7 March 1856

THE COLONIAL GOLD COMPANY.

Sir, I am desired to inform you, that the Directors of the Colonial Gold Company received, on the 29th ultimo, by the ‘Oliver Lang,” despatches from Mr. Edward J. Spence, their Superintendent in the colony of New South Wales, dated to the 16th August last; and as these advices are too lengthy to be published in the usual way, the directors have thought it proper to have them printed and forwarded to the proprietors, in order that they may be informed as to the state in which Mr. Spence found the works of the Company in New South Wales on his return to that colony.

The advices received are as follows: “Dated Louisa Creek, 13th July, 1855. “I wrote to you from Sandhurst on the 4th June, and to Mr. Hart, from Sydney, under date of the 2nd and 7th July—dupli- cates of the last two letters I enclose herewith.

“After the communications made to you by my brother and Captain Paull, you will be quite prepared to hear that I was astounded and grievously disappointed when I learnt that the work had been suspended at Tambaroora and Burrandong, and that no improvement appeared in our prospects here.

“I have not yet had time to examine into matters so as to send you a fair report as to the proceedings of Captain Paull, or tbe course it may be necessary for me to adopt. He has not, by any means, proved himself as energetic as he gave me reason to anti- cipate before I left; and as regards the management of men, or funds, and the direction of operations, he has given ample evi- dence that he was inequal to the position he filled.

“I find that, although, wages have fallen considerably in the colony, there has been no attempt at reduction with us; on the contrary, contracts have been given out on such extravagant terms, that the miners have generally been making more than double what they ought to have received.

There has been no improvement in our system of working, though now it is acknow- ledged to be indifferent, and difficulties which do not appear by any means extraordinary, have been regarded as insurmountable.

“1 understand that Burrandong is considered by Captain Paull as more promising now than it was at first. He was driven out by the floods, but did not think it necessary to convey the engine there, as the river might subside as rapidly as it rose; such has not been the case.

The season has continued singularly unfavourable for such an operation, nor have the simple means adopted on other streams under similar oircumstances been applied. I shall go down in a few days and decide whether we resume our labours at once, or wait until the sprlng.

Tambaroora is stopped for the present, because of the price demanded for conveyance of quartz from the vein to the works. Provision ought to, and might, have been made for this by our selves. As to the yield of the first stuff reduced, I do not conslder it a fair test of value.

I believe that the gold has been lost, and that we shall yet find our estimates of the return to be far from incorrect. The machinery, I am told, is complete and in admirable order.

The defect is in the amalgamating process. There is a contract pending with the owner of *Wither’s Vein” (the one applied for by us, but not granted), for the delivery of a hundred tons of stuff, which we are to reduce at a charge of £3 IOs., or one ounce of gold, and it is being sent in, but very slowly. In the meantime we are proceeding with the quarrying of the quartz upon the Royal Vein, and I shall soon take measures to ascertaln what can really be got out of it.

Captain Paull, previous to my arrival,had given notice of dis- oharge to all the miner and mechanics here, which I do not at all regret.

These men have been making too much money, and we can do no good with them; besides, in order to effect those altera- tions and retrenchments, without which we cannot hope for any profitable results, it is necessary to have a clear field.

Mr. Bawden has commenced his experiments and asays with the quartz and tailings, I will read you his reports as he pro- gresses. “It is not without concern that I transmit to you a communica- tion so little encouraging, but I am still of opinion that if we are able to persevere, we may yet regain the capital we have expended. “I see no reason to anticipate any difficulty in some fresh arrangement with the Nugget Company, but have not yet deter- mined what proposition to make” Under date 6th August, 1855, Mr. Spence advises that Captain Paull’s engagement is cancelled. Dated “Sydney, 16th August, 1855. “I arrived here on Saturday last.

In order to be in time for the general meeting of the Great Nugget Vein Company that had been adjourned until Monday, so as to enable me to make some communications after my visit to Louisa Creek. I need not trouble you with the preliminary correspondence or tedious nego- iations thereopon. The conclusion arrived at is now alone important, and therefore, I only enclose copies of the final letter of the secretary and my reply.

“The Royalty is reduced to an uniform rate of 10 per cent, on the produce, which is one-half of the dues now paid on the lowest average returns, and the stipulation respecting quantities of stuff to be worked is no longer a monthly requirement, respecting both quartz and alluvium, but extends over an entire year, and permits us to work that which may be most convenient. At the expiration of the twelve months, should we have failed to fulfil our engage- ments, we remain in no worse a position than that we occupy at the present time.

“There was a party in favour of the purchase of the plant, which I should have preferred, but it could not be carried, and there was nothing left for me but to effect such an arrangement as would enable us to continue operations in the easiest and most economical manner.

“We shall now carefully select the quartz, and work just the description and quantities, and at such periods, as in our judgment may be best. I have already sent up the sieves lately received from England, which are the first of a right kind that we shall have been able to employ, and I expect that the finer crushing and more careful amalgamation may yet yield us more satisfac- tory results.

‘’For the alluvium, we have a puddling machine nearly com- pleted, which can be worked at one-half the expense of the toms, and pass double the amount of stuff, quite as effectually with less risk oí pilferage.

“These improvements, with the reductions in the rates of labour and carriaige, and many retrenchmentss in Officer’s salary and general expenditure, will I fully expect, secure us against any further loss upon thls place, even if we do not meet with any of those rich deposits or nuggets on which we may not unreason- ably speculate.

“The prospections which have been energetically pursued since my return promise little more than thls; but I should have been reluctant to surrender the land (unless on good terms) until I had satisfied myself far more conclusively that there remained no leads of gold, either in the quarts or alluvium, as yet untouched by us. “partles on the borders of the claims have recently been singu- larly successful, but I do not desire that the same should be said of those who may attempt the ground where we have once been.

“I must beg of you to come to no decision from the late state- ment of Louise Creek expenses and returns. A great change will be apparent during the current month, although I could not remedy at once the mismanagement of many previous ones. “Until the bulk of the miners leave in September, there can be no important reduction in the weekly rate of water, although labour is certainly much more abundant in Sydney and cheaper, but there no longer continues a system of contract which really appears to have been intended specially for the beneflt of the men.

“I certainly believe that we have worked out the best part of the ridge, and what remains of desirable stuff is now most diffi- cult to obtain without the removal of a great extent of timber resting upon the lode in the four-fathom level, This I cannot attempt because of the expense, but if present trials are promising we shall drive below. The portion of the vein so smothered is decidedly more valuable than that worked by Mr. Trenear the last month or two, as our returns will show, from stuff taken out of the small part left open under the incline.

Unless we had determined never to work below the four fathom level, the course adapted was singularly injudicious, and even then a very great proportion of the large sum spent might have been spared.

At Tambaroora found the works virtually stopped. The rea- son assigned by Captain Paull are very shallow. I believe that he utterly astounded by the miserable results of his experience and afraid to show that either he was ignorant of the proper mode of treatment, or had been widely astray in his first estimates. All excuses about want of capital and expense of conveyance from the Mine to the Mill are simply absurd.

He has never been restricted as to labour, which was all he had to think about, and the payment of that labour, however extravagant the rate, has been regularly made. The current expenses at the time of my arrival were sufficient to carry on both establishments, as I shall prove by doing so, even after considerable reductions have been made. I distinctly state, that I do not believe Captain Paull’s returns from the Royal Vein represent any thing like the value of the quartz, I refer you to his own latest reports to show how greatly his opinion is at vari- ance with the result of his operations.

