KIANDRA.
FROM OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
No. 8.
-- In consequence of communication with Sydney by telegraph being interrupted for the last
week, I have been unable to forward you any particulars with respect to this place.
During the last two weeks we have had a succession of sudden changes, we have been
favoured with three days fine weather this week, which seems to be the greatest amount
we can expect, for since noon to-day we are again visited with rain.
Many have left during the last few days both for Lambing Flat and the Crackenback
Creek -- the majority making their way to the latter place. Mr. Grice, who disputes the
discovery of Kiandra with Mr. Pollock, started for the purpose of prospecting the Snowy
River below the junction of the Crackenback Creek, but from the prospects he obtained in
a small tributary running into this creek, varying from ½to 1 dwt. to the dish, he
immediately made his way to Kiandra and reported the discovery to Chief Commissioner
Cleete, who granted him an extended claim. This becoming generally known, and the
weather here having been so unfavourable for working, many left without waiting to hear
any further reports. In a few days I hope to be enabled to send you further particulars.
A good deal of excitement was caused to-day by Phillip's party on the New Chum Hill, at
a depth of eighty feet, coming upon payable gold -- at this depth the reel was dipping so
fast that they were unable to bottom, but commenced a drive at this level. After driving
some forty feet the reef again rose, forming a gutter, running almost north and south, of
considerable extent. Several dishes of the drift were washed, from which, in all, 7 dwts.
of gold were obtained. They are now obliged to sink a blind, or donkey, shaft in their
drive for the purpose of bottoming the gutter, the wash in which consists of rounded
stones and quartz and, from its appearance, it is generally admitted to be the best
indication of a lead yet struck on Kiandra. In consequence of these reports, our
population have been very unsettled, and very little work doing.
The Prospecting Tunnel in New Chum Hill is now some 160 feet in length, but they have
a considerable distance yet to drive before they can expect to touch the drift.
Mr. Cooper, acting manager of the branch bank of New South Wales, left yesterday for
Sydney. A great desire was expressed by all parties to give him a dinner previous to his
departure, nor was it to be surprised at, for no person on Kiandra was more universally
respected. Great regret was expressed when it was found Mr. Cooper's arrangements
prevented him delaying his departure. He carries with him the best wishes of all classes
on Kiandra.
There was a very excellent amateur concert held at Benjamin's Hotel on Tuesday, for the
benefit of the hospital. It was well attended, and will add some £30 to the funds of this
institution.
An awful case of sudden death occurred this afternoon. A blacksmith, who had been
working here for some time, was about leaving for Sydney; he was in the Pioneer Hotel,
when he suddenly fell down, it is supposed from the bursting of a blood vessel, and
expired. His name I do not know for certain; an inquiry will be held to-morrow morning,
when, no doubt, it will be elicited.
We have had no mail from Sydney since Saturday list, the latest Sydney papers are the
13th instant.
<23RD NOVEMBER> --
Weather from Monday to Friday last, magnificent -- very hot in the day and cool at night.
On Sunday morning, the ground, with the exception of a few green patches on the hills,
was covered with snow. On Monday, hardly a vestige if it remained, and now, except on
the tops of the highest ranges, it has entirely disappeared. On Monday, we had a very
heavy fall of rain and hail for about two hours, and then a burning sun during the rest of
the afternoon. Such is the climate of Kiandra, no-one can tell what a few hours may bring
forth. Even now, In mid-summer, it is impossible to assert when one wakes up in the
morning that there will not be a foot or two of snow at the door. This afternoon, heavy
rain. This last snow storm has much disheartened the diggers, and induced all those who
were not doing very well to leave for some of the new rushes, so that at this moment we
have fewer diggers here than ever. The melting of the snow has again caused the Snowy
and Tumut Rivers to rise, and effectually stopped all work for half the week. Several men
have in consequence abandoned their claims on the lower part of the river. We want a
month's settled weather to enable the river men to reap the finite of their labour, if such is
only vouchsafed they are certain of rich returns.
-- A man named Grice, who lays claim to being the first discoverer of
gold at Kiandra, came in this week to the camp and applied for a prospecting claim on the
Crackenback River, about ten miles from Jinderboine. He makes no secret of the matter,
says there is plenty of gold all along the creek, and likewise at its Junction with the
Snowy River. Should this prove correct we may expect to find the main river payable for
many miles, and also many of its feeders which descend from the Snowy Mountain
ranges south or Mount Kosciosko. The exact locality on the Crackenback River is not
more than thirty-five miles, as the crow flies, from Kiandra. Already several men have
left, and in a fortnight or so we shall be able to form a more decided opinion on this new
Eldorado.
