DISCOVERY OF A NEW GOLD FIELD ON THE WEST COAST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 782, 20 June 1864, Page 5

DISCOVERY OF A NEW GOLD FIELD ON THE WEST COAST.

Some fourteen weeks ago considerable anxiety was felt at Queenstown as to the fate of a party of miners who were supposed to be prospecting towards the West Coast. A gentleman who arrived in Dunedin yesterday evening informs us that on the 14th inst., a report was received in Queenstown from the trooper at the head of the Lake, announcing the return of the party in question. They were discovered in a most deplorable state somewhere at the head of the Lake, and were rescued by Mr Rees's yacht Pearl and conveyed to that gentleman's Station. They had been snowed up for a fortnight, and describe their sufferings as something frightful. When leaving the diggings they had taken a good supply of tools, guns, and ammunition, hoping to be able to furnish themselves with food. In this, however, they were disappointed, as they scarcely found anything to supply their wants. They were reduced to the verge of starvation, and their appearance is described as something fearful. When rescued, the first thing they asked for was a smoke, but it made them quick sick, as did also the first food given to them. The men state they penetrated to Jackson's Bay on the West Coast, both in this Province and Canterbury. Everywhere they seem to have found gold, and in several places very rich deposits. They describe almost the whole of the country between Wakatip and the coast as auriferous, and they also discovered traces of copper and other minerals. Mr Barrington, the leader of the party, was compelled to throw away his maps, &c, but before doing so he reduced them on slips of paper, and expresses himself confidently as to being able to again pursue the same route when the weather renders such a . thing practicable. The men made no claim for reward, but say that they have no doubt as to the ultimate value of their discovery and will trust to the generosity of the Otago and Canterbury Governments. The country is well wooded and not difficult of access in summer, but during the winter quite inaccessible at least from the Wakatip. The route pursued appears to have been in a direct N.E. line from the Wakatip, and through a country not previously prospected.