I found the works in good order, and requiring a few alterations only in the method of wash- ing and amalgamating to be at once effective. Mr. Bawden is about these at the present time, wood and water are both ready at hand and we have more than 500 tons ef ore already raised from the vein. I instantly started our own team that was idle there to con- vey this stuff to the kilns, and gave instructions that every cart or dray should be employed, even at the extreme rate of 7s. 6d. per ton.

When we have a sufficient quantity, say 100 tons, we shall apply ourselves thereto until the whole is reduced, and I shall be surprised and disappointed indeed, if we do not obtain a paying yield. “Tho owner of Withers Vein, with whom we have a contract for 100 tons, has spent a considerable sum of money, and now relies upon us for some returns.

He has requested me to advise with his manager, and instructed him to attend implicity to my suggestions. I shall take the speediest and best means for establishing a regular conveyance for his quartz, the whole of which must be brought to our mill, at least we shall carry it as long as the owner is inclined to guarantee to us the agreed price for reduction.

“Captaln Paull’s reports respecting Burrandong will have given you some idea of the trifling there has been there. The neglect and apathy with regard to this underrtaklng, respecting which it is still admitted that suoh sanguine expectations are entertalned, seem to me unaccountable. For nearly seven months the shafts commenced in the original bed of the river, now called the Bar, have remained untouched. The deepest went down 17 feet, and is supposed by Bray to be yet about 5 feet from the bed rock.

In this opinion I agree wlth him, from the appear- ance of the out-crop in various directions and the lncline of the banks. The floods have not even disturbed the shale that was thrown up, nor have the sides of the sinking ylelded in the least during the whole time. To my enquiry why nothing had been definately ascertalned, Bray repled that he was left by himself and could not work without assistance, besides he had orders to remaln there as a watchman solely.

1 washed some dishes of the stuff last thrown out, and obtained a fair prospect of gold, besides a large quantity of an exceedlngly heavy black mineral which I have tried In various ways, but not yet proved; some of it is now submitted for analysis, and I shall soon know the result. In consequence of its density the gold can only be taken out by amalgamation, and the supply must be considerable, for the pans we tried were of stuff supposed to be in a deposit of five feet in depth. I imme- diately ordered Bray to Louisa Creek, and the morning

I left for Sydney started him back with three picked men and all the imple- ments he required to accomplish what he confidently undertakes to perform, viz., to get to the bottom of every one ot the pits, and give the results of his washings, each foot as he goes down, all within a fortnlght, I know of no more reason now to abandon that enterprise than when I spoke favourably of it in London, although I do not pretend to agree with Captain Paull that what he has ascertained so far renders it still more attractive. The doubt is quite unsolved, and I have taken cheap but expeditious means to have it settled.

I leave here on Saturday, and in a few days only shall decide whether this under- taking, so tempting from its extent and promise, will realise our expectations, or end in disappointment.

“My finances are in an awkward state, for I have not yet been able to dispose of any of the surplus machinery, and the balanced cash has been consumed in the settlements of accounts that had been running up against my arrival. Instead of finding a deposit in the Banks free from any claims, with which I could complete all that was contemplated, there was hardly sufficient to meet imme- diate demands; our credit, fortunately, has not suffered in the least, and every claimant has been satisfied on the instant.

To provide for contingencies during the time I am up the country collecting, as I trust, some gold, I have given a promissory note at three months to Captain Towns, and lodged the proceeds (£1000) in the bank. This I preferred to drawing upon the directors, which I earnestly hope it will not be necessary for me to do.

“I do so consider that I should be justified in closing any one of ths establishments at the present time, unless, to carry on, some further considerable amount were required. I left everything so far advanced that long ere this there should have been no doubt as to the value of each place; but I find that we have made very little progress towards a decision. Captain Paull’s reports would prove this, were I not assured of it from actual observation. My object will be to settle the question speedily, and take those steps that may then be most advisable. (Signed) “Edward Spence” I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your obedient servant, W. A. HART, Secretary.

15 February 1856

GOLD DISCOVERY. On Saturday last a gentleman arrived in town from the Ophir diggings, where he had been at work for about three week«, bringing with him, as the result of his labours, 40G oxs. 12 dwts. of the precious metal.

It consists principally of large nuggets, several of which are beautiful specimens. Tho heaviest nuggot weighing 21¿ ozs« This specimen, with eevcral others, weighing respectively 13 ozs., 11 ozs., and 10_ oz3., &o;,, were brought to our office for inspection.

The largest nugget is of an oblong shape, about five inches long and two wide. One side is flit and rough, interspersed with quartz, and having the appearance of being forced from ita bed in the rock ; the other side is concavi’, and quite smooth and polished, evidently by the action of water.

The spot where the gold was found by Mr. White, the gentleman referred to, is a place known on tho Ophir diggings as Yorkey’s Corner, an elevated spur of the mountain range, near whtoh is situate the original Ophir diggings.

There are two creeks running along this spur, one long since dried up, the other still a water course. Tho bed of tho upper or dried course was the place selected by Mr. White as his first prospecting essay, and here him- self and two companions set to work. After sinking for about three days, first through o red olluvial soil, then through a thick layer of gravelly earth, they came to slate and rock, and here they first observed1 traces of gold.

After tapping this, they came upon qusrta rock, veins of which dipped in an out- ward and slanting direction towards the lower creek, and in the crevices formed by these veinB they found the hidden wealth. Oh the fourth day after tapping, they carne across the large nugget weighing 21 a ounces, which has been described, and whioh they extractod from the rock ; and on the same day they discovered various smaller nuggets, weighing in all 01 ounces.

The yield thenceforward decreased as they approached the lower bed, from which it may be inferred that the larger lumps of gold aro only to be found in the beds and detritus of the upper mountain strexni. The area of ground from which this large quantity of gold was taken was 25 square feet.

Tho news of this success roached tho diggers on the Orange’Bivcr and other scattered lo- calities, and, consequently, a rush was made to the spot ; b’ut so few and far’ between are the diggers, that when our informant left, not more than tAventy miners had congregated at Yorkey’».

This particular spot is about thirty miles from Tambaroora ; thirty miles from Mncklewa, and about ten from Lewis Ponds-the latter a favourité’place in tho early days of the diggings. The yield per day ranged as follows : -The first day after tapping, yielded 6 ounces ; second d»), 6. ounces ; t_ird day, 78 ounce» ; the Oth day, 91 ounces. _¥om that time thcyield fell suddenly until the hole’ waff abandoned.

Mr. White returned at once to Sydney, in order to make preparations for a long campaign. He went in th. first instance on n prospecting tew”, butt his good fortune led him to im- mediate wealth, and’ _* intends, if possible, to follow up hi« good fortune.

The richness«sf this great gold field of Now South Wale« has not yet been developed, and a wide field1 io .pen’to all of an enterprising mind to discover ita hidden tr-seure. Mr. White feelfc assui-d that it is not in the creeko and gullies alone that the largest quantities of the gold of Ophir are to be found, but on-the high lauds and mountain ridgee whiah abound in’ the country. He will be at this- office this morning, from 10 till 12, to exhibit the specimens to« persons whs are anxious to see them.

