LINDIS GOLD FIELDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 492, 4 May 1861, Page 5

LINDIS GOLD FIELDS.

We have to thank Edward M'Glashan, Esq., who has recently returned from a visit to the Lindis District, for the following interesting particulars of the gold fields which have been discovered in the northern portion of this Province : —

Sir — I have doited down a few facts and observations relative to the Lindis Gold Diggings, which I trust will prove acceptable to your readers, but more especially to those who may be intending to proceed thither. Accompanied by Mr. Leggatfc, of Moeralu, I arrived at the gold field on Monday, the 15th April, where I found about 75 men (the number on the diggings will now be between 300 and 400) engaged in the exciting work of prospecting and washing on the Lindis Stream and its small tributaries ; the Lindis itself being a tributary of the Molyneux (or " Clutha " of present time), rising in the range of mountains that divide the basin of the Molyneux from the Waitaki.

After visiting some of the parties at work, I was about returning to take up my quarters at Mr. M'Lean's home station, when a party of diggers with whom we met kindly invited me to pass the night in their font, of which I gladly availed myself, being anxiou3 to look about on the following day, and wishing to gather as much information and facts from their .oS^d' statements as possible. • ■

After partaking of their hospitable fare of beet-steaks and the usual bush liquid— all the better enjoyed after a long ride— an adjournment to the tent took place, where luxuriating on oppossnm rug and meerschaum olium cum dignitate, we held levee and /torero. During the evening many of the diggers visited the tent, when discussions took place, aud I must say I

was delighted to meet with so many intelligent, active, and well-disposed spirits — men really anxious to keep order and discipline in the absence of some superior authority — as is proved by their manifesto.

Although gold had been found previously on the Lindis, to Samuel M'lntyre belongs the honour of discovering it to be a payable gold field, and the following certificate has been placed in u\y hands, with the view of preferring a claim for the reward :—": — " We, the undersigned diggers in the Lindis Valley, hereby certify that Samuel M'lntyre was the first discoverer of the gold, and that he is entitled to the l-eward offered by Government, the field being a payable gold field." (Signed by 43 of the diggers.) In conversation with M'lntyre he informed me that lie was induced to try for gold from the resemblance of the country to the California diggings, where he had formerly been mining, and that he had found gold in various localities without any difficulty, extending from the Lindis to the Hawea, from which lie is induced to believe that the field will prove both a large and rich one. At my visit I found the diggers located in the first gorge of the Lindis, and the washing stuff, the gravel, on the banks of the river. I observed, however, that they were about spreading over a greater surface, and that some attempts had been made in sinking through the gravel, but had been given up, apparently lor want of the necessary material for working. The Pioneer company had also commenced to turn the channel of the river.

The character of the rock in the Lindis is a soft blue slate, plentifully intersected with small veins of quartz, evidently the matrix of the gold ; a pipe-clay also exhibits itself on the banks Of the river. This description of strata I observed to commence near the shearing reserve, in Passburn Creek,' extending down the Lindis to the Lake country ; from thence, I have been informed, the same description of rock extends over a large extent of mountainous country, to the westward of the Molyneux and south of the Wakatip Lake. (May not the westward of the watershed of these ranges ba the source also of the gold found in the Mataura ?) Three years ago, when attempting to get over the Dunstan Mountains into the Manuherikia, I observed that this range was also of the same description of slate, and as gold was found by Mr. Garvie in the Manuherikia ltiver, it is quite possible the gold-field extends into that locality.

In the event of the localities noted proving a ricli gold field, an agricultural population might settle down to supply the wants of the miners, the land in the Molyneux and Manuherikia being of first-rate quality and beautifully grassed. Manuka scrub of good size is met with on the Lindis, and forests of birch on the hills at the sources of the Lindis. At the Hawea Lake, also, pine and birch exist in abundance, and forests of timber to the westward of the Wanaka and Wakatip Lakes, which may be found to be accessible. Coal also is found in the Waitaki and in the Manuherikia.

