raged
them to proceed in their labours. The first spadeful of earth they dug
out was found to contain gold, and they excavated twelve feet by eight,
carefully washing the earth. They further deepened the hole next day,
and the precious deposit was found more abundantly as they descended.
On Tuesday night they had obtained about fifteen and a half ounces, and
they entered into a book the produce of the subsequent days of the
week, from which we were permitted to make the following extract:—
oz.
Wednesday ................................. 64-3/4
Thursday.................................. 77-1/4
Friday .................................... 61-3/4
Saturday .................................. 30-3/4
In all 234-1/2 ounces, which, with the quantity formerly obtained, makes 250 ounces.
The direct Route to Mount Alexander.—Much
ignorance prevails at the present moment as to the nearest and most
direct route to Mount Alexander. We give, on the authority of a
correspondent, the road which parties proceeding from Geelong to Mount
Alexander diggings should take, the total distance being eighty-seven
miles, as nearly as can be estimated. From Geelong the first stage
should be to the bridge crossing the Werribee, on the Melbourne road, a
distance of twenty-four miles; from thence to Pyke's station, twelve
miles; after which make for Collyer's station, three miles; and so on
to the Bush inn, Mount Macedon, a distance of eight miles further. The
road from the Bush inn to the diggings is then forty miles. Our own
impression is, that a still more direct road would be by Ballan.
A letter appears in the Argus from a Mr. Mortimer, from which we abridge the following, as to what is doing at Mount Alexander :—
"
On Friday afternoon, at four o'clock, I left the wharf, Melbourne,
between heavy showers of rain, and arrived at the Forest Creek on the
following evening at eight, on my little cob, a distance of
seventy-five miles ; and left again on Thursday to walk down, thus
leaving me near five days to look about, and arrived at Melbourne at
noon on Saturday. I mention these simple facts to shew to the world our
proximity to the gold region—that it is accessible to all.
" A person came towards me smiling, and asked me if I remem-