18 February 1856

A STIMULUS TO OUR GOLDFIELDS.

To the Editor, SYdney Morning Herald Sydney Morning Herald, But for the accidental instrumentality of private individuals – such, for instance, as Mr. Hargraves at first, and occasionally the enterprise of the like of Mr. White’s small party, whose success at Ophir is referred to in your paper of yesterday and to-day, our most influential resource for our rapid prosperity would never have been set ia motion, and would again lapse into a useless and vapid existence only.

The Government has something to do to encourage’ a greatly extended working of our I gold-fields, and obstructions of every kind ought im- mediately to be lessened.

If the right means be used with judgment and alacrity; and eolat be now given, the present event might lead to grand results.

The Ophir gold-field has always been declared by Mr. Hargraves, and by nearly every other competent authority, to be the richest gold-field in Australia skilful working only is required.

Miners from the Victoria gold-fields would s.on prove this to be true ; and they would have their skill, labour, and outlay much more richly recompensed here than at any one of the Victoria gold-fields.

These three men, whose success you have reported, ‘had gained experience at Ballaarat ; and in less than three weeks working a.trO/thir they obtained with ease £1600 worth of’gold in “nuggets,” and are going back for more immediately after making their arrangements ‘here.

I am, Sir, yours obediently, ‘ G. Sydney, 19th Fehruarv, 1856. |.

4 April 1856

REGULATIONS FOR THE CHINESE ON THE VICTORIA GOLD FIELDS.

His Excellency the Officer administering the Govern ment, with the advice of the Executive Council, has made the following regulations for the management and good government of the Chinese on tho gold Fields, in pursuance of the Act of Council, l8 Yictoria, No 39, sec. 6, viz. : –

1. CHINESE CAMPS.-All Chinese immigrants resid- ing on or near the gold fields shall erect their tents or dwelling places on such camping ground or site and in such a manner as shall be directed by the protector of the district in which such immigrants shall be residing.

2. OCCASIONAL REMOVAL OF CAMPS -When the pro- tector of the district deems it necessary that any Chinese camp or camps should be removed or divided, for sanitary or other purposes, such Chinese immi- grants shall remove their tents, on (7) seven days’ notice to that effect being given to them by the protector.

3. APPOINTMENT or HEADMEN -The protectors in their respective districts may appoint such a number of headmen, and at such a rate of pay, as his Ex- cellency the Governor in Council may direct, to super- intend the different Chinesi encampmentB, and such headmen shall carry out and see duly enforced among the Chinese such orders and instructions as they may, from time to time, receive in writing from the protector of the district.

4. CHINESE NOT TO USE WATER RESERVED.-No Chinese immigrants residing on any gold field shall use for the purpose of washing auriferous earth any water which may have been specially reserved, or its use forbidden by the protector of the district.

5. RELIEF OF CHINESE.-The Chinese protectors in their respective districts may recommend for the consideration of his Excellency the Governor in Coun- cil the case or cases of any Chinese immigrants who may become destitute from sickness or other causes, with a view to their relief.

6. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES.-All mining disputes which may arise on the gold fields between any Chinese immigrants shall be decided by the protectors of the district, being justices of the peace, according to the mining laws and regulations which shall or may be in future in force in their respective districts.

7. When any dispute shall arise between any Chi- nese immigrants and miners of other nations, the former may apply to the protector for advice or assis- tance, and it shall be the duty of the protector to afford such advice and assistance.

1 May 1856

SOFALA.

The weather here changed from a long drought to rain on last Friday, and since then the frost and sharp winds have made the mornings and evenings so cold, that I believe many of the gold seekers will shortly have to go to ‘ winter quarters.

The number licensed at present is pretty much the same as thia time last year, and such of the diggers as have been saving have done well this season. No doubt they have not met with the rich finds that used to be come upon at the commencement.

The gold fields are much wider now than they were at first, and extend over twenty miles in this locality, and would admit of being worked profitab’y by four times the number of men that now follow gold diggins here.

A digget’s life is an independent one : he has no master, bia time is his own, he works hard ; but the labour hours are short. He seldom goes to work till after breakfast, ora little before S o’clock, and then there is breathing or smoking time ; at 12 o’clock dinner, and a second smoking time about three, and the digger quits work shortly after 5 o’clock.

The luron River is very low at present. A party of diggers have got a steam engine to drive a pump in the bed of the river, so as to enable them to sink to the rock, which is some twenty feet deep of sand, in order te work a rich claim.

They had much expense in making a clearance, and as yet no exact calculation can be made of the profits. However, those con- cerned expect much from this first attempt to use ma- chinery in this quarter. : , The whole population on this field is perhaps little more than two thousand. I don’t know if the cen- aos will show more.

There are about thirty puvl’c houses between those in the town and scattered within pur district ; no doubt this number will appear a superfluity, whilst by s”me it will be taken bb a proof that we dip deeply into the intoxicating fluid. .

The Excise held their Court here on last Tuesday, and every one of the publicans, except one, sought and got a license for the coming year. If the support given to public-houses be any criterion of the riches of a locality we beat London by a long chalk.

There, I believe, they have about ten thousand publicans, or one public house to every twenty-five thousand in- habitants ; here we have thirty publicans to two thousand persons. That our public ins are good citizens is a fact, for only a single complaint waa made to the magistrates against the lot.

The tradespeople are loud in their complaints against the Gold Field laws. They detest Wentworths Act, and sty that it was owing to the stringent manner in which it was carried out at first that drove away hundreds from the fields, and that only for it there would now have been a fine town and an immense digging population here.

I dare say that our worthy representative, Mr. Lee, will have to bestir himself to get some of the clauses repealed, and the grievances redressed, or he will go into the shade. The Govern- ment never did anything for the district to improve it or develope our immense resources,-a part of our .’ calico city” le supposed to stand upon a rich foun- dation, and as there has not been much done in the way of building or other improvements, tVe authorities ought to step in and see that the town is properly shaped, and those shafts which are aunk in the town and suburbs should be closed.

Some of these pit falls are thirty feet deep, and dangerous to life and limb. Our streets are in a dreadful state after nins; to add to this, and much more, we have no vegetables grown within twenty miles of us.

We have room, and require a large town psrk en- closed for a garden. One large inclosure would do, auch as the large town park garden of Doncaster, in England.

We have an intelligent body of persons in the town that would form an excellent Corporation ¡ they understand what would advance the interests of the district, and could give advice how and where the river should be worked, where there should and should not be dams. Tnat the Government has been neg- lectful, and that some important steps should be teken is the opinion of many besides myself.

12 June 1855

THE TUENA GOLD FIELDS.

OUR population is rapidly on the increase, and as the yields ore no wise diminishing, we may expect considerable further augmentations.

Amongst the most recent arrivals I may mention several parties from Sofala, experienced diggers, who, attracted to this quarter by the richness of our deposits, have abandoned the more popular gold-field.

They have marked out claims at the New Flat, and commence to work upon them on Monday next. People are complaining here of a want of water to carry on their washing, ana many piles of, to all appearance, excellent stuff aie heaped up awaiting the rising of the creek.

Sluicing, which was considered so profitable, has almost been put a stop to, owing to the remarkable dryness of the season.

A shaft is being struck at a new spot, on a flat near thoso that have turned out so well, and “ a prospect,” consisting of a little more than eight dwts. was washed out o? a tin-dish. The owners of this claim arc Americans, who appear to consider no work too laborious to them.

