A LETTER FROM KIMBERLEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1548, 3 February 1887, Page 3

A LETTER FROM KIMBERLEY.

The fallowing letter, received last week by Mr J. Brett, of G-eraldine', ii from a m»n named W. Wilson who left the Geraldine diitriot for the Kimberley goldfield when the rush wu at iti height. It will ho doubt be read with interest by the friends of the writer, of whom there are a good number residing in and around Geraldine. It has been written 1 at various times, the first date it bean being Oct, 31st and the last Not, 81st. It eommsnoes—l write this to let you know that I am well, hoping when it comes to hand it may find yon all likewise, Times are very bad here, the field is a "duffer," men can't make tuoker, and the climate is exceedingly hot, which latter is very hard on us New Zealand men, I don't tkink there are 20 New Zealand men on Kimberley out of the 250 men that came .in the boat. My mates only stopped six days on the field, and I believe if I had had a £5-note I would have cleared back with them. Ali I could raise was 2s 6d, and my share of the tuoker, When we got here the latter was cheap enough as so many were selling out, but when you want it npW you have to pay for it The price of flour is Is to Is 3d per lb, sugar,' 2s< per lbj meat, Is per lb; jam, 2s 6d per lb j dried apples, 2s 6d per lb; dried potatoes, 2s 6d per lb i bacon, 2s 6d per lb. My mates told me I was mad to stop as I would not make tuoker, but I have sold two ounces of gold and have over an ounce yet. I bought some tuoker to-day and got iron shoes on my boots. We have to get shod like, horses, boots won't last long without the iron. It cost me £3 for the tucker and the shoeing, but I was luoky last week and made £4 st. That is good. There are a few making £7 t £8 a week. I live in hopes of doing better when the wet comes. We have had to oarry our washdirt from one to seven miles to water, but if you know of any that are thinking of ooming here stop them ; there is no; thing but poverty here now, and everyone who has made a bit is olearing out, Not. I—l had very bad luck to day, and only, got 6s worth of gold, and it was the hottest day I have ever felt, Twenty-two men cleared out for the Gulf tbli morning. It is 220 miles that way, and 400 miles the other way. One poor man started, but he only got three miles when he had to give in to the fever. It is a very bad thing when it. gets hold' of a man. Another man died—> that makes five—and one the blacks speared. I am working in the same gully now. It is known as "Spear Gully." The man that was killed had been working three days. That day his two mates were with him, and they were all busy " panning off." The first spear went through the man's heart j two other spears Bfcruok another man on the head but did not kill him. A. spear also went through another man's hat, but did not hurt him, A party of men, with two blaok traokers, followed the natives for 23 miles to the Murray Biver, where they eame upon their oamp, Ai daylight the men fired upon them, but I don't know how many w<.re killed. They don't coma near this camp now, but we are on the look out for them. As we must have the wet weather soon now they will make up this way. I am very near blind j my eyes are very bad, and I am, not able to get a lotion for them. Nor. 2—l hougbt & horee. and packs addle to-day for £B, verv oheap, and a cradle for £l. I think l shaft be able to uie tie cradle 8,004, as I believe the rain is coming now. I had to sell soms nioe little nuggets to pay for the horse, Nov. 3—We had a great storm here whjla it lasted, but very little rain,. I got about 6s worth of gold to-day, and % found a yery nice olstone, and gold- J would not {lake $2 for it. News has just oarne Jo. that a man'has been kjlled, Elia mates are gone, and yery litse ig inown about it- yet. We W\ll swn know if he was robbed of his gold, The place is 18 miles from here. Nov. 10—1 have had a rough time of it, The man 1 got my bono from turns out to. be the man thai killsd his m,at«u Thf y -row

•■ oamped about 14 miles - from' here- on the Black Elvira.. About SO men were o»m ed near the poor fellow. He wee leeo alive or; Sunday, must jsiara shottthafc night, at his* mate" war over here "on Monday* night, told the horse, and left next mornicg .for Derby. The our when lust seen was about 70 miles ahead of the Sergeant and. tracker*. If he fiadi out they are after him he could go 60 or 70 milei a day.; He. he» ; fire horiee. He mnit have thought the body would never be found, ai he buried it and burned all about the osmpq Aj itjha,p--pened, a manoam'edown the' gully, noticed the fresh earth,, thought it was a -.plant of luoker, searohed, and found the bodyi; ' . A mate and I were out there horse hunting the other day and got bn»hed. We walkech about 40 miles and got into: camp;.the next morning at 2 o'clock thoroughly done up.

I Nor. 21at—I send you three little bite of Kimberley gold. I got' them in' Spear Gully . where the blacks killed the man. I hope to be able to bring you better ones when I come back, if ever I do. I have had the fever ail this week, but am better now. I hope to get a letter from you. If I don't get it in about two week*' time; £ can't? get ,6'ne for four five months, as until after the'rain <t is hot" safe to go on the traok. jTell Mr Blakiston this would not be a good country - for-sheep. It is, a good beuntry at the Pitzrpy •: Siver. Please tell your brother and J. MoUtee how I am getting on, and be sure and remember me to all the station' hands. Good-bye till we meet again, if ever I live to get out of I his wretoded place.

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