Ashburton.  He states that another patch of gold bearing country has been
discovered twenty miles north west of the "top find," by Wilson's party,
who worked for five weeks before they found it.  There is water six miles
away, but Mr Greene sunk a well, getting good water in four days.  Two
hundred men were there when he left and all were doing well.  There are
plenty of provisions at the find, which has been named the Soldier's
Secret.  Mr Greene says that four distinct patches have now been found,
and that the gold-bearing country extends from the original "Top Find" to
Mount Mortimer, twenty-one payable gullies having been opened at the "Top
Find."  His opinion is that the field will prove a big one.  He thinks
that lots of reefs exist, but no one is troubling about them.  There are
seven hundred men scattered over the different finds.  Another seventeen
ounce nugget was found on the "Top Find" just before his departure.  Mount
Mortimer is 150 miles from Onslow.

Another informant tells me that Wilson's party, consisting of five men,
obtained nearly 700 ozs. of gold in five weeks, at the new rush before
they were found on the east side of the creek.  Gold has been found on the
west side since.

The Bank is now giving the highest price for Ashburton gold.  A good
quantity of gold has been brought in from both the Ashburton and Nullagine
within the last three days.