The patience of the Califomi» diggers is most remarkable. Nothing appears to daunt them. Unlike those of our own country, they appear never to expect to get gold without considerable labour and self-denial.

Another thing may be said of them : they are, generally speaking, a very sober class, and stick close to their work, without missing a day, even under the powerful influences of disappointment and success.

Crampton’B party are still doing wonder«, and claims in their vicinity are yielding excel- lent returns. Alick Bloomfield, with his party, hat been eminently successful.

They have cleared sonw what about £70 to £80 a week a man, and they con- sider that their claim will not be worked out for the next fortnight. Young Munoz and Charley Payne’s boy are still doing well ; the hole from whence they got the prospect I mentioned in my last letter has turned out according to their expectations. The weather has been very cold for the last weeh

The climate here is always warmer than that of Goul- burn, and, possibly, for that Teason we feel the winter season severer than you do. But amidst the gullies of the Tuena there is none of that cold west wini which is so searching in your town. Trade is very prosperous ‘here ; both the stores arc doing first-rate. The unwrought gold is the general medium of exchange, and réalises within 9d. or Is. of the Goulburn price { a high figure, when the risk of transmission, is token into consideration. “ The number of licenses issued this month is up- wards of 400.

A great many persons have armed since tho day of issuing, who are permitted to try their luck and mark out claims until the 15th. Wits the exception of a few scrimmages amongst drunk«* people, the diggings are remarkably quiet. The rain has begun to set in, it is now pouring dow» with every chance of a continuance. Digging “P***” tions are of necessity suspended, but fortunately the majority of the diggers have made sufficient money to keep them comfortably during this compulsory nu pension.

THE TUENA GOLD FIELDS. A correspondent of the Goulburn Chronicle, writing from these diggings, says : The rain has plentifully supplied us with water for sluicing, but the rise in the creek had not been by any means disastrous. When the swell took place there was “ hurrying in hot haste” to remove tents and digging apparatus, but the alarm was false.

There are evidences of a change, but I can assure you that we have no more water than we know what to do with. Several sluices are being again fixed, which have for several months been lying idle on the banks of the creek. This looks like work, and probably in my next communication I shall have the pleasure of informing you that considerable yields are being procured.

Bloomfields party have been even more prosperous in their claim the last few days than they were last week. On some occasions latterly nearly 40 ounces per diem have been taken out. Cramp’s hole is still as rich as ever.

Enfield and a party of two have been prospect ing on the ranges, and have washed several small nuggets out of a very small portion of earth by means of a tin dish.

The Germans I mentioned in a late com munication have sunk two holes on the flat opposite Bright’s, and have found nothing. Although this may appear discouraging, it must be remembered that the place which is turning out so profitable was tried without success two years ago.

I learn that some par ties, after “ looking” at Tuena have gone back to Goulburn, expressing themselves as utterly disgusted with our diggings. 1 would strongly recommend such persons to abide awhile with ns, and keep steadily to their work, and then probably they would give a dif ferent tale.

The business at the various stores and public-houses is very brisk ; a good sign that the diggers are in possession of plenty of gold. Our ar rivals are from 36 to 40 a-week, and the departures very few.

TUENA GOLD. – On the 11th instant, says the same paper, Mr. McAusland, of Tuena, brought into town 138 ounces of gold, which he disposed of at the rate of £3 15s. 6d._ per ounce to the Union Bank-an ad vance, we believe, of 3d. per ounce on previous sales.

5 July 1856

THE GOLDFIELDS. The accounts thnt have lately been received from our gold-fields are very encouraging.

At all the old diggings the diggers are doing very well, and, considering the small number that are engaged in this trade compared to the sister colony, we have no reason to complain of lack of gold.

Several new diggings have besn discovered during the last year, and some of them promise well.

There has been a rush to the Rocky River Diggings, situated in the Northern District, and our correspondent states that the storekeepers havo expended, during last month, £10,000 in buying gold.

In the Southern district, the Braidwood diggings are commanding notice, and at the Little River gold fields a splendid nugget weighing 18 ounces was found last week at the Bald Ranges.

The quartz ranges on the Little River are stated, by a gentleman who has a practical know- ledge of the Turon gold country, as being rich in the extreme, and only require working to produce wealth in abundance, from Goulburn, 500 ounces were sent by the last escort, and this was entirely the produce of the Tuena for one week.

At Tumbaramba there are only 150 diggers, and their average earnings have been £3 per week. The old Western diggings con- tinue to be remunerative, and an average of about 1500 ounces is weekly sent down by escort.

During the last six months, 36,851 oz. 18 dwts. 14 grs. of gold dust have been received at the Colo- nial Treasury, by the Western Escort; and 9524 oz. 15 dwts. 13 grs. by the Southern Escort.

The Western Escort is weekly, and includes the following places :—Bathurst, Sofala, Tambaroora, Avisford, and Louisa Creek.

The Southern Escort is once a fort- night, and includes Goulburn, Braidwood, Major’s Creek, and Bell’s Paddock.

The amount of gold dust received by both escorts, during the first quarter, amounted to 21,827 oz. 8 dwts. 7 grs.; for the last quarter, ended June 30th, 24,652 oz. 5 dwts. 20 grs., which is as improvement on the quarter of about 2800 oz.

The total amount received during the six months was 46,379 oz. 14 dwts. 3 grs. The revenue derived from this branch of the service, and which is calculated at one per cent, each ounce of gold dust being considered worth £3 per ounce, would therefore amount to nearly £1400.

This cannot bo considered as the whole of the produce of our gold fields for the last six months, because it is well known that a similar quantity, if not more, is weekly sent down by the post and by private hands ‘than’ is for- warded by the escorts.

The following table will show tlio amount of gold dust that has been received monthly at the Colonial Treasury by both Escorts during the last half-year,: Western Escort. Southern Escort. ox. dwts. grs. OK. dwts. grs. January … 4803 l8 19 774 19 l8 February … 5777 7 0 1014 li 10 March … 7155 10 22 1400 10 6 Apiil … 5430 8 13 1189 3 22 May … 7008 0 10 2091 14 6 Juno … G013 0 10 215S 12 ‘1 30,851 l8 14 Amount received from January 5th to June 28th by Western Escort : 36,854ozs. 18dwt. 14gr. Ditto Southern 9524 15 13 Total amount received 40,370 14 J

8 July 1856

OUR GOLD-FIELDS.

A REACTION has taken place. Thousands of diggers are engaged in our various gold mines – extending in almost every direction, north, south, and west.

We have received private advices of the success which has recently accom- panied the labours of different parties, and also of the discovery of new fields; but we have waited to ascertain the facts ‘ere we ventured to make them public.

It has always been under- stood that the rush which took place from this colony to Port Phillip, when the diggings in that colony were first discovered, was prema- ture ; and that if subsequently we had had a population of working diggers equal in number to the men employed there, our produce of the precious metal would have equalled theirs.

In addition to a large accession of European labour to the mines within the last few weeks, a considerable number of Chinese are also engaged in digging. The tax of £10 per head upon each Chinaman, to be paid by the captain of the ship before the celestial emigrants are allowed to land in Victo- ria, is operating favourably for New South Wales.

Two shiploads have, within the last fortnight, come on to Sydney, and many of them have, we understand, joined their companions on the auriferous fields.

