OTAGO.

Wellington Independent, Volume 1671, Issue 1671, 1 October 1861, Page 5

OTAGO.

Gold Export. — The Omeo, which left for Melbourne on Wednesday last, took 6900 ounces.— Witness, Sept. 1,4.

Gold still continues to arrive by private hands. One of the Banks, we understand, purchased from various parties 2000 ounces, which had not come in by the Escort. Two men came into town during the week bringing 401bs. weight each. The Escort left town for the Diggings ou Thursday morning. — Ibid. Desertion of Chews. — The crew of the Pladda made a most determined effort to escape from the ship on Monday night. Eighteen of the crew had been apparently watching an opportunity, and upon the officer of the watch turning his back, made for one of the boats. The first officer, who was on the poop, fired a pistol to arouse ihe captain and assistance. The men, alarmed, cut the tackle ofthe boat, but in so doing let the stern down bofore the boat was free at the bow, when she capsized, and the whole of the men were precipitated into the water. Fifteen weie rescued and taken on board ; three were, however, missing, but whether they wero drowned or not cannot be ascertained. That some one or all escaped is assumed from the boat of a vessel lying astern of the Pladda haviug been cut adrift and left on the beach. The whole of the men taken have been convicted of desertion, and sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, — The most serious complaints have been made ofthe desertion of crews from their ships. We are informed that the Arabia aud the Ocean Chief are both lying at the lower port deserted, the crows having gol off. In one caso, we are informed, they constructed a raft, on which they managed to reach the shore. — Ibid.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Dunedin, 21st September, 1861

You have S3 many communications and extracts from Otago newspapers respecting the Gold Fields, that it leaves but little fresh news for your readers. I can only say since my last communication many hundreds have gone up, and few still continue to return, but not all of that few are uufortunates. It is not an uncommon sight to see a digger returning with but a light appearing swag and almost shoeless, but when aiming in Town the heavy part of their swag is fouud to be in a small leather bag weighing from 3 to 20 lb of Gold, and I am informed by good authority, also from personal observation, that there is more gold brought into Town by private hands than is sent by escort. I have seen to-day a lucky digger and will describe to you his progress. He arrived here by the Melbourne, and after working in Dunedin 13 weeks, started for the diggings on the Ist of July. He had on his airival at Tuapeka £28 in cash, 3 mates accompanied him, the whole of their funds wheu on the ground was about £50 with Pump, Sluices, Long Tom, &c, in fact all appliances for working with advantage. They sunk no less than 9 holes without getting anything like a paying from either, aud by this time their funds had become exhausted, and one of lhe party loosing heart withdrew and returned to Town. The other 3 remaiued and obtaining credit from one of the stores, enabled them to continue tbeir work, which for the last month has been to their satisfaction. I cannot tell how much they have made, but my informant on putting on his waistcoat remarked, "wel, old fellow, six weeks ago I should have sold, you for ss.,andall you had belonging toyou." When I asked what lie would take for it now; well, he, replied, £500 would not buy it with what it contains. I should observe I knew he had just come from the Bank. That many are uusuccessful in consequence of their funds not holding out, I am quite convinced, and that there are hundreds vow on the diggings that will be sure to return as such, from the very fact of their not being provided with proper or lasting means. All advice or counsel to those going up is useless ; tbey will continue to think £2 or £3 ip pocket, a Tin Dish, a Pick and Shovel is all tb_t is required, and will believe nothing else.uutil

they are convinced ofthe contrary to their cost. I would caution people to be aware. of. calculating upon getting employment on the diggings. I heat the number seeking work is very greats aud from the above you will see the, cause, hot that this proves any detriment to the. Tuapeka Fields; for 'there- is' doubtless plenty "df-.Qold there and for miles around,, and by (he., middle of November -yOu will not ; only have -to record the working on spurs and all the small gullies running into Gabriel's, but 'the opening, of very many fresh diggings, and I really believe the prospects will befhelter by far then than now. > There is one subject which may be of, some consequence to part of your readers, which is respecting the roads up. There aretwo,'orie the East, the other the West, more commonly called the Old and the New. The new is a day's tramp shorter, which holds out a great temptation toa man when he has lo carry a swag, but this is the only temptation.' The road is dull, dreary and in bad weather dangerous, with hut one accommodation house and with rivers to cross not mifrequently up to a man's shoulder, whilst the Old lload is well supplied with good accommodation houses, one small river to cross, seldom above the knee, and some portion ofthe, road even in the worst of weather g00d. % The party I alluded to. above, ye turned hy the hew road, hut says he will uevev try it again in Summer or Winter. He hud to cross one of the rivers in a Dray, the water being too deep for him.to wade. On the new road it is only such aroad as Drays kc, have made, no part of it having been made by the Government,' neither is it likely (for-va-rious reasons) the Government will make it one, as it would ( require a greater length of road making than would complete the old one up to tli6 diggings. Dunedin is very fnlJj and at times there is not half house room for the arrivals. Ships from Melbourne are arriving daily with. passengers aud cargo. The third escort which has arrived this week bearing Eleven Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty One (1 1281) ouitccs must he a convincing proof of the importance of the Gold Fields, and bas verified the statement in my last, that it would he the heaviest escort sent down ; all who feel disposed to speculate*" ou Uie diggiugs will do well to give the following their attention before starting. If small capitalists, say' £10 in cash arid tools when on the diggings, their success will be a matter of chance or luck, hut with those who have capital to hold out, their success is only a matter of time, although many claims may be sunk without success, eventually one is sure tobe fouud to make up loss of time and labour. The escort is composed of 10 Troopers and 17 horaes, that is to say, 7 spare horses. There are various reports cf fresh diggings, rushes, &c, but I can get no authentic informa. tion on the subject, Upwards -of 300 passengers have returned to Melbourne, but it is reported the rush from there in the course of a week will be the most numerous that has taken place.