THE WEST COAST GOLD FIELDS.

Evening Post, Issue 148, 29 July 1865, Page 2

THE WEST COAST GOLD FIELDS.

t The following, respecting the Grey, is from the West Coast Tlmeß of the 19th instant i — Maori Gully, a tributary ot Maori Creek, is entirely occupied, but as yet little work has been done, owing to the late inclemency of the weather. The prospects v.»ry from one grain to half a pennyweight to the .dish. There is about five feet of gravel containing a little gold, but it will not pay to cradle more than two feet .from the bottom. Three other gullies have been rushed, but T cannot hear of any pros-* pecta being obtained larger than those I have named in Maori Gully. The diggers have not yet turned their attention to the terraces, which, from the appearances^ offer remuneration at a small wage for a large number of men. The size of claim, 72 feet per man, will induce many to settle down on poor ground, prefering a long job at from £4 to £6 a week to the uncertainty of finding and hardships to be indured in looking for a " pile." The high prices of provisions is a serious drawback to the prosperity of the district ; flour at the mouth of the creek' may be quoted at £5 ss. per 100 lb. bag ? bacon,, at 3s. 6d. per lb,, and other commodities at equally high rates. Fresh meat is not to be bought at any price, but I am glad to be able to state that this evil will shortly be remedied, as some runholders up the Grey are cutting a track to the rush, so that in a few weeks the maiket will be regularly supplied with fresh meat. Business sites are in great demand" at Blake Town; this hitherto quiet little place begins to assume all the appearance of a new rush, and certainly accomodation for travellers is much wanted ; not a bed isprocorable in the town. Mr. Commissioner Revel 1 has marked out another street adjoining the Maori Reserve, which seemsto be the favorite street, as it fronts the river where vessels generally discharge. July 17, 1865. I am glad to be able to report a marked improvement (since my last of the 12tb instant) in the yield of gold from Maori Creek ; no doubt owing to the sharp frosty weather we have experienced for the past week, thereby enabling the miners to get into their ground and work in a systematic manner. Many claims that were only expected, from tin dish prospects, to pay small wages, have,, now that the groundis opened given no less than from £10 to £12 a week per man. Sluicing is in its infancy here, most claimholders are now cutting out boxes, so that when the cradle is thrown aside for the sluice-box, I hesitate not in saying that much larger dividends will be obtained-. The neighborhood of Maori Creek abounds in small gullies, many of which are being profitably worked, scarcely any of them but will pay £2 or £3 a week per man clear of all tucker and working expenses. I have been informed that a small terrace in Maori Gully, containing two men's ground, is remarkably rich. There is a depth of eight feet of wash dirt, all through which gold can be easily discerned; report affirms- a pound weight a day i 9 the average of each man's share, but I cannot vouch for the authenticity of this assertion. Last Wednesday, a miner, glorying inthe euphonious cognomen of " Red Jack," opened a gully over the saddle, which was immediately rushed by a large number of men. I have not yet been able to learn a correct account of the prospects, but ia ! Maori Creek it is reported as the best gully yet opened.

The rush doee not seem to abate, but rather to increase if anything. A very Small portion, for the number that have jbne up the 'gully, have returned, and few freak of it as a duffer. Mostly, all agree in calling it a poor man's diggings, and express San opinion that in the summer a large payable goldfield will be opened in the neighborhood of the Grey.