15 July 1856

For the last few weeks the streets of Sydney have been perambulated by many hundred wondering Chinese, who have been landed here on their way to the diggings.

Large parties have started off from time to time to the goldfields, but it would seem that the great bulk of them are still in Sydney. The talismanic word “ advance,” however, appears to have been given, as yesterday an unusual amount of bustle and excitement prevailed in the severed temporary encampments selected by the celestials, the principal of these being, so far as numbers are concerned, that on the Tank stream, where they occupy a pretty large and well – enclosed square piece of ground.

From their several quarters the Chinese issued at an early hour in the morning, and scattered them- selves over the city, entering shops that exhibited any of those articles they conceived were necessary for their outfit as diggers, Where they made purchases with readiness and great tact.

Throughout the day parties of them might be seen wending their way back to their encampment, in single file, laden with pur- chases, such as picks, shovels, pans, buckets, jack- boots, reefing jackets, and in fact everything that is generally enumerated in that significant term a digger’s swag.

Clear and bright shone in the sun bran new pick, shovel, and dish, and confident and hopeful beamed the countenances of the celestials as they trudged along, more than one party of whom attracted the attention of groups of professional dig- gers who are themselves en route from the Victoria gold-fields to test the auriferous soil of New South Wales.

If the forethought which the celestials have evinced an preparing themselves for the pending cam- paign be a true indication of persevering efforts to come-and there is little doubt but it is-we may hope ere long to see our gold-fields once more the centre of attraction, and New South Wales the cynosure of the world’s eyes.

But it is not by Chinese alone the great test is at this time to be applied to our gold-fields ; for at present it is reported that hundreds, we might say thousands, of practised diggers are on their way from the sister colony attracted here by encouraging accounts from the Rocky River in the north, and Stoney Creek in the west.-

If these men only give a fair trial for their own sakes to the work before them, great results may be expected. On Friday the City of Sydney brought up 140 diggers, and the most of these on the same day started for the Rocky River, taking passage in the Illalong, pre- ferring the route per Maitland, to the other by the Clarence. Below will be found particulars as to the proper route to be taken).

On Saturday the Wonga Wonga brought upwards of 60 more, and many of these also proceeded yesterday evening to the Rocky River via Maitland.

It was quite a revival of old times to see at so many shop doors bundles of picks, shovels, cradles, and toms exhibited, and to perceive such a number of stalwart, hirsute looking men handling them in a manner that betokened a knowledge of their uses.

“To the diggers intending to proceed to the Northern Diggings-either the Hanging Rock or Rocky River. This communication is designed to correct a mistake (or something worse) in reference to the nearest route to the above-named diggings, and to caution them against being misled by a representation made ap- parently to serve a purpose. The direct road is by the way of the Hunter’s River ; all other directions will mislead.

The distance is as follows :-From Maitland to Singleton, 30 miles ; to Muswellbrook, 25 ; to Aber- deen, 8 miles. Parties may either cross the mountain from Aberdeen, or take the usual Northern Road, through Scone, Murrurundi, and the distance to the Hanging Rock, from: Aberdeen, is about 50 miles ; to the Rocky River, 120; across the mount, by the Northern Road, about 150. Upon the Northern Road the mail passes to and fro twice a week.-A Well wisher.

8 July 1856

LOUSIA CREEK: To the Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald. SIR,-The land held by the Colonial Gold Company, known as the Great Nugget Vein, is at last thrown open to the public, and it is impossible to describe the rush it has caused from the neighbouring diggings, most of which are totally deserted.

Men arrive here in droves from ten to thirty, and hundreds are on the road, some with teams, pack horses, and almost every conceivable conveyance. A

s long as they get here they appear satisfied, and well they may be, for no one can now doubt that Louisa Creek is the richest diggings in- cluded in the Western gold-field.

Last month it was thrown open to the diggers here, by the company, upon rather singular terms, the men working upon the company’s ground received a shilling a day and exemption from the license fee, but they had to give the company one-fifth of the gold they obtained.

When the ground was thrown open I do not think there were more than one hundred diggers here, and it was not likely that they would hit upon the richest spots at once.

Most of the men that worked there before the company obtained it, being scattered through the other diggings. A great many parties have had extraordinary suc- cess within the last few days ; a nugget was picked up yesterday weighing fifteen pounds seven ounces, nearly free from quartz, and within two feet of the surface, and another large one to-day, weighing 87 ounces 3 dwts. ; it is nothing now to hear that men obtain from six to eight ounces in a tub.

There are but a few unsuccessful diggers here, most of them making over a pound a day, and others from £10 to £100.

There is plenty of room here for 20,000 diggers, for the whole of the gullies and hills are auriferous.

It is a matter of surprise that the company lost so much money in working this place; and many persons imagine that if Captain Paul had remained, the com- pany would have soon got back the capital they ex- pended, and by this would have declared a very hand- some dividend.

It is quite evident that there has been mismanagement somewhere, for some of the most likely-looking places have not been touched. I will write you every week, and let you know how the diggings here progress. I remain, Sir, your obedient servant. WM. SMITH. Louisa Creek, July 2nd. 1856.

5 July 1855

THE NEW GOLD FIELD.

A great deal of excitement has prevailed in our town during the last few days, owing to the rumours which were disseminated far and wide, of the large quantities of gold said to have been dug up on Stoney Creek, and transmitted per mail to Bathurst.

Some of the stories seem altogether so incredible that it was only necessary to hear to disbelieve them.

Others wore more of an air of probability, and when traced to their fountain head, were found to be nearly true. Upon reference, however, to trustworthy and and available sources of information, we find that, as usual, a great deal of exaggeration has been bandied about, and that the truth has been something highly coloured

It is a great mistake to call the Stoney Creek diggings a new gold-field. They have been worked for many months with greater or less success, but the doings there, for reasons best known to the few diggers at work, have been kept as secret as possible.

At length an individual, known by the soubriquet, Bothered Harry, hit upon a 28oz. nugget in a small tributary of Stoney Creek, known as the Stockyard Creek.

The news spread upon the wings of the wind, a rush was the consequence, and a large track, of the adjacent country was laid out in claims. From one man, of whose veracity we have no doubt and who has spent four months upon these diggings, we learn the following particulars.

After a steady course of sobriety and industry during the time mentioned, our informant, who was generally believed to have been uncommonly fortunate, had saved 10 ozs. of gold, which he brought with him to Bathurst. Being upon the spot at the time of the rush, he was the third upon the ground, and got the selec- tion of the third claim, but although within a ‘stone’s throw’ of his bothered friend, his claim proved an unprofitable one.

Beside the 26oz. nugget, already mentioned, a man from Orange had pounced upon one 44 ozs., and a Chinaman another of 13 ozs. Bo- thered Harry’s claim was worked out when he left (last Tuesday), and several of the most profitable ones had ceased to yield gold.

A majority of the diggers were doing well, some few were exceedingly lucky, and as usual, in all these rushes, a considerable number of the unfortunate were wan- dering about from place to place. The gold is coarse and nug- getty, and runs in patches, thus rendering the digger’s earnings a matter of considerable uncertainty.

Two loads of earth, taken out of a neighbouring claim, produced sixteen ounces of gold and a report was current upon the diggings that one tub of earth pro- duced sixteen ounces but, upon enquiry, the quantity diminished to eight ounces.

