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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 14, 3 October 1861, Page 6 (Supplement)

(From the Colonist, September 20.)

Tlie Escort arrived on 'Wednesday night, bringing 11,281 ounces cf gold. They report everything quiet at the Diggings, but a considerable number are said to be returning, from not being able to make enough for the purchase of food. -At the present prices of provisions it will take a considerable sum daily’ to supply one's wants at theTuapeka. The advance of summer, however, will no doubt be a means of greatly reducing the prices ; the roads arc rapidly improving, and cartage, which has hitherto been ±ll2 per ton from Dunedin, must consequently be reduced, mere especially as the arrivals from IN I elbourne will produce competition to a very considerable extent. Though some are not making enough to cover expenses, others continue to do well, and very few of those who went to the Diggings in the early days cf the discovery express dissatisfaction with the result of their ellbrls. Several of those who have come over from Melbourne are returning by the “Arabia ” and “ Alclinga ; " their reports may haven slight effect in clucking the rush from that quarter, and this is not at all to be regretted, as the arrivals are becoming almost too numerous for our present comfort and accommodation. We notice in the Melbourne Argus of September 11, that there are twenty-seven vessels advertised for Dunedin, and if this continues till the European rush sets in, we may expect the increase to our population in the next twelve month to be very large—so large as to produce difficulties and inconveniences at the least. .Already the now comers are pitching their tents in the streets for the night. On Sunday night last about two hundred, it is supposed, principally passengers from the “Aldinpa,” slept under their tents ; this may not havo been entirely from the impossibility of obtaining shelter, but perhaps partly to avoid being over-crowed, as they must have been in jiny house where they sought lodgiugs.