ARRIVAL OP THE "Storm Bird," FROM OTAGO. ARRIVAL OF THE ESCORT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1621, 27 September 1861, Page 5

ARRIVAL OP THE "Storm Bird," FROM OTAGO. ARRIVAL OF THE ESCORT.

The s.s. Storm Bird, arrived in port on Wednesday, at 2 p.m., from Otago. She left Port Chalmers on Sunday, at 9*45 a.m., arrived at Waikouaiti at noon, lay there until 6 a.m. on Monday, when she sailed forMouraka and Oamaru. Left Oamaru at 2 p.m. on the 23rd, arrived at Lyttelton on thejMth at 10 a.m., left at 2 p.m., the same day, and arrived as above.

She has brought back a few return diggers; but the intelligence from the Tuapeka Gold Fields, is, generally speaking^ of a satisfactory character. The gold brought down by the Sscort increases in quantity each time that it is brought in. The last Escort brought down 11,2§1 ounces. A number of Australian diggers had returned to Melbourne in the steomers Jildinga and Oscar, (i. is stated* about 300) some of #horn, however, never went to the diggings at all. Many had arrived without sufficient means to keop them, after having paid their passage money, and were offering to work at reduced wages. Capt. Malcolm informs us, that whilst his. vessel was lying at Mouraki, a gentleman named Leggit had shewn him a sample of gold which he had procured in that district. The gold was a fine, sample, being coarse and nuggety. It was Mr. Leggit' a opinion that he had discovered an eatensive. gold field, and that the precious metal could be obtained in paying quantities. The 'pla>ce where this discovery has been made is about 30 miles north of Dunedin. The news had not reached Dunedin when the Storm Bird left ; but Mr. Leggit was on his way thither when he informed Captain Malcolm of the circumstance.

The Oscar from Melbourne, arrived at Otago on the 20th, iust., with 386 passengers, and sailed again for Melbourne on the following day. She' e took 3,000 ozs. of gold. The Aldinga took 2,400 oas. A larger quantity would have been shipped by these vessels, but shippers were afraid that they would have to pay 2s. 6d. an J ounce to the Victorian Government on the gold being, re-exported from that Colony. A case had been submitted to

the law officers ; but their decision had not yet been received. The Black Ball Liner Lightning, with seven hundred passengers, sailed from Melbourne on the 13th inst., for Otago. The Adventurer and Empress of the Seas would also take full berths.

Capt. Malcolm, with his usual courtesy, has furnished us with files of the latest Otago papers, from which we have taken the following extracts :