The gold met with on the Lindis and Hawe.i is both nuggery and scaly ; nuggets of the size of horse beans have been found. Two men, Doclierty and Falconer, who have been "working together for several weeks, assured me they had averaged over an ounce per day each. I believe, however, they had been the most successful up to that time. I noticed some large finds by sluice washing ; at the same time others were not so successful. Never having been on a gold field previously, I do not consider myself qualified in forming a correct judgment as to the value of the washings ; but Mr. Gibson, of Dunedin, who bus had considerable experience on the Australian gold fields, and who was also on a visit to the diggings, informed me that he believed the field to be very rich, and would be eusily worked, although he supposed no large finds would be mot with such as in Australia. He defined it as " a poor man's gold field." However, the field will be soon more thoroughly tested, as experienced miners have since gone into the district with the necessary appliances for working it properly.

The men I met with at the diggings seemed well satisfied with their prospects ; they were anxious, however, thafc Government ■would take immediate steps to place them in a proper position before the stream of population set in. The first party being pretty well known to each other, they had no fears of working harmoniously, but dreaded the result of delay on the part of Government.

They -assured me they would willingly pay for a miner's license, provided they had protection. A commissioner is wanted, police, an escort, and post ; they also desire that immediate steps be taken in reference to the road lines.

Koads are most desirable, so as to enable provisions to be carried at a moderate rate ; there ai'e no great difficulties in forming a good road for horse drays from Oamaru to Borton and M'Master's ; a drain or two is all that is required. Further up the Waitaki, cuttings on the river banks require to be made, and the line of road laid out straight ; from M'Lean's station to Mr. Julius' is the worst part of the roud ; then uutil you get into Pass Burn no obstacle occurs. A few thousand pounds would be well spent on this line of road ; an American waggon, with good horses, would then have no difficulty in making six or eight miles an hour. Were Government at once to proceed with the work, no doubt labour could be got easily. Men who would be afraid of winter quarters at the diggings, or those who have no means to furnish supplies, would be glad to work for small wages. I met men proceeding to the diggings who had no money, and who snid they would gladly work for their food during winter.

There is another subject to which I would allude, and that is, Accommodation Houses. It is impossible that the stations can give up their houses, and cook for all and sundry travellers ; to their honour be it said, that at the stations on the line, viz., Julius', Andrews', Robkon's, Gooch & Miller's, and M'Lean's, the proprietors nnd servants have cheerfully done their utmost to alleviate the wants of travellers ; but, as miners are flocking to the diggings in scores, it will become impossible for the station-holders to supply their wants. As a remedy, I would suggest that Houses of Accommodation bo cither built by Government and leased, or ground leased for that purpose to such as would be willing to build, — binding such parties to erect houses of certain dimensions, with stables, &c. The Canterbury Government regulations on this point are exceedingly good, they even regulate the charges of horse feed, which is also a desideratum.

To intending diggers, more especially those who are in good employment, I should say, delay proceeding thither until the winter is over — at all events, until you are prepared to encounter the winter's cold by an abundant supply of provisions and sufficient clothing and housing. Although the low country may not be blocked up by snow, still it is evidently subject to very keen frosts ; and it may so happen, as it was last year, that the passes may be blocked up with snow for several weeks ; besides, the diggings want further proving.

I have allowed myself to be rather more lengthy than I anticipated ; but as many eyes are cast upon the diggings, I trust the observations and suggestions I have made will give some idea of the nature of the country, and also of the hardships to be endured by the miner. All will not be successful in the pursuit of digging ; besides, the expenses of living will every day increase : draymen, it is said, have already raised the charges to £40 a ton from Oamaru to the Lindis.

It should be noticed that J. T. Thomson, Esq., chief surveyor, in his sketch of the Piovince, mentions the existence of gold in the Lindis. To this gentleman's energy and perseverance the province is certainly indebted for opening up a large tract of country for occupation. I am, yours truly, Er>. M'Glasiian.

Note. — Slate, accompanied with extensive veins of quartz, abounds on the Kurow, Kakanui, and Eock and Pillar Ranges, near to the sea coast ; and trace's 1 of copper have been noticed.