LATER NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 290, 24 November 1862, Page 6

LATER NEWS.

REPORTED DISCOVERY OF FOX'S

RICH GROUND.

EXPECTED LARGE ESCORT.

DOUBTFUL REPORTS OF THE CARDRONA.

The following letter came to hand last night } having been brought by Mr De Wolf, who had come down on foot in three days. Mr De Wolf left early on Friday morning". He reports that on the night of Thursday, the Company's store at the Junction was stuck up, but the robber was caught. On the same night two draymen were stuck up, about two miles from the Junction township, and much maltreated, but one of the robbers had been apprehended, and the police were on the track of the other, who was known:—

our Special Reporter.) Junction Township, . Friday, 21st November, 1862.

An opportunity offers of perhaps conveying earlier intelligence from this field. As the time given to prepare this communication is exceedingly brief, and as 1 shall despatch a "special express,"immediately upon receiving authentic accounts from the new rushes, which should reach here to-morrow, it will be unadvisable to send more than a brief summary of facts.

The accounts received from the new rush on the Cardrona Creek have been very few* and are of a doubtful nature. It is uncertain whether some of these parties have even reached the place. Some say they are picking up gold in the old style, by simply "fossicking" with a knife; others says the whole thing is a s hoax," If the former ;had seen gold so Elentifully got, it is a difficult matter to understand ow they left it, though they state the want of provisions was the reason. The others have not apparently reached; the right spot. Which of these two statements is correct will he decided on the return of a practical miner, in whom your correspondent; has the fullest reliance. In despatching this messenger, to the real truth of the .prospector's statements, his qualifications were particularly regarded, and every confidence can be placed in his judgment, These subjects are mentioned, because there is a chance of this paper reaching youbeibrethe,"express"one. Eoxand party are a genuine fact., They d» not apply for a prospecting claim, preferring. another arrangement; a few personal' friends'- are thus' placed in an excellent position. If their (Pox & Co's) statements are true, those who are " laid on" will have no cause to complain of the agreement they

have made, The greatest secresy has been so far observed, and but for the exodus to the Cardrona, the parties going to this new discovery must- have had a very poor chance of reaching it without being tracked. .As it is, the locality will be declared on the 22nd, (Saturday.) That the 680 ounces was obtained by them in a fortnight, and wos also under their clever arrangements forwarded by ihe escort to town [though not in one amount) is now verified by the assertions of their friends in business here. Privately, and in confidence, these names are forwarded to you as a guarantee. Business men are not prone to encourage a nish from their own immediate locality ; but this is not under the present brisk state of affairs, taken into consideration by those who hay« the information in question, and are acting, as they state,' for Fox and party. This new development has given a further impulse to the feverish state of excitement here, and "onwards" is both tiij mot^o and principle acted upou. The very poor nature of the outfits that many start upon, must under the circumstances lead to much distress and a reactionary feeling, even if the discoveries are so positivs a fact as announced. No doubt gold in abundance exists; the "nugget;" are thickly sown in some places in this new district; but that all will be able to pickup those little acceptable presents isan impossibility. If, therefore, a cloud should intervene between the brilliant prospects held out, and its immediate results, let the openingl careers of this fieid, and those of Gabriel's and Waitahuna, be borne in mind. When gold is found in such quantities, and also of a heavy nature, time and circumstauces may safely be left to tell their own tale. An impatient feeling has sprung up liere, evidently produced by the continual announcement of rich finds, and unless the most extraordinary yields reported are immediately realised, people become discontented. The poorest ininer here would not speak of a prospert of a pennyweight to the lin dish. lv consequence ofthis state of feeling.the Dunstan gold field proper must be contented to hide its glory. The word "glory" is used most advisedly. The river would of itself alone establish the valued of Messrs Hartley and llei.ley's discoveries ; but the additional fact of sixty square miles being added to its dimensions, lea.is every one to entertain too sanguine expectations of any new place opened within its vicinity. A judicious level must be reached. Under these circumstances, it is beyond ray power to report any real practical advancement, of the district Numbers have come in and gone out again as quietly, to the newer scenes of operations. Many have left valuable c'aiins for what they deem greater attractions^awl the only class who remain steady are the business community, though even this body of our residents begin to be uttracted by the accounts received. Com oy-'.s, Potter's anil other gullies, have thus lost a large proportion of their population.

The Earnscleugh Riveuhas proved very patchy, and not reliable. It is for the present, out of favor. The climate is very severe there, though only 17 miles away, while this place is laboring under the depressing effects of a tropical sud, and a continual series of dust stoims (without intermission) that beat hollow, the Sydney " brick-fielder." Within a few miles, frozen currents and snow forty feet deep, exists, and here a meltin*, scorching sun., with dust that defies description.

The township is increasing since my last visit, and urgently requires the presence of a surveyor to l;iy out allotments. Mining pursuits in its immediate neighbourhood are steadily pursued, but further and. general particulars will be given in my next. Rowdyism is rapidly and fearfully increasing; the police must have buildings in which to place offenders. As this paragraph was being written, a person has just come in who had been stuck-up on the road between the two townships. He was robbed of seven pounds, and has likewise been very much maltreated. During a "free fight a pistol was also fired. Severe measures are require:!,' and the miners are already talking of organizing a Vigilance Committee. The police simply require "lock-up's," and the majority of the community being orderly disposed will at once put a stop to any further extension of this kind of action, so unusual to witness oil the gold fields of this Province. These are very serious remarks to make, but other circumstances prevent a further detail. The upper township is undoubtedly more orderly from the fact of the business people being more settled ;. but this one is gaining a most unenviable notoriety for scenes of violence.