-- The accounts from thence are still pretty favourable. They will,
I trust, prove permanent, and make a good winter's diggings; but in the summer I doubt
whether much can be done from the scarcity of water.
-- Men are coming back disgusted. The sinking is very deep, and
the place overdone. Too many men on the ground -- some say as many as 7000. Many
repent having ever left Kiandra.
-- These diggings are going on steadily.
-- Many have left, complaining of want of water.
-- Where men can work in the river they are doing well. Some
claims on Jackass Flat and in the old flood race adjoining are turning out from two
ounces to £20 per man per week. It is all coarse gold, with nuggets of three, five, and
eight ounces interspersed. Between three and four miles up parties have been steadily at
work for some time. Report says they are getting well paid.
-- Nearly all the shafts, with the exception of the deep one at the
east end, have been abandoned; the water, penetrating through very loose sand, drives the
< >. Two large tunnels are being put in. The one driven by the prospecting party is now
about 120 feet. Several large parties have just got their preliminary operations for ground-
shafting completed. The wash dirt varies from three to twelve feet and is said to pay well.
-- The prospecting committee have not been fortunate here. They
have sunk two boles without success, and are now engaged upon a third; which at the
present depth (30 feet), promises well.
-- A party about three miles from the township is steadily sinking a
shaft. They have obtained several good specimens, and it is said have hit upon there < >.
-- Everything very dull. Goods selling at a sacrifice -- no demand.
Flour, £45 to £50 a ton, quite a drag in the market; does not pay even carriage. Oats, l8s.
to 20s. a bushel; maize l8s., ditto. Drays are still arriving with goods; many had better
turn back, at least for the present. It is probable that there will be a reaction in the course
of a few weeks, but the late snow storm, and the continuous unsettled weather have
induced many to try the new rushes, and to give Kiandra a bad name.
-- Onr communication has been interrupted for more than a week --
now we can only send messages with certainty as far as Goulburn. The late storm
knocked down some twelve posts between here and the Tumut, whilst the floods we learn
at Camden have swept everything away. The post and telegraph offices may be said to be
finished. The past office is now removed to the new building, but the electric apparatus
still remains in Cowpers store.
-- This building, situated on a hill side opposite the town, is progressing
rapidly under Mr. Kingsmill's superintendence.
-- The Rev. Mr. Mayne arrived this week at the camp, where he is at
present residing. He will commence his duties on Sunday next, by preaching in town in
the morning and at the camp in the afternoon.
-- A German named Wortman was accidentally drowned in the Tumut
River, a few miles above Lob's Hote, whilst attempting to cross on horseback, the river
being flooded at the time. An enquiry and post mortem examination has since been held,
which confirmed satisfactorily the above.
-- To-day a man, only known by the name, of 'John,' fell down
speechless in the High-street, blood issuing in large quantities from his mouth. He was
carried to Dr. Biermann's residence, where life was found to be extinct. An enquiry will
be held over him tomorrow. He is stated to have lately arrived here from Mr. Cosgrove's
station, where he had been shepherding for some time.
-- Before Messrs Dixon and Scott, J.P.s. Three men named Sharp,
McCaran, and Shepley, were charged -- the former with stealing a gold ring, value 37s.,
from the shop of Mr. Jacobson, jeweller, and the two latter with being accessory to the
fact. Sharp pleaded guilty, and having elected to be summarily dealt with, was sentenced
to six months' imprisonment in Goulburn gaol. The others were discharged.
-- A week behind hand again, on account of the Umerella having risen. This
is the case after every heavy fall of rain. It the mails must come this way, a punt should
be established without delay. The mail is now said to arrive at 6 p.m. on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday, and leaves at. 6 a.m. on the following mornings, so that letters
must be posted at 9 p.m. on the evening of arrival. Now, as it often happens that the mail
is late, it is often impossible to reply by return.
-- The 271b. nugget has been removed from the camp. I hear £800 has
been offered for it and refused. There is some talk of raffling it, but it will be difficult to
find enough members.
- Several ounces of very rich coarse gold were obtained from the
deep shaft yesterday. It is worth more than any yet found on these fields. The parties are
very sanguine of a rich yield.