - ■ • b *

The number of single claims that maybe occupied m one block by, any party of miners shall be as follows :—

1. In ordinary claims, not more than Tour / . single, claims*' : - •.'■-<; : ; , : 2. In'sluide and" machine claims, not more: than five siagie claims T" ~ J 3. In wet claims, not .more thansix aiogle claims

- Claims shall be marked by pegs standing at least two feet above the surface of the grourdi or by trendes at each corner thereof: and such pegs or trenches shall be maintained during the occupancy of the ground: Provided, that when any cornejr. cannot be so marked on.account of the nature of the ground, such; peg or trench may be placed at the nearest practicable point.

No person shall be deemed to possess a- valid title to any claim, unless the same shall be fairly worked during the entire period of occupancy ;, and any claim., unworked beyond the space of twenty-four hours, shall be (Teemed to be forfeited, unless sufficient reason, -such as sickness or other urgent cause, shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Warden.

Any person discovering new gold workings, and being desirous of obtaining an increased area thereon, must immediately report such discovery, with full particulars thereof, to the Warden 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 oi an ordinary claim; and the discoverers of new gold workings distant not lees than ten mile«« from existing 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 an 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 be determined by priority of occupation, the earlier occupant having the superior right. In all cases, when the occupier claims, under a certificate, or' other authority, iv 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 from the date of registration, and the occupiers shall continue cutting and forming the same until the work is completed, otherwise any superiority of right to which they may be entitled by virtue of such registration shall" be deemed to be forfeited.

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

All 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 ia writing to the occupiers. . - ...

All races that may hereafter'be cut, pshall 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. No 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 shall 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 ail the rights and privileges attached to such race.