THE KIMBERLEY GOLDFIELD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7111, 8 July 1886, Page 2

THE KIMBERLEY GOLDFIELD.

LETTERS FROM NEW ZEALAND MEN. Mr. T. J. Allsn, shipping agent, who despatched tho first vessel from Aucklaud to Kimberley goldfields direct, has received the following cablegram from one of tho owners of the vessel: — " Wakapuafta, July 3. — The schooner Orpheus arrived from Auckland. All well. Twenty days.' l As tho distance from this port to Cam* bridge GulC is some 3.G00 miles, this may be considered a remarkably fast passage. Tho Orpheus left Auckland on Sunday, Juno 6th, with a line southerly wind, which no doubt carried her into tho S.E, trades Tho Orpheus took a full assorted cargo shipped by Mr. Heather and otherp, and had several Aucklanders on board for the new diggings. Mr. Allen has since despatched the barque Notero for the same destination, and sho is to be followed by the schooner Caralie. In order to satisfy himself nnd intending passengers to Kiiuberloy that the prospects wero not exageraled. and that there were no obstacles to miners going to the dig,' gings, Mr. Allen sent an inquiry by cable to tho Acting Colonial Secretary of Weßtoiq

Australia, and has in reply received tbe following message • t "Perth, 29th June. — It is said that Buffici«nt water for gold washing is not available on the Kiraberley diggings until about October, or even later. Thero seems no other consideration which need delay miners with means who bring their stores nnd equipments, including horses. — ActinCJ Colonial Secretary." A gentleman, a native of Wellington, who recently left for Western Australia, writing from Freemantle, cay : — I warn intending diggerß not to go to Kiinberley unless they have something like £100 to £200 on landing. There is no doubt about j the goldfields being payable, and of great extent, but the difficulty and expense of reaching them is a Berious drawback. They are about 350 miles inland, nnd a great part of the distance is mangrove swamp. In Freeniantle and Perth the men mostly in demand are cnrponteis nnd there is no demand for clerks. The weather is very fine, equal to Bummer in Wellington. The land is pretty good, but very little is cultivated, I suppose because people find other easier ways of getting a living. Potatoes are worth 19 per ton Cheese, bacon, hams, and other produce dear. The colony is literally governed by England, but the people are wanting responsible government. The best information is to be got from Government notebook. Albany is a quiet little place with a fine harbour, and will, I think, go ahead when railway works start between it and Perth." Another Wellington man, formerly in the Constabulary, who left there two months since for Western Australia goldfields, writes that the climate there is about .the same as Wellington midsummer. Vegetation is rich and plentiful." Regarding Kimberley gold fields, he says that no one should attempt the job unless he has from £150 to £200 available on his landing at Perth. The principal class of people in request are carpenters, who are earning good wages. The distance to the goldfields from Derby is about 350 miles, and the charges for horses and other conveyances are almost prohibitive. Some members of the Wellington Armed Constabulary force in Wellington, who came here recently, got billets at £150 a year and foana. They are mounted men. They j are quite satisfied with tho change. The Government is virtually worked from England — ib, in fact, a Crown Government. Everything is pretty dear h«re, but wages are good. Of course, when the country is opened up, things will cheapen with competition. An endeavour is being made to frighten intending miners from visiting the district. Prom what I can see, there iB every probability of Kimberley goldfields turning out tramps, and you may depend that I shall have a shot at them before I next write you."