So far his observation went. At the time our informant left, the number of his license was 805, and after taking it out an increase of some 200 arrivals had taken place. The Mookerwa, which is about three miles distant, was completely deserted and diggers were arriving from Tamba- roora and the surrounding country in considerable numbers.

There was a large quantity of gold upon the ground wanting purchases, but money was scarce. The diggings were well supplied with provisions. Beef was 3d per lb, flour £2 per 100lbs, tea 2s. 6d. per lb., sugar 7d., and other necessaries pro- proportionately cheap. The diggings are distant about 30 miles from Orange, 18 from Molong, and 8 from the Macquarie.

From Mr. J. Aarons, who arrived in Bathurst at the latter end of last week with 3 ozs. of the Stoney Creek gold, we have learned the following particulars. Mr. Aarons visited the diggings on Sunday, 15th ultimo, when he estimated the population at about 600.

From the result of enquiries made upon the spot all were doing well, and some were exceedingly fortunate. He Heard of one tub of earth producing 14 ozs. of gold, and there was a good deal of talk about a nugget welgh- mg 54 ozs. but he did not see it.

There were huge quantities of gold wanting purchasers, and, if disposed to purchase, he could have bought £3000 worth on the spot. There was no postal com- munication at the time he was there, but steps had been taken towards its establishment.

Diggers were pouring in from all sides promising speedily to form a very large population. Busi- ness in the neighbouring townships had in consequence become brisk, and nothing was talked of but the diggings. From Sergeant Cassidy, of Tambaroora we learn that the dig- gers are fast deserting that side of the country for Stoney Creek. Since the above was wri¡tten we leam that the number of the licences affords no guide as to the numbers on the field, inasmuch as it is at present in the Tambaroora a district.

11 August 1856

STONEY CHEEK.

A great excitement prevails at Stoney Creek, owing to the discovery of some surfacing surpassing in richness anything yet found out on this gold-field.

The spot where the new rush has taken place is about a hun- dred yards from the old vvoiking, known as “ Cox’s Surface,” on tho bank of tho creek.

Many nug- gets have been picked up, varying from a few penny- weights to l8 ounces. One party took out over a hundred ounces in two days within a foot of the sur- face, indeed among the roots of the grass.

Another party took out upwards of seventy ounces in one day. Other parties got from five to twenty ounces for a day’s work. Besides the surfacing, some good shallow sinking lins been found on the same point, in which as much ns two ounces to tho tub have been obtained.

LOUISA CREEK, July24.-Mr. William Smith writes; -The extraordinary success of somo individuals is really astonishing : I will only give you a few in- stances.

Jim Reid, a man well known here, and who worked for the Compiny, picked up a nugget weigh- ing 11 lbs. 5 0Z3,, together with a laige quantity of fine gold, about four feet from the smface.

Mr. Marsden washed from one tub of earth 53 ozs. Sdvvts., and tho whole of tho claims near him are yielding fortunes to tho lucky owners. Tom Turner has a beautiful nugget mixed with quartz, weighing about 4 lbs. ; it is the handsomest piece I over saw.

This nugget was obtained n short distance from the place where Doctor Kerr obtained the 100 lbs. weight nugi get. Mr. Joe Toole, a publican at Tambaroora, ob- tained since he came heie, above -libs, weight; and, although we have the storekeepers from the neighbour- ing gold-fieldä, they are unnble to purchase one-thiid of the gold offered them.

A son of Mr. Liwn, at Morpeth, writes from the Rocky River to his father on 23rd July :-*’ Dear father, I suppose you have heard a bad account of these diggings from some mon who have returned, but I assure you these diggings are flist-rato, for men who have thirty or forty pounds of money.

The sinking is forty to eighty feet on an average, and it generally takc3 foiiror five men six days to siiîk a shaft, so if the ‘men’be poor, thoy soon get disheartened, at paying for powder, jumpers, and quarry-wedges ; for this reason there aro less sinking than should be, and this is, the ‘causo so many are complaining for want ofemploy ¡ment.

I never was ¡it a moro general diggings ; theie is hardly any one that- has sunk and bottomed theil ¡shafts, but ore getting gold to piy thom well-from Ithreo to five ounces is obtained Irom 40 buckets of jstuff.” Tile writer of the above extracts’ has boen at ;mo3tof all the Port Phillip gold-fields, and I am quite ¡sure he has no interest but to moke à statement of plain truths. ‘

27 August 1856

GOLD NEWS. ROCKY RIVER

You must not look for much this week, as the news is rather scanty. A great number of Chinamen, at least 300, have arrived during the last fortnight. They are a useless set of people for developing the resources of a gold-field.

They will not look about to try a new place, but wherever they can moke enough to subsist upon there they will stay until something better turns up.

The diggers are -sery much troubled with thom, for thoy will drive a-head until they are stopped, whether into their own claims or anybody else’s. In my last I mentioned that Tip- perary Ranges had turned out well, but I am sorry to say they have turned out blanks.

There aie about twenty shafts sank opposite Tipperary, but as there are none bottomed, I cannot give you the result.

An extract in your paper stated that wages were being made at Tipperary ¡ – but I am sorry to inform you it is untrue, as there were only two shafts bottomed, and no gold obtained ; the other shafts were abandoned.

There has been rush after rush, but nothing payable found. On Sunday, there was a rush down the river to the hill opposite Cameron’s store. I have not heard of the result yet.

A man writing to the Maitland Mercuru, which is copied in the Herald, states that he sunk a bhaft in five days, he must have meant five weeks, for it takes fully that time to bottom a shaft, with hard Work night and day.

A few parties on Mount Welsh are doing a great stroke. I have been informed, on the best authority, that Bryan’a party got 140 ounces in one day this week. O.i Mount Jones about half aro doing well. “Winter’s party have averaged six to eight ounces to the load the last two weeks.

Waterford’s party aver- aged five ounces, but in some loads made eleven ounces. Calder’s party averaged seven ounces, and in some loads sixteen ounces. I believe the above parties are doing about the best nt Mount Jones at the present time. I have just returned from a long walk over the ranges, and wherever I have been, found claims marked out and shafts going down.

I would not advise any one to como up until they hear more about these diggings, at least for three or four weeks, when the greater part of those who are working will have bot- tomed.

At Mount Jones nearly all the claims are taken up, and that is supposed to be the best paying part ; there are about 2000 men upon it ; on Mount Welsh certainly not less than 600; and about 1000 scattered about the ranges.

We are still badly off for sugar j the storekeepers are selling the little they have at Is. to Is. 4d. per lb. Some of the gold buyers are giving £3 8s. per ounce ¡ others are offering £3 8s. 6d. for gold well cleaned. The weather keeps cold, and I am half frozen while writing this. When the weather becomes finer, my communications shall be longer.Fi

14 August 1856

Gold Commissioner’s Office, Sofala, 28th July. 1850.

Sir,—In accordance with instructions, I have the honour to make my quarterly report, on the state and prospect of the gold-fields in the Western District.

I have delayed doing so until I had an opportunity of visiting the Stoney and Louisa Creek Gold Fields, which are at present attracting so much attention, and as before going thither, I had to complete the issue of licenses in the district more immediately under my charge, I have only now returned from their inspection.

