THE RUSH TO THE DART VALLEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1916, 10 August 1888, Page 12

THE RUSH TO THE DART VALLEY.

(FuuM Our Own Correspondent.) Abrowtown, August 3.

As a movement of miners lo the reaches of tho Upper Dart is setting In, aud the most is made by some newspapers of the "rush," a plain exposition of the facts of the case will prove of service to miners on the look out for a new goldfield. The Dart river is by far the largest stream falling into Lake Wakatipu, and its valley and its tributaries are of considerable extent. The river is extremely dangerous to ford, as it has a shifting bottom and rises very quickly, and it has engulphed quite a number of miners and others. The nearest settlement to the locale of the present excitement is Kinloch, which is reached from Quceustowo by steamer. There are, however, several stations eight miles up the valley. After that the country is uninhabited, except by a few Chinese and European miners, causing the present rush. Since the first advent of the miners in this district it became known that gold existed in the valley over a considerable area in moderately paying quantities, but the physical difficulties and the inhospitable climite of the locality have hitherto interfered with the ground being worked with any satisfaction, although mauy attempts to do so were made at different times. It is now reported thnt one party of Europenn sni-iors have been making from £4 to £5 per week pt-r man for some time, and that several parrici of Chinese are also doing well. On the strength of these reports the present excitement is founded, and it may be well to caution people not prepared either physically or financially to go out into these only partially explored wilds »t the present time of the year. Quite a number of miners qualified in every respect to give the place a thorough trial are now on the road to U, and news will shortly bo available as to their success or otherwise. Judging, however, from the extent of the valley and the nature of the couutr3% and the gold obtained from it, there is good reason to hope that a large number of miners will find employment in this part of the Wakatipu district. Quartz abounds in the valley, especially in its upper portions, and the rock i-: favourable to the existence of lodes as well i« to thit of alluvial gold. .

August 7.