KIANDRA.
FROM OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
No. 11.
-- The escort left on Saturday with 867 ozs. 7 dwts. 10 grs., and £142. The above will show
the great decrease in our population during the last ten days; my previous letters and
telegrams have, in a measure, explained the cause -- the second rush to Crackenback --
the accounts from which still continue most favourable.
Several small parcels of gold have been brought in during the last few days. It is,
without exception, the best sample of gold yet obtained in the Alpine regions. It is rough,
from ½ dwt. to 4 dwt pieces, much water worn and clean. The storekeepers there are
giving from £3 15s. 6d. to £3 17s. per ounce for it. From a flood race a party of men were
cutting, for the purpose of turning the river a short distance from Grice's old claim, that
caused the first rush, upwards of nine ounces was obtained hr two days. Another party
also got twenty-four (24) ounces in the river in two days. On Saturday a small parcel of
about thirty four (34) ounces was brought in that was obtained on the banks in about six
feet sinking.
At present I am not enabled to send you full particulars with respect to the place, for,
unlike the last rush, the few that are returning say but little with respect to the place. I do
not know of any that have returned, except for the purpose of selling claims they may be
interested in here, or to hurry their mates away.
A party arrived yesterday for the purpose of getting his mates, and he informed me that
eight miles below Grice's claim, payable gold was being obtained. He would only say
that any man could make £1 per day there. From the most reliable accounts I can get, I
should think the population there at present is from 400 to 600.
Mr. Commissioner Clark leaves to-day to visit the place. The gold is being found in the
Crackenback or Threadbo Creek (as it is called, although from all accounts the creek is
considerably larger than the Snowy River is at Kiandra), about 14 miles from its junction
with the Snowy River; it is distant about 65 miles from this place, being near Mount
Kosciusko. To those that are acquainted with the bush, it can be reached under 40 miles.
That the Snowy River, with its various tributaries, will be profitably worked in a great
number of places every day seems to be demonstrated, for in addition to the gold that is
being obtained at Crackenback, I know of a party of men who have sold a very good
paying claim for a few pounds, to join a party who have struck gold at Grant's Creek,
sixteen miles from Crackenback, having got thirty ounces out of five or six feet of ground.
Postal irregularities seem now to be the rule rather than the exception, no Sydney mails
arriving either on Thursday or Saturday last.
We have been favoured with beautiful summer weather during the last few days, and can
now boast of having had a fine Sunday once at least during the last three months.
-- Weather changeable; rain yesterday; on the whole a fine week
for Kiandra. No news, men are accustomed to say, is good news; but whether it can be
said of this place my Sydney readers must be the best judges. The second rush to
Crackenback has again thinned our ranks here. Numbers have left this week, and horses
and saddles have been quite at a premium. We have no further reliable information,
except that from letters and messages from diggers to their mates, many have been
induced to sell out of good claims and to start for the Thredbo. Twelve ounces of
Crackenback gold were sent down by yesterday's escort; it is all coarse, water worn, and
nuggetty; is heavier than the Kiandra gold and possessing less alloy. Goods are being sent
from New Providence and here pretty freely. Packhorses are again in request, as the last
five miles from M'lvor's station is barely passable with drays.
-- Very good accounts from the various parties on the Tumut. Much gold
will yet be got out of this river.
-- Barely two hundred diggers left. Many here are turning their
attention to ground sluicing, and have taken up one acre bases.
-- About 120 diggers here, chiefly engaged in puddling.
-- Many have abandoned good claims here to proceed to
Crackenback, having given up all hopes of fine weather here.
-- Many are still working on the flats, mostly with wheel and pump,
and getting more than tucker-that is, doing very well.
-- On the 15th the Escort took down 867 oz. 7 dwts. 10 grs., and £142 in
notes. This, considering the decrease of diggers, is still a high average return.
On New Chum Hill several ground sluices have got to work. One party, by hydraulic
pressure, somewhat after fire-engine system. Many have laid several hundred pounds out
on this hill, and are confident that the whole of the south side will pay well for sluicing.
-- A musical entertainment was given at Luke Reilly's on Thursday last,
in aid of the prospecting fund. The commissioners honoured it, and were present some
time. It was very well attended.
-- This building is now complete, with the exception of the internal
fittings.