LOUISA CREEK.-In consequence of the admission of the public into the claims of the Great Nugget Vein Company at this place, a great rush was made to it at the commencement of this month, and at the present time I should imagine that there are at least 2000 souls (of whom 1400 to 1500 are miners) assembled there;—every day there are fresh arrivals, principally, however, from the neighbouring gold-fields.

Undoubtedly a large quantity of gold has been obtained, and some few parties have done exceedingly well, but taking into account the number of persons at work, I do not con- sider that the total yield is more than would be ob- tained by the same number of persons on the chief of the older gold-fields.

I made a great many personal enquiries, and the majority of the answers were not satisfactory, and whether it is from the miners retain- ing the gold in their own hands, or from an absence of purchasers, the amount sent by Escort has de- creased.

The digging is almost entirely confined to the Company’s claims, the richest portions of which have been previously worked. There is, however, an immense extent of precisely similar country extending in every direction, so that I have little doubt that as soon as the presont limited area is exhausted, that fresh ground will be discovered.

I am afraid, however, that, during the summer season, the supply of water will fall short. Mr, Sub-Commissioner Cloete is now stationed there, performing also tho duties of Clerk of Petty Sessions at Avisford.

In consequence of the kindness of Mr. Spence, the manager of the Colonial Gold Com- pany, in allowing the police the use of the company’s buildings, I have been enabled to detach a corporal and three men from the Avisford station, without in- curring any expense, beyond the erection of a lock-up.

STONEY CREEK.—These diggings are situated on a narrow strip of table land, running parallel with the Macquarie River, and dividing the watershed of the Muckerawa and other creeks to that river, from that of the Stoney Creek and others to the Bell River.

They are at present chiefly confined to a small portion of surface ground, from 18 inches to 4 feet in depth, which has proved exceedingly rich, and to a narrow gulley, called the “Golden Gulley.” The day previous to my being on the ground a “nuggett” was taken from the piece of surfacing ground weighing 130 ounces, perfectly pure, as also, at the same time, two of 16 and 18 ounces respectively.

I saw also a good many “ nuggetts” in the hands of the miners. One party was averaging £40 per diem, and another, composed of six, informed me that they were getting “middling wages,” which on pushing my enquiry, I found to be four ounces a day.

Of those working the majority ap- peared to be satisfied, and several old Turon miners expressed to me a high opinion of the prospects of the gold-field, the only apprehension appearing to be the probable failure of water, although at the present time there is abundance.

I have always been of opinion, that in this direction the most extensive of all our gold- fields will yet be developed; in every one of the nume- rous gullies leading into the Macquarie and Bell Rivers gold has been discovered, and the whole tract of country towards Ophir and Orange presents great in- dications of being auriferous.

At the time of my visit I calculated that there were upwards of a 1000 souls there, of whom 700 to 800 were diggers; a great number of these were wandering about, in an undecided state, and there were a great number of persons merely visitors.

Mr. A. G. C. Maclean will, for the present, remove from Tambaroora to Burrendong, a distance of twelve miles from Stoney Creek, where there are stables and other conveniencies for the police. To reinforce the two men previously stationed there, I have detached the corporal from Ophir, and two men from Tamba- roora, and I further propose, as soon as practicable, to place two men on the ground, and to erect a lock-up there; in the meantime the police from Burrendong will constantly patrol the diggings.

MEROO.-The majority of the miners in this district have gone to Louisa or Stoney Creek, but I have no doubt that a large number of them will return to this field, which is very extensive, and by no means ex- hausted; in fact, during the summer season the miners will be driven back from Louisa Creek, through a want of water. By the removal of police from here, there will only be left a serjeant and two men.

TURON.-There has likewise been a large migration of miners from this district; I do not consider that there are more than four hundred diggers at present remaining.

Notwithstanding this, the residents in the township of Sofala continue improving their houses, and there exists a confident feeling of a speedy reaction in favour of the Turon—already the miners are return- ing from the new places.

Although no large yields may have been lately discovered, yet it is, I believe, the most steady and certain of all the gold fields, and one at which fair wages can always be obtained. There is still a great extent of ground untouched, particu- larly miles of the bed of the river, which, though dif- ficult to work, has always proved exceedingly rich.

About 150 Chinese arrived here during this month, and have apparently determined upon remaining; they are a patient industrious race, who do well where Europeans cannot.

TAMBAROORA.—As at the Meroo, the principal part of the population has left for the new fields, and for some months I anticipate that little will be done here. By the removals to Burrendong, the police remaining hero will only amount to three. OPHIR is almost entirely deserted. I have left only one trooper there, to protect the police buildings and the few diggers still working there. The other minor gold-fields have been wholly abandoned.

There was a deficiency of 412 licenses in the last month of the past quarter-about the exact number of men employed by the Colonial Gold Company during that month, to test their claims at Louisa Creek, and the royalty received from whom did not make up the deficiency;—on the whole quarter, compared with the previous one, the decrease in the revenue is, however only £39 7s., which, I anticipate, will be more than made up for during the present.

Finally, I think that there is a great reason for hope in the future prospects of the gold- fields in the western districts: for should even the places lately discovered not prove so extensive as may reasonably be expected, yet the addition of so many to the mining population, and the traversing by so many experienced miners over so great an extent of country, will, ¡n all probability, lead to some further important discoveries. I have, &c.; [Signed] WILLIAM JOHNSON; Senior Assistant Commissioner for the Western Gold Districts. The honorable the Colonial Secretary.

29 October 1856

TUMUT. IT would appear from the subjoined letter, which we “have received from a highly respectable party, that fold in paying quantities has been found on the Tumut.

The“ prospects” which were procured by Messrs. Kelly and Bridle, are so good that we doubt not that when they become known there will be a rush to “ the Horse Shoe.” _ “ I take this opportunity of informing you of the discovery, of what appears to be, an extensive gold- field ; the statement that I shall make may be relied upon as truth. Mr. Peter Kelly, a highly respectable farmer, residing on the Tumut, in company with Mr. ?William Bridle, junr., and one servant, have just re- turned from a prospecting excursion upon the Tumut Hiver, the result is that they have obtained nine penny- weights of gold at three several trials in shallow sink- ing, at a point named “ Horse-shoe,” distant from the Tumut township about twenty-five miles, and twelve miles from Messrs. Wilkinson’s home station.

The road is good to within four miles of the place; I must here state that Messrs. Kelly and Bridle have no intention of gold-digging themselves, though Mr. Kelly has been a successful digger, and a man of large experience in mining.

I am informed by him that there is no doubt but a valuable gold-field will be discovered at or near the place alluded to ; he states they could have obtained each day at the_ least as much as the above quantity, had they been inclined to labour, although the weather was so much against them, it raining continually. Messrs. Kelly and Bridle will give every information to parties wishing to proceed up to where this gold has been discovered.

The gentlemen above named have no wish to lead any per- son astray whatever. The gold is of the same descrip- tion as that from the Adelong diggings, and can be ?een at any time by calling at their residence. The above information I have from themselves, upon their return home, I likewise examined the gold, and from the .well-known respectability of the parties, I can vouch for the truth of this.” ADELONG.-We have received information from ,a reliable source, that new diggings have been discovered on the Adelong Creek, which promise exceedingly ?well.

