The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1862.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 5, 25 November 1862, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1862.

Rumors of extraordinary finds of gold to the noitb-east of Mr. Rees' run were rife on Sunday. It was stated Jhat a digger had brought into town 31bs- of very coarse gold. Later in the day, Mr. Macgre^or brought down I7lbs. weight from the same locality, giving glowing descriptions of its fertility. "We saw this gold in the Bank of New South Wales yesterd-iy, and a very fine specimen it certainly is, some of it waterworn, not unlike the original Waikatip gold found on Rogers' run, some of it not waterworn, and all of it coarse. A member of Fox's party also brought into town some 26 ounces which we inspected in our office. Rumor has exaggerated the amount of gold Obtained, but the discovery of a new and remarkably rich gold-field to the north and northeast of the Waikatip Lake is certain. How does this affect Invercargill and Southland generally ? i The fact of both Mr. Macgregor and the member of Fox's party coming to Invercargill at once, wiih a portion of their gold, for supplies, is not without significance. They were strangers to Invercargili, they went up to the Dunstan via Dunedin, and they were consequently acquainted with that route ; their interests were connected with that city, and yet, on finding a *' lob.'' they make for Invercargill in order to obtain supplies. From all we can gather from men who have carted from Dunedin to the Dunstarjt the distance is as follows : —

Dunedin to Tuapeka ... 70 miles. To Millar's SO „ To Mmaburn 28 „ To Low's 14 „ To Camp on Molyneux, above junction Manuherikia ... ... 12 „ Total ... 154 „

This is to the highest point on the Clutha to which drays can go ; from thence to all the country north and west of that river supplies must be taken upon pack horses. Now, from Invercargill to the foot of the "Waikatip Lake, by the Great North Road, the distances are as follows : — Invercargill (o the Elbow — an easy and excellent

road . . . . ... 52 miles. To Rogers.. ... ... is „ To south end of Lake . . 14 „ Total .. 84 „

The Lake itself is easily navigated, and in fact drains all the country to the west aod north-west of the Clutha the seat of not only the present diggings, but we may, without being con sidered Utopian, trust the site of future ones ; for it is a remarkable fact that the further north and west the Otago digger goes the richer is the yield. It will be seen that, as far as land carriage is concerned, we have an immeasurable advantage in poiut of di&tanee over **unediu, and we may safely . assert thaiMje great north road, passing as , it does through a perfectly level

country, is equally superior in facilities for cartage. This road is being rapidly formed 'by the Government as far as the boundary of our .Province ; from thence to the Lake, there is Mr. Rees' dray track, a level and easy road which winds through the valley of the Mataura. With respect to the navigation of the Lake, we understand that Mr. ltees is having, a boat of 20 tons built, which he expects to have completed in about a month, for the purpose of conveying passengers and supplies to the new diggings. It is significant as to the future prospects of these diggings, that a gentleman, resident on the spot, conceives it advantageous to provide without delay a means of transit ; Mr. Rees, by the way, has hitherto not only obtained his supplies from Invercargill, but also has brought his wool here for shipment. Should these gold-fields progress as anticipated, the boat now building will not be sufficient to m^et the requirements of the public: there is a fine opening for private enterprise ; timber exists in any quantity on the margin and islands of the Lake, and doubtless such a sale aud profitable speculation will attract the attention of men both !n Otago aud Southland. "With luvereargill the first port of call to one of the richest gold-fields yet discovered — fields which, from the extent of country they embrace, may be reasonably expected to last for a considerable time — commanding the navigation of the Waikatip Lake, Southland may look forward to taking up even a better position amongst the Provinces of New Zealand than she does now. The last Customs report places her fourth as regards revenue, aud third in poiut of material advancement. What may not her position be twelve months hence? | » . I We are indebted to our contemporary fur some excellent tidings from his new diggings on Lake Wakatip. Whilst other men have coufined their attention to its east coast, the Houthla-rui Aews, impelled, no uoubt, by a strong southerly wind, has in fancy visited its western shore, and already raised gold to the amount of iJOO lbs. in 14 days. So important is it that the public should have the latest aud best iufcrmation, tLat distance and direction are eutirely overlooked, and Conroy'sGully, an already well established portion of the Duustan gold-fieid, is placed in a part of the country almost, if not entirely, uuknovvn to the digger. Our friend, however, is a '• canny chiel'' and cautious his readers [may they never be less] not to make a tush until he shall have furnished them with authentic information, which he is in hourly expectation of receiving. Will he condescend to enlighten our miserable stateof opacity, that we also may know bow to make a goldfield ? On the appearance of yesterday's Southland Sews Extraordinary, we lelt fiiint, and, iollowhig our conteinpoifiry's example, had an ''interview with Mr. Livesey," aud left the establishment of that gentleman much refreshed. Joking apart, heresay intelligence, obtained second-hand at the bar of a hotel, is not what the public are entitled to from those who profess to supply them with information.