CANTERBURY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 251, 12 April 1865, Page 3

CANTERBURY.

THE WEST COAST DIGGINGS. (From the Canterbury Press, March 30) We publish to-day our first letter from our correspondent at the Okitiki, from whom we hope to receive regular reports in future. The description of the town of Okitiki is more like a tale in the “ Arabian Nights” than anything els.-. The West Coast gold-field differs from all others in this respect, that the country in which it is situated was a 'few. months, ago one of the least known in the world, and regarded as the most impracticable. In a very short time the Okitiki will be one of the most important places in the Middle Island:—

Okitiki, March, 1865. . I am unable to send any reliable information from the different goldfields, tny Stay here being so short,-and no-news having come from there of a reliable nature. I send what items I have been able to collect. From the Six-mile the reports have been good and bad. The bad reports come from a number of men that only went to have a look at the diggings ; in other’ words, the difficulties they had to contend against frightened them away after a few days, and, in many cases, turned back before they got to the goldfield | while, on the other hand, it is well known that the practical miner is doing well. Jf such was not the ctse tho hundreds of men that are here this six months, and some twice that length, would not remain one hour longer than could be avoided, as this is not a very enticing part of the country. It was only last night that I heard from an old miner that had been here this last twelve months, that it is as good a goldfield as any lie worked on, and in some cases belter, as the gold was better distributed.

The Okitiki township is as large as many I have seen in Victoria, and presents all the appearance and activity ot a thriving place. It is increased in size every day. The main street cannot be less than half a mile in length, and is from early morning till night one continual bustle with “ packers” and bullock drays, loading for the different diggings, and buildings going up in all directions, from the substantial merchant’s store down to (he “johnny-all sorts.” There are at present a|)Q«t twenty.public-houses and “ grogshanties,” besides dining rooms, billiard-rooms, bakers, butchers, and a host of others too numerous to mention.

There is a large police force here now, and net before it was wanted, as there lias been any amount of “jumping” business sites. The Government staff have also arrived, and I bear the first Police Court will be opened in a few davs. Some of the roads are almost impassable from the late rains.

Ihe following is a list of prices of some cf the principal things Flour, fid per lb.; and the large loaf is sold at 3s ; tea, ds per lb. ; sugar, 9d per lb. afresh meat (when it can bo had)! Is fid per lb.: bacon, from Is fid to 2s per lb. ; cheese, from 2s to 2s 2d per lb. ; sardines (largo boxes) and other fresh .fish, 3s per tin. - During the week about ten vessels arrived, among them the Mount Alexandra, schooner, 130 passengers; Dancing Wave, schooner, cargo and 1-1 passengers ; Eclipse, schooner, 150 passengers; Wild Wave, schooner, cargo and passengers ; Nelson, steamer, passengers and cargo. The steamer Storm Bird and schooner Svlph both struct) on the bar; the latter got off,’but drifted ashore again, and is to be sold by public auction. 'The former is still on the bar, with little prospect of getting off.

Nominated Scpebixtendekts. A meeting called by Mr Ollivier as one of the representatives of the city of Christchurch, was held in the Town Ilall last night, for the purpose of considering the Nominated Superintendents’ Bill proposed by Mr Fitz Gerald in ihe General Assembly. J. C. Wilson, Esq., C. 8., as member for Christchurch was, in the unavoidable absence of Mr. Luck, called to the chair. The hall was crowded, and those present listened with the utmost attention to the statement of the case as laid before them by Mr Ollivier, who went at considerably length and with great ability into the question. Mr Ollivier concluded by proposing the adoption of a petition to the General Assembly against any alteration in the mode of election of Superintendent. The members of Assembly present, viz., Messrs Ward, Thomson, and Wilson, were called on to express (heir opinions, and severally declared iii favor of the memorial. The meeting was also addressed at length by Messrs. Wakefield, Tcmplcr, and Vincent, and a unariimons show of hands was given for the resolution.— April 4.