OTAGO GOLD-FIELDS.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 7, 2 December 1862, Page 2

OTAGO GOLD-FIELDS.

ARRIVAL OF FOX AND PARTY AT THE DUNSTAN, FROM THE ARROW AND SHOTOVER RIVERS, Near Lake Wakatip, WITH 300 OUNCES OF GOLD. FURTHER PARTICULARS FHOM CARDRONA CREEK DIGGINGS. (From the Daily Times Special Correspondent.) HARTLEY TOWNSHIP, 24th November, 1862. Fox and party arrived here afc twelve o'clock on the 20th, and deposited 260 ounces, which they state is the result of three weeks' work. They have also sold a little over fltty ounces for current wants. The seat of their exertions is on the Arrow River, a tributary flowing into the Wakatip Lake. It is situated upon Mr. Kee's run. They do not apply for a prospecting claim in this locality. They also state that on the Overshot Creek, about ten miles distant and nearer Lake Wr'.atip, they obtained within an hour's time 7 ounces 18 pennyweights. As they do not a-*ain apply for a prospecting claim in this instance, It is a most difficult matter to understand their proceedings. They are confident as usual, and believe the country they have opened up will accommodate any number of miners, whether one or ten thousand. They will not apply for prospecting claims, preferring their own private arrangements and local knowledge. They further state that they know other places that will pay equally well. Bill Fox, as he likes to be called, is the chief man, and prides himself upon his experience and ability to baffle any parties who may endeavor to trace him. It was two of his mates who took down the twenty, two pounds weight, as mentioned in a previous despatch. Altogether they have obtained close upon six hundred ounces. Within two hours after Fox's arrival, your correspondent's special messenger also arrived, and he delivers the following report. As already stated, he is an intelligent practical miner, and a point of honour alone prevented his remaining near Fox's discovery. He does not wish hiß name to appear in print ; but it would be a poor recognition of his services' should testimony not be borne to the zeal with which he has executed the task at a probable loss to himself. He has left himself afc the mercy of new " mates," with whom he is not acquainted, and may on his return find his claim jumped. As he was instructed to enquire into the merits of both rushes, they will in his report be combined. It is slightly condensed. He says : — " I crossed the river (Clutha) near the junction with the Kawarau, and followed up the west bank. From the junction this branch runs through extensive flats. Table ranges, with gravelly terraces intersected these flats. Some parts of this formation are likely to ha auriferous, but the working of them is not a 6 present probable. Better means of getting timber, and a supply of provisions are required. It is a sluicing country, and would entail an outlay of capital", or large co-operative bodies of miners to get sluice heads of water to work effectively. 1 followed and crossed these Table Ranges till I reached the Cardrona Creek. I found 1,030 persons here on last Wednesday, (18th November.) The prospectors had then obtained, as far as I could find out, about three pounds weight of gold. No other person had then done anything. All seemed to be in a desponding kind of mood, though they did not blame the prospectors who they thought had only dropped on a patch. I think from the observations I made of the surrounding country, that gold i 3 to be found, but that it will require perseverance. I would not advise any one to go there, though very rich patches might at any moment turn up. They have so far found it on a land slip. I tliink good gold must be fouud somewhere about this place, but would go farther backwards fnm the creek. I will not state in which direction, as it might mislead people. If not successful elsewhere, I shall try this portion of the country. Leaving this quarter, I followed up the Cardrona Creek on the right hand. It splits into two streams, about ten miles up from the workings on the creek. You must still keep the right hand branch till you come to a saddle range. Immediately after coming upon this saddle hill, you see the Razor Back Ridge, as it is called there. This formation consists of burnt slate, but the gullies proceeding from it are more or less auriferous. Good gold will probably be found here. Passing the Razor Back, you descend into a rough flat, which you traverse for about a mile and a-half, and then reach another leading range which will take you to the Roy or Arrow River. This river is very deep, but you can ford it in places at two feet deep. To arrive at Fox's claim you must cross it. I found there fifty tents, and perhaps two hundred and fifty people. They are allcoutented with the results and prospects, I can give no general idea of the gold obtained, as people would not tell. The answer was, "I am , satisfied." I do not think it was very rich, but good. It is a very large river or creek, and the gold is in the banks." The above is taken down as nearly as stated. Every reliance can be safely placed in this report, as the manjis one of the most intelligent mates, in a practical light, that I had in Vieioria, and thoroughly conversant with this Province since the opening of the gold-fields. Since then further applications for prospecting claims have come in, and the party who have been endeavoring to trace Fox found out a creek which will yield them from a quarter to a pernyweight and half per dish. The creek flows into the Arrow, and the prospectors state that it is about one hundred feet wide. The gold is found on a sldtey bottom without any wash, and in this case another peculiarity offers itself, upon which your correspondent has not now the time to dilate. As gold has been found in various spots between the Dunstan and the Waikatip Lake District, the country drained by the (Jlutha and its numerous tributaries may now safely be assorted to be gold- ! bearing all over. This will open an extent of auriferous ground so centrally situated that no other land seems so favored as this. It will be a matter of some interest to observe , the manner in which this new goldfield will be treated by the Government, lhe course of action that they may take will prove of considerable importance to Dunedin interests. If connected with this field as an outlying district,, under the control of a Sub-Commissioner, it will become an Ota^jo goldfield to a greater extent than is probable it ever will be if formed into an independent district. A reference to the map will show that, striking a straight line from Dunedin, the distance ia about one hundred miles, while a similar line from Invercargill adds ten miles to the distance. There is another matter, however, to be looked at : the straight line from luvercargill crosses Lake Wakatip. Ihe new discoveries lie on the opposite side of this lake, from Invercargill. Either a wiae detour must be made by going round it, or it must be crossed by boats. From Invercargill to the Wakatip a good road is stated to exist ; and Mr. Recs has drawn most of his supplies horn thence. He is a strong advocate of Southland interests, and foreseeing the probabilities of a goldfield baing opened in this direction has been, tor some time past, busily engaged' in building boats, to meet any sudden emergency. It may be as well to state that, previous prospecting parties have been out in this direction for some time past, and that all complain of the difficulties Mr. Kees placed in their way. It is also well known that this gentleman's greatest dread was, that a rush should occur before he was prepared for it. Unless a wise policy is pursued in reference to this district, it is very probable that Invercargill may gain the substantial honors. Having so far failed in opening a good goldfield of their own, it is not likely they will let the remotest chance escape them, of claiming some share in this one. This is a portion of the country that Dr. Menziea laoored so hard at the late meeting of Parliament in Wellington to annex to Southland. These facts should have weig..t in Dunedin, if its people desire that the resources of Otago should not be at least frittered into more than one channel, and conflicting doubts at a distance engendered.