CARPENTARIA.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 277, 20 June 1868, Page 3

CARPENTARIA.

A correspondent of the ' Port Dcnison Times, says that " times at the Gulf are hard, and always will bo during the wet season, but nevertheless the country looks splendid, there having been sufficient rain to fill the water holes and produce plenty off feed. Every one is sanguine as to the future, as the district never presented such a favourable appearance. There are two copper mines and a gold-field in the vicinity ; one party in the former has commenced operations, and the appearance more than realises the ex pectations of the prospectors. Although the per centage of copper, 25 per cent with loz. silver to the ton, is not so great as in the mine on the Cloncurry, yet the distance from port will be less, and the road better, so that it will pay equally well, if not better' than a richer inland mine. With regard to the gold-field nothing very favourable has occurred; there are about 25 men on the ground, but they are confident of success, and the townspeople send them out rations and clothes to assist them. Mr Clark of Sydney, speaks positively of extensive gold-fields being in existence, and recommends prospectors not to be disheartened by present failures. The steamer still plies between the gulf and the island, and contrary to the expectations of many, is proving a great success. There 'is a report that the " Old Governor " is to be sent as a hulk to be moored off Sweer's Island. A sum of £3500 was taken by the Collector of Customs last year, and that amount does not more than represent a third of the amount of duty paid at other ports on goods landed. Although the Gulfites have paid over £3OOO for land and £3500 for duties, "they have no lock-up, no court-house, the Government kindly appropriating the money for carrying out out works near to Brisbane. There is a report that W. D. Yar is coming back as sub-inspector, accompanied by five, policemen. Subscription lists are the order of the day there have been the races, the diggers ration fund, and now a third to obtain sufficient funds to induce Dr Fotheringham to reside there at least one year. Of the two doctors who rushed after the exaggerated accounts of the sickness, the one now keeps a public-house on the Norman, the other is managing a mob of Kanakas on the Leichhardt. Although the present is called the sickly season, there is not an unhealthy person in the vicinity. With regard to the Norman river the correspondent says, 'lf you want my opinion of the place I should refer you to Dickens' description of Eden, in Martin Chuzzlewit, as it appeared in reality.' "