October 13. 1852.

We have delayed our journey a little to obtain more precise information respecting these Ovens Diggings, as they are quite new, are 150 miles distant, and especially as five or six parties seem determined, go where we will, to follow in our wake. We hear from private sources, as well as from the newspapers, that they are yielding a most extraordinary quantity of gold; that it lies very near the surface; that there is plenty of good water there all the year round; and that it is a beautiful and healthy country. These diggings lie on the Sydney mail road, so that there are inns and stations all the way, at which we can procure necessary supplies. At the same time, as the distance is so much greater than to Mount Alexander and Bendigo, we hope that it will be a good while before there is that rush and crush there which are now over-whelming those earlier diggings. The alarming numbers which are pouring into the colonies from all countries and quarters are certain to produce much distress. They cannot all be supplied at once with food, except at a frightful price, in a country which produces nothing itself but meat and wool; and they will literally cover the present digging-grounds. In a while they will be extended; for there is no doubt but that the gold will be found far and wide.