THE LACHLAN
FROM OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
No. 10.
-- The escort to-morrow takes 2624 ounces 4 dwts. 9 grs. A considerable quantity of gold
still in the banks. Without we are favoured with rain soon, all the puddling machines will
be compelled to stop work.
During the past week there has been but little alteration with respect to the leads now
working. It is supposed that the Caledonian will form a junction with the Victorian lead,
and, as a matter of course, the holders of claims on the Victorian, although up to the
present it has never been proclaimed a lead, claim their privilege under the frontage
system, viz., that no shaft shall be sunk within a distance of half a mile on either side,
except for a new lead. The prospectors on the Caledonian maintain it is a new and
separate lead; and, even granting it is a continuation of the Victorian lead, argue that they
were the first to prove it to be a lead, and that they are entitled to the claim. The miners
on the Victorian are of course opposed to this, and state that in consequence of the
difficulties they have had to contend with in sinking, and the impossibility of their
bottoming, that, if the Caledonian should prove to be a continuation of the gold first
struck on the Victorian, they ought not to lose their chance because at a distance within
the limits allowed under the frontage system others have succeeded in striking gold in
ground that did not present the same difficulties they have had to contend with. It is
rather a nice question, and may lead to litigation and disputes innumerable. In
consequence of this the prices of shares in the Caledonian have not been so firm.
In my communication of the 9th instant, I mentioned that No. 5 (it should have been No.
l5), on the Caledonian was down upwards of 130 feet; and had great hopes that, being on
the deep ground, gold would be struck. Since then they have bottomed about 150 feet, but
have not yet succeeded in striking gold.
To-day a report was spread that gold had been struck on the Arcadian; a good deal of
excitement was caused; but, on enquiring into it, I found the prospectors on this supposed
lead bottomed to-day, but did not succeed in striking gold, or, as diggers say, could not
raise the gold.
An enquiry is being conducted at the camp by Mr. Davidson, with respect to the disputes
between the assistant-commissioner and the surveyor of the town; it is not at present
concluded, and being a private enquiry, held with closed doors. I cannot send any
particulars.
There appears to be but little doubt that the, man shot in the back was McGuinness, a
mate of the notorious Gardner. A man named, John Dower, who was present, was
apprehended; he was examined at the Police Court, Lambing Flat, and remanded to this
place; I have no doubt you have received the particulars. So conversant do some people
here appear to be with the movements of this gang of robbers, that it is stated since the
shooting of McGuinness Gardner has met with Paddy Connor, the third man engaged
with the police when Davis was apprehended. By the by, I wish to make a few remarks
with respect to this affray. In the accounts that have been published, sergeant Sanderson
seems to have been totally ignored. From inquiries I have made, I find that it was through
Sanderson in the first instance calling attention to the three men that Davis was
apprehended. I do not for a moment wish to detract from the merit due to detectives
Lyons and Kennedy -- who behaved admirably -- and feel quite certain they will agree
with me in according to Sanderson equal credit with themselves, Sanderson (I believe)
being one of the best police officers in the colony. I only consider these particulars should
be mentioned, as the way in which he has been ignored in the accounts I have seen, looks
to me as if it were wilfully done, and in malice, for what I have since heard no one could
have received the account at Lambing Flat from the proper source, without getting full
particulars of Sanderson's conduct, which deserves the highest praise. Returning to
Connor, it is stated that Gardner, has met him and accused him of cowardice in deserting
Davis ; took- what money he 'had-said to be £200-this amount no doubt included
McGuinness' share; took his pistols and boots way, and threatened to shoot him. It is also
stated that Connor swears vengeance against Gardner: I give the above as told to me, but
cannot vouch for the truth of it. I only hope this gang have commenced robbing each
other, for it may be the means of bringing some of them to justice. It is quite possible
Gardner will send his account of it to the local paper here, and it will be published, as a
letter purporting to be Gardner's was a week since, and that Stewart, of the Miners'
League notoriety, will write a song praising the manliness and principle of the robber
Gardner, similar to the one written by the same Stewart, and published by our local paper,
side by side with Gardner's letter.
"On Wednesday last, Benjamin Hall was arrested on the racecourse, charged with
highway robbery. He stated he was a squatter in the Wheago diotrict. He was brought
before the Police Court on Friday, remanded until to day, when he was committed for
trial. I annex particulars of his examination.