WEST COAST GOLD-FIELDS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 1, 5 March 1866, Page 4

WEST COAST GOLD-FIELDS.

By tke 'Kennedy,' which arrived on