From Western Post & Mudgee Newspaper, 25 December 1861: NEVILLE'S DIGGINGS, Dec. 22 These diggings are situated about four miles from Rylstone. I yesterday paid a visit to them, and found several parties at work; some sinking and others washing. I was shown a very fine sample of gold obtained by Messrs HAMILTON, Brothers, probably about 3 ozs., which they had obtained this week; not so bad for a party of four. I have not the slightest doubt that the good payable ground is here in abundance; we only want population here to develop it. Mr HAMILTON assured me that when he first came he made a pound a day for the first week; he then went for his brother, and they have since been making 15s per day. I feel quite assured of the truth of his statement, for Mr HAMILTON is not a man to speak lightly about such a matter. Mr. NEVILLE has very kindly thrown the ground open to all comers without any fee; there is an abundance of water, and the sinking is very shallow. More ground is to be thrown open on the first of January on Mr. T. NEVILLE's estate at Crooked C! orner; I feel confident that if diggers will only come and try they will not be disappointed in getting a very fair return for their trouble. I will let you know further about them. BIBLE SOCIETY A meeting of the Committee was held at the depot on Friday evening. Mr John DICKSON in the chair. The Rev. Thomas ANGWIN read a circular received from the secretary in Sydney, requesting donations towards the new hall lately erected; letters were likewise read respecting a fresh supply of bibles. The time for holding the next public meeting was discussed; no decision was come to, in consequence of the gentlemen forming the deputation form England, being in Victoria. Mr John DICKSON and Mr. HOWARTH agreed to receive donations towards the hall. Persons requiring bibles are informed that they can obtain them at the depot under cost price. THE BUSHRANGERS who made the late attack upon Mr. KERR of Denison Town, as they were retreating, stole a horse from a party who were driving a mob of fat cattle, belonging to Mr. P HARFORD, of the Merri Merri Creek, to Mudgee. The party who had charge of the cattle were camped near Slapdash, and the missing horse was hobbled and feeding close at hand. A blackfellow belonging to the drovers, saw the bushrangers and spoke to them a few minutes previously. As soon as the horse was missed, the blackfellow finding the tracks, started on horseback, in company with a lad. After riding several miles, they gave up the pursuit being afraid to go further on account of having seen the three men armed with revolvers. LAND AGENTS under the new Land Bills:- Cassilis, J MORRIS; Coonabarabran, C J PEGUS; Dubbo, G SPRING; Mudgee, G WARBURTON; Orange, W T EVANS; Tambaroora, J COX; Wellington, H D DUNLOP; Windeyer, J MURPHY. Tuesday in each week has been fixed as the Land Office day, the hours of attendance to be from 10 to 4 o'clock. ***END*** N.B. All care has been taken to transcribe the above accurately, however errors may have been inadvertently made. Spelling of names/places should be as appears in original. Transcribed from microfilm available from the State Library. Annette Piper Coolah NSW