Polynesian., 1862-02-22
Ghe Aolplresian.
AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

coming here from four to five months after the date of
the papers, As it not unfrequenty happens, however,
that vessels from Australia Sydney or Melbourne for
San Francisco do touch here for water provisions
we hope that friends and exchanges in either of
those Australian cities would see it that papers were
forwarded expressly this place whenever such oppor
tunity offers.
The Early Bird, which left Sydney Nov. 18th last,
had neither mail nor papers for this port, where she
touched in January. route for San Francisco. The
last mail from the last named city, however, brought
us file of Australian dates, ranging from the begin
ming of July last to October Sls, twelve days before
the sailing of the Early Bird From the above file we
gather the following:
In regard to the NeW Zealand gold diggirgs we clip
the following, promising that up October I'd there
had left for the gold diggngs, from Melbourne alone
1925 passengers, in 81 vessels, and the following
week 800 left Sydney at time for the New Zea-
land gold fields:
"THE RUAPEKA GOLD FIELDs.-By the RanQatira
we have papers to the 18th inst. from Otago. The
COLontst of that date says Gabriels Gully is still the
favorite spot, and the ground has been taken up far
outside the limits where gold would be looked for under
ordinary circumstances. The consequence is, though
get gold where they really hardly expect it, many
are disappointed with rank shicers.'' OF ground
lately opened the rises in the sides of the gully have
turned out best The earlier holders of claims find their
ground good ever, and we may look for time
to considerable quantities of the precious metal from
Gabries Gully After the claims partially left the
ground will no doubt be taken up for pudding and
suicng purposes larger scale thSn at present at
tempted party of six miners arrived in Dunedin
fortnghtago Discouraged by the reports they heard
instead of all going the dggings they deputed of
their number to make a of investigation He has
just returned and his account is sufficiently cheering
to induce his mates to fully equip themselves with
horses drays, provisions ETC., to proceed Gabres
He considers one-third Of the miners doing first
rate, the remainder he graduates from pretty fair
nothing at ALL One party of miners has been named
to US who, after being on Gabriel's only week. have
come upon very good gold There is rush four
miles from the upper end of Gabrels, az which
are said to be doing well. Beyond that again, amongst
the Natty Ranges 1--WE believe that is the name)
diggings, but we have only the as yet to rely
on. The sinking is said to be fifteen feet.
''The population of Waitahuna and the Woolshed is
considerably the Increase Some of the claims
turning out very well. One belonging to an IngewoOd
party is yielding II ozs per day. Another, known
the Cornishmen's,' keeps seven men employed, and
yields frstrate. In the rises anking the fiat gold
is found, and many of these rises have been rushed.
One of party of eight returned from Waitahuna
described his mates having sunk three holes
eighty feet claim all of which struck stuff that would
average dwt. to the tin dish. Ten miles from the
Waitahuna but extending towards it, is diggings,
called the Wcolshed Gold is found along the creek
sides, and about two hundred have set in there.
1t is premature to express an opinion on its capabilities.
but we may mention that one party sold IA Ozs. from
there A great deal of disorder is making its appear
ance at Waitahuna Fights of frequent occurrence,
also tent rObberies. One of sticking up is re-
ported. The diggers suffer great inconvenience from
having to 90 long way in search of fuel They gene
rally lay in stock Sunday to last them the week
out Others pass the day of rest in hunting and
shooting wild pigs. Meat is described as excessively
scarce and dear.'-S. II. Herald, Oct 26.
The Geelong AdUetiser says: Several Geelongites
have returned in the Lightu0ag and give a Woful ac-
count of the state of affairs Dunedin, Tuapeka, and
the line of route between these two points Some of the
returned never got further than Dunedin but others
gave the diggings a fair trial, and could not make
enough to keep body and soul together. Minute specs
of gold could be found almost anywhere but the result
of hard days work would not buy plug of tobacco.
All the vessels the way bring considerable
bers of fact it would appear that all who
can come back are coming"
THE WHALING BARK SUPERIoR-REsoUE OF SOME
OF HER MEN-It will be in the recollection of our
ders that about twelve months ago report reached
Sydney of the loss of the American whaer Superior at
Treasury Island, where the crew were nearly all
killed and the ship burnt by the natives The Re5ecca
then fitting out for the Island trade, under the COM
mand of Captain Deven, received instructions from the
American Consul to proceed to the island and endeavor
to three of the Speiors crew. reported to be
still alive in the hands If the natives, and most
fully has Captain Deven carried out his very difficult
task The Re5eccd arrived at Treasury Island the
3Oth March, and usual the natives gathered round
the vessel, and the principal chief named COpan, to-
gether with his son, came on board but he had no
sooner got into the cabin than Captain Deven secured
him. and at once demanded the liberation of the
men, The chief stated that two Of the had left the
island having made their escape by taking and
reaching in safety whaler that the coast, but
that he would give up the other, sending word shore
for that purpose and about noon he came off in
whaleboat belonging to the Superior His name is Pow
lin "a Portuguese) and he confirmed the chiefs state
ment respecting the escape of his two companions.
Several articles belonging to the unfortunate ship were
also obtained by barter, and together with the boat
have been brought on to Sydney Previous to touch
ing at Treasury Island, Captain Develin called off
Strathans Island on the 29th March, where he learned
from native named Billy that three vessels and cut
ter had been taken by the natives Of Treasury Island
the cutter doubtless the L supposed to have been
lost at sea. The Rebeccd at Roubiana on the 7th
of March, where it reported by man named Nor
timer in the employ of Captain Develin, who resides
the island for the purpose of trade, that the day pre-
vious the second mate and boats crew from an Ameri
can whaler, supposed to be the L. Jae had landed at
Hammonds Small Island, distant about fifteen miles,
for the purpose Of obtaining tobacco leaf, large
quantities of which grow there, and that landing
they attacked by the natives and all killed. Capt
Develin with difficulty obtained the boat which
he has also brought to Sydney. Great praise IS de-
cdedy due to Captain Devein for the very able
ner in which he has fulfilled his mission. 1t is well
known that the natives of these islands restore
white man to liberty unless stratagem is used but
Captain Develin's thorough knowledge of the native
character enables him to outwt the cunning Of these
savage tribes, and thus rescue unfortunate fellow
creature from a fate worse than desth.-Idem, Oct IL
Three others of the SuperiOrs crew had been taken
off by the Sydney whaling brig OHyr and landed at
Taht-the Oyr herself having lost part Of her crew
murdered at an island of the same group as the
Treasury Island.
The SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAs-This fine American
clipper ship Captain D. Mckay, was entirely destroyed
by fire some day during the week ending September