THE GOLD FIELDS MANUAL FOR NEW ARRIVALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 270, 31 October 1862, Page 7

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 j Creek, Mount Highlay, the newly discovered Dunstan and Nokomai Diggings, and 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 auriferous country,but hitherto mining operations have mainly been limited to Gabriel's Gully, the scene of Mr. Read's early discoveries, Wetheratone's and Monroe's Gullies, and the banks of the Tuapeka River. From these localities alone, 336,409 ounces of gold have already been transmitted by escort to Dunedin. Miners are doing well on this field. Scattered parties of prospectors are found in the adjacent irullics. 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, 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 untovched, all attempts to bottom having been defeated by the influx of water. As the Government have, however, consented to fovm a storm water channel for the purpose of draining the flat, we may expect that this part of the field will shortly be rendered accessible to the miners.

The wa.shdirt 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 bills are the favorite sites, but along 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, &c Lignite for fuel 13 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 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 is now estimated at 1,700 persona, of whom only 700 are mineFS. 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 Woolshed and the ranges, 50 miles. Present population, 1,500. 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 t roperty, 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 wes 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 nn escort has been dispatched from the Woolshed, the amount ol 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 300. 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 Lammerlaw mountain?, 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 of large trees in a state of good preservation exist immediately under the soil, and these aTe stated to be available not only for fuel, but for slabbing and other purposes, The gold found at Waiperi i 3 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 yalue.

The route from Dunedin is by West Taieri and the Maungatua ranges. Distance, forty miles

Not far from the Waipori river 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. All these fields continue to yield remuneraive employment to the miners engaged upon them, and there is ample room for many more. The Mount Highlay diggings are situated in the valley of the Upper Taieri, 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 i scattered over the surrounding country in ' every direction. The population of this field has never been large—and at present the number is estimated at 500 miners. When it was discovered, 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 con«t in Ik elevation above the sea level and ar.

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, as 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 Higblay 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 spareness of the population is taken into account.

The gold at Timbrel's is rough and heavy, greatly resembling the Waipori gold. That from Peep Dell is finer, and more waterworn. A quartz reef, in the stone of which fine* gold is apparent, was discovered at Mount High lay, 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 Run, (No. 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 Blueskin; but it 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 River, 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 iv 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 after it was first rushed, the more brilliant attractions of (jrabriel'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 confined to one ior two small gullies, near the Lindis Pass on the head-waters of the river of that name. The gold is heavy and nuggetf.y. 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 well-supplied store in the vieinit}'. 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 third over the Lammermoor Ranges 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 more 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, 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 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 principally confined to the shallow beaches and river bars, where fine gold is found intermixed with magnetic iron sand. The melting of the snow has lately caused a "fresh " in the river, in a great degree preventing the pursuance of the mode of operations. But the adjacent valley of the Manuherikia presents abundant indications of being highly auriferous, consisting as it does of extensive " flats," with " made hills" and terraces. The sinking would be through loose gravel, requiring timber for slabbing. But the depth is not great, and timber is now being rafted from the Lake country at the head of the river. Parties have commenced tunnelling from the banks, on a very limited scale, and large gold has been found. It is believed that, if properly worked, a rich harvest will be the result. There are about 4,000 miners on this field. These appear to have done well. Six thousand ounces have been brought down by escort, 2,000 ounces have reached town by private hand, and it is estimated that an equal quantity has been sent to Tuapeka, making an aggregate of 10,000 ounces. Large quantities still remain in the hands of the miners owing to the want of cash on the field for purchasing. A fortnightly escort service has now been established. 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 seam of good quality cropping out on the east banks of the river near the junction of the Manuherikia. 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. Punts and boats have been-placed on the river by private enterprise, so that miners and their draya may cross at various points.

Stores of all kinds are becoming more easily obtainable on the ground than they were at the first rush. Cartage, however, still rules high, and provisions are consequently very dear; miners are therefore recommended to take a supply with them. There are several routes to the Dunstan. One is via Tuapeka, and thence by Gardiner's, Miller's, and Baldwin's stations; and from the latter by a well-defined track over the Knobby Hanges to the junction of the Manuherikia with the Molyneux. Distance from Tuapeka, 70 miles. This road is represented as being impassable for drays, and in places difficult for pack-horses Another track, to the eastward of the former is somewhat more practicable, but one part is intersected 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 West Taieri there are no hotels or accommodation houses on the road, but the track passes several stations, a list of which, together with their relative distances we subjoin :—Healey's station, distant from West Taieri 10 miles; theiice 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 Clutha, 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, being liable to heavy falls ol snow. Beyond this the road is fair and easy

A. third route is via AVaikouaiti 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 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.

The miners have extended their operations along the Kawarau for nearly eight miles. They are also working on the Enrnscleugh and other tributaries of the Upper Ciutha towards the Lindis River. The Manuherikia River is also being successfully prospected. A.t the junction of the latter with the Ciutha,the Government prospecting party have secured a claim, in what they have ascertained to be a payable gold field. On the Teviot stream and other creeks intersecting the route from Tuapeka, several parties of miners have set in and continue working. There is now a continuous chain of diggings from the Tokomairiro Iliver to the upper Ciutha Valley, for many of the miners huve 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 Ciutha, having 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 river, 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 at present opened is on Moa Creek—a branch of the Nokomai River—having its source under the remarkable conical hill known as the Steeple, in the liocky 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 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'route to the Nokomai from Dunedin is via the main South Road and Tokomairiro to the Molyneux Ferry—thence to the Long Ford on the Mataura river, which is there crossed. The road then continues along the west bank 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 their relative 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 G 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. - The present population is estimated at abaut 300, but a great number of miners are scattered over the surrounding country pros'pectirig in every direction. From a recent report it would appear that the Nokomai is not turning out so rich as was at first expected. But it is only fair to say that except in the upper part of Victoria Gully the ground has not been tested, oAving to the heavy influx of water, and the want of proper appliances to keep it clear. The depth of sinking to the bed rock is about 20 to 25 feet, through loose shingle, and the slate bottom dips rapidly from the head of the gully where only has it been reached at a depth of from 2 to 5 feet. The claims of the prospectors and-those immediately adjoining, have averaged; about half an ounce a day per man. Mining operations on the Nokomai have been attempted in several places, but the depth, loose nature of sinking, and quantity of water, has hitherto rendered prospecting mpossible. On the Waikaia River, to the S JE. of the Steeple Hill, from which it is distant about 8 miles, payable ground has recently been struck. The prospectors' claim has been proved to yield about half a pennyweight to the pan of coarse gold, with 2 feet of wash dirt, and a soft slaty bottom The Waikaia is nearer to Dunedin, whence it is reached by following the Nokomai road to Roberts's station, midway between which and the Waikaka, there is a track which crosses that river near the east branch leading direct to the Wakaia. The road this way is about 140 miles. From Moa Creek to the Waikaia is 10 miles. The road Jby 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 Roberts'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 25 miles in lengthy connecting Nokomai with the Dunstan gold-field. It is, however, little used, running orer 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. ,