THE DUNSTAN ESCORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 567, 11 October 1862, Page 3

THE DUNSTAN ESCORT.

The escort from the Dunstan diggings, in charge of Sergeant-Major Bracken, arrived in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon by the steamer from Wakiouaiti witn 6,03 loz. The gold was carried by pack-horses from the Dunstan to Waikouairi, rather more than two days being occupied in the journey, and there wna a day's waiting for the steamer. The escort started on Tuesday." There can be no doubt that the 6,00*00z represents rather the purchasing power of those on the ground than the productiveness of the field. A gentleman who left the Dunstan a week since, and who took pains to ascertain the facts, states that there was not then a sufficiency of notes in the hands of the buyers to purchase 3,000 ozs of gold, and that the quantity held by diggers was undoubtedly very large. It must be rememlered, too, that published accounts prove that between 2,0000z and 3,0000z have been brought to Dunedin by private hand, apart from the very many small parcels that have been brought down direct, or that found their way td Tuapcka.

Unquestionably more than 8000 ois. have come to hand from the Dunstan, or one-half the quantity stipulated by the Government as the condition of Messrs Ilaitley jiml Reilly receiving the reward of LIOOO each ; and barely half of the three months allowed has yet expired. The next escort will be a much fairer representation of the value of the Dunstan. diggings, i^ian this first one possibly could be.