News from the Kootenais and Shuswap Mines

NEWS FROM THE KOOTANAIS AND SHUSWAP MINES. –

            A gentleman engaged in the packing business came over to Yale this week from the Kootanais country via Shuswap.  He states that so far as gold has been discovered in the Kootanais country, it is in British Territory.  There are about four hundred men engaged in mining there.  The earnings are, with the rudest appliances, from $10 to $130 a day to the hand.  The gold is coarse and saved without the aid of quicksilver.  This gentleman has nuggets worth from $10 to $84.  The shortest route to these mines from the Dalles, is 700 miles, while from Hope it is only 450 miles.  There is an abundant supply of water, and plenty of good agricultural land adjacent.  In passing through Shuswap country, he called at Cherry Creek and examined the mines.  There were three companies at work.  One claim was yielding $20 a day to the hand – none less than $10.  The water was still high, and it was expected that as it fell, richer pay would be obtained.

            We have just learned that the Hon. Colonial Secretary yesterday received several very fine specimens of Kootanais gold, together with a despatch from Mr. Haynes, conveying highly encouraging news respecting these mines.