WEST COAST GOLD FIELDS. (From the Correspondent of the Canterbury Press.) Hokitika, 11th September.

Evening Post, Issue 191, 18 September 1865, Page 2

WEST COAST GOLD FIELDS. (From the Correspondent of the Canterbury Press.) Hokitika, 11th September.

A busy and prosperous week has just ended for this city, andi to-day opens bright and fair, and heralds su icess to the miners for the ensiling one. Tli c new channel at the entrance of the river is io good that sailing vessels and steamers hav^ entered with safety, and in consequence the famine which seemed approaching with giant {strides, had the entrance still remained closed, haa faded away into the dim future. v; The Leouidas, from Melbourne, and the Dancing Wave, f torn the vHeathcote. were the only unfortunates in the fleet, having both stranded on the north aide of the river, where they have been compelled to discharge their cargoes. It is, however, not anticipated that any injury wiJl be sustained by either craft further than the loss that will necessarily accrue from detention. We hear but little of the diggings on the Arnold and Grey, but there is no doubi that a steady, settled population is located there, by whom general satisfaction as to the amount of gold getting i 8 expressed. Our southern diggings, towards the Totarn,. are deserving of more especial notice, as from all I can gather, no similar ones have been, discovered in New Zealand. The yield, per man, is considerably above the average of some of the richest fields in Victoria, and. from individual instances of success which have come under my immediate notice, I may safely recommend any one who is anxious to try his fortune to- go there without delay. Two pounds weight per day among three men, working only with a e?adle, is not an uncommon thing ; and I know also a claim which I have no reason to believe an exception, washing with ten feet of dirt, onepennyweight to the dish, > I think most people will agree with mo ift>

saying;' that this is something like what it qugjit to be, and if Canterbury people wish to take advantage of the chances now at their door, they should visit m forthwith, before the heavy rush sets in from Victoria and the other colonies. Amongst others visiting us, per overland route, I observe the Bishop of the Dioceae, and Mr. Louis, the barrister.