LATEST FROM THE PALMER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4023, 9 January 1875, Page 6 (Supplement)

LATEST FROM THE PALMER.

The following extracts from the Cooktown Herald of December 12th contain the latest news to hand from the Palmer lliver Diggings :— i'rorn a Mr Baker, an experienced miner, who lists just returned from ths Palmer, we hear csntiancu good accounts from that field. Some people, ho says, I know are getting gold—from 4dwt to lOdwt a day— that is, those miners who settle down to work stoacliiy in one claim. But there in such an extent of country that maiiy are always en the move, trying a dish heie and a dish there, but not working, and getting therefore very little. The Chinamen are working tlie bed of the river, and some of the old ravines and gullies abandoned by Europeans. As far as our informant couH ascertain, they were doing very well by their uninterrupted hard labour. They are not on Oakey or Sandy Creeks. There is a good deal of sickness, but not more than might be expected on a new field, ill-supplied wiUi rations. Iv r fact, there was much mere sickness on the Ptnk Downs than on the Palmer, and when the scarcity of provisions and the price aud quality is considered, one is only surprised that there have not been njoip deaths. Beef tides now at Is, taken at the butcher's shop ; ipuv, ?s; tea, f>s; tobacoo, 10s ; boots, from iGa to 20s. Some- ! times one may get goods cheaper, but that is wlienapickey has nearly sold out, and wishss to clear the remaining goods quickly. As to the reefy they are generally very good, but even when machines are placed there the crush • ing must be dear, and none but the richesfcreefs will pay. This will be cutiacd by tho difficulty cf procuriug firewood, and the cost of cartage. Firewood will be a most expensive item, though the scarcity of hoi-se-fee*d must not be neglected. The feed for them will have to be taken \\r> from Ocnktown, Some patches o'good stone wereerushed andpannecl off in his presence, and there xvero about 202j. in a small flow bag. Kct-ping horses and the expense of firewood will be the only drawback to the development of the reef.-!, and will always keftp the price of crushing vcrv high. There are about in many people going upas there are com'ng down. A groat number of people have returned from the Mitchell and set in to work again on the old field, and several parties have gone out prospecting. Soms miners drop on a coarse bit- now and again. One mau found a specimen weighing 20)Z3. in the rough, and 17gzs. pure°gokl° at Mistake Ureek, when our informant wa-3 there. I

" It is encouraging," says the Herald, " to hear late Palmer arrivals all declare their intention of returning after taking a speil down South. V/p. have semi ocr; miner who left with the prospectors on their second trip from the Etheridge, and who has been working there ever since with the exception of the last rainy season, when he came to Cooktown.. He speaks well of the field, and was obliged to leave only through an attack of scurvy, he aud his mates being at the time in a very good claim. He doesf not intend to give up the diggings.*'