LAst week, eight ounces of gold, the produce of a few days’ work, were brought to the Tumut by one of the parties who had procured’ it. He purchased supplies for himself and party, and started back to tfce locality. Owing to,th’e continued rain, there appears to have been much difficulty in working the claims, it is said that rain has continued to fall, with scarcely a day s intermission, for three months.

20 December 1856 OUR GOLD FIELDS. (From the Goulburn Chronicle.) Adelong.-With the return of settled fine weather, these gold fields are reviving. We believe that the returns have never been so great in proportion to the population employed.

About 150 men are at work on the old Adelong fields. Several applications for water privileges have lately been entertained by the Com- missioner. E. Talbot is busily employed in cutting a race two and a quarter miles long, with water head for two sluices.

The contract for cutting, we believe, is £70. Several parties have crossed the ridge into the main Adelong, and are very successful. As this creek is very extensive – room for many hundreds is now provided. In Sharpe’s Creek, a few parties are doing mode- rately well, say about £10 per week per man ; but water is getting scarce.

Reedy Flat.-A party of three men from the Ovens, Smedley, Dougherty, and another, have been very busy during the week in washing up the old stuff. Several hundred ounces have rewarded their laborious exertions. They have obtained the right of bringing water from the head of the Gilmore to the Reedy Flat, about six or eight miles, with water for three sluices.

The contract for cutting is £250. The old hands now see the prize they have missed. Tumberumba and Tarcutta.-About 100 men are at work here with varied success.

We understand that an opportunity will be afforded to the miners in the Murrumbidgee district to rid themselves of their accumulated gold before the 31st December, by an armed escort as far as Goulburn

20 December 1856

TUENA CREEK.

We have very encouraging news from this gold field. Considerable quantities of the precious metal are almost daily arriving, by private hands, of which no correct account finds it way into the public prints. Yesterday, Mr. James Bright brought into Goulburn a heavy parcel of 320 ounces, including a nugget weigh- ing 2 lbs. 11 ozs.

This specimen, which we have seen, apparently contains about 20 per cent of quartz. It was found on the 13th instant, in a gully (pre- viously worked) at the back of Pennyweight Point, by two diggers named Mark William Carr and Joseph Barnard.

Several nuggets of pure gold have also been found within the last few days, in the immediate neighbourhood. In honor of the discovery, it is pro- posed to discard the destructive title of” Pennyweight Point,” which is no longor a representative name, and to substitute that of “ Nuggetty Point.”

There is a large number of diggers (comparatively speaking) at present on the Tuena, and accessions are daily coming in. Nearly all are doing well, and during the summer months it is confidently expected a “ heavy stroke” will be done.

As an instance of good luck, we ma- mention that three men, McGrath, Ritchie, and Kemp, washed out, on Monday last, twenty ounces of the yellow metal. One of the party only returned to the Creek on Saturday, after having disposed in Goulburn of a heavy parcel. The water is now less troublesome on the wet diggings, and the bed claims (many of which have been some time taken up) will partly be energetically worked. The feeling is general that they will turn out well.

A few parties, who have attempted to work them in the face of great difficulties, have obtained such excellent prospects as would seem to gratify the most sanguine hopes.

The major portion of the population are now working on Bright’s Flat and at Nuggetty Point (late Penny- weight).

The Rocky River.-The following lettetfrom Mr. J. H. West, to M*. D. ‘Meiklejohn, of Mwpeth, ap- pears ‘in Thursday’s Maitland Mercury.-” Rocky River Diggings, December 16. My dear fir,-I am sorry to inform you that our shaft, like a great many more on the “ Sawpit,” has proved unkind, and re- fused to be as good as we expected at the tine I last wrote to you. We had one of the best shows on the lead, but is one of the strangest places in either of the colonies ; it has baffled the skill and won out the patience of some of the oldest diggers on tie Rocky.

The crown of the ridge, which was the last lurviving hope of the “ Sawpit,” has been abandoned,ind holes which a week or so ago were supposed to bo inmensely rich are now left as “ duffers.” The genenl opinion is that the lead is either run out, or so “ jammed” by immense lumps of rock and granite reefs oslo confine it to a very small space. Gold digging on the “ Sawpit” I assure you is now at a discount, and hearts which a short time ago beat high with hope, now feel that throb rio more. Huny per- sons who have been there from the first are now going away in disgust, and, I may add, penury.

Jinny men have been sinking here for the last six or nine months without having made one single penny. It would not willingly damp the ardour of persons intending to become diggers, but I am deeply im- pressed with the belief thit there arc many more pro- fitable modes of investing both capital and labour than in the “ Rocky Diggings”-an opinion which will be endorsed not only hy the thousands who have left their sweat and money without reward upon the Rocky, but also by the vast numbers who still remain.

Were I to go into details, and tell you how many men I have seen who have distressed themsehes and their families-how many men I hnve known lo leave com- fortable ho-nes and good employments to come here, and then to depict the blank yet eloquenllookof disap- pointment and despair which sits upon their counte- nances at the first sight of the Rocky, ani then the de- termination with which they go to work and sink hole after hole without the least success-the privations, hardships, and despairings which they endure-were I to g2 into these things, to use the words of Shaks pere : “ I conld a tnlo unfold.” ,

I have no doubt but these statements will be met either by parties interested, or by ptrties who have been luckv, and who are therefore free from the stings either of disappointment or privation ; but from the manner in which I have been conmlimented, nay honoured, for my statements in a former letter, I believe I can meet them. I have no interest to Berve savo that of telling the truth, and I would say to any person intending to come to the diggings-who wish to do well-’ ‘ Have you a capital ? Are you prepared for a deal of disappointment ? Hare you plenty of patienccr” Any friend of mine who can answer these questions in the affirmative may come, but without let him choke the thought 70, 80, and 100 feet is a common depth for sinking, in many cases costing as many pounds to put then down ; imagine, then, the consternation of a man who sinks one of theie, and finds it a blank.

I am persuaded that unless some more payable gold-field thai this be speedily discovered, there will be a great change from the things that were-a chango fron bad to worse. But I believe there are richer deposits of gold in the northern interior than any that hive as yet been dis- covered, only requiring capital and energy to reveal them.

And when I reflect upon the gigantic interest which the Government ought to hive in ihe discovery of gold fields, I am impressed willi the thought that the Government should do something more for the diggers than merely giving them a commissioner, and a couple of policemen, for the purposes of selling and collecting licenses.

They might better display their zeal by forming a staff of practical diggers, for tue discovery of payable gold fields. If this were done, I am convinced the diggers’ sphere would soon be widened to such an extent as would not only attract thousands to our shores, but also increase our importance in the eyes of the world, and take away much of that disappointment and risk which at present attends the pursuit.

There is no question but that the man who discovers a] gold field which will be productive of twenty or hirty tons of gold makes the colony exactly that much richer-butwhatis the inducement forhim to go and seek for new” fields at present ?. None, except the possibility of his losing his ull in prospecting about the’ country.

It is true that gold committees have manifested muoh interest in the matter-but tho question arises, should not interest and sympathy be manifested in another and a higher quarter ? Our gold exports I am sure will not shrink from a comparison with those of wool, and if the kings of fleece axe encircled by the Government with all sorts, of clauses for their protection and en- couragement, I think the digger is entitled to the same treatment. I think it is tho duty of the Government to consult tho happiness and welfare of every class of its subjects, and with great respect for the Government I must say they have hitherto shown too little concern for the digging interests.