“The Press” In 1866

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31113, 16 July 1966, Page 14

“The Press” In 1866

We extract the following from the “Observer”, of the 7th inst.:—The produce of the diggings in the neighborhood of Okarita continues to be most satisfactory. Notwithstanding the unfavourable season of the year it is steadily increasing in amount, and the character of several parcels recently disposed of indicates that the miners are gradually betaking themselves to the ranges, and meeting with no indifferent reward. It was only on Monday last that the two banks forwarded to Hokitika upwards of 2000 ounces. Before the return of the Bruce an equal quantity was in hand, and she sailed on Thursday with an addition to the export of 3500 ounces. There is no doubt, also, that considerable quantities leave in private

hands. We know of one party alone who refused to sell here a parcel of 600 ounces, and there are, no doubt, many who depart with smaller quantities, unsold or unrecorded on the steamer’s manifest Several of those parties who did sell were able to dispose of very large parcels. From one party alone, Mr Carr, of the Bank of New South Wales, bought 800 ounces of beach gold, and among passengers by the Bruce recently there were several who must have been at work in regular “pile” claims. Of rough gold, parcels have been brought in, both from the northward and southward of Okarita. . . . With those and other proofs of the auriferous character of the interior, there is little doubt that, in a short time, the ranges or the creeks of the neighborhood will be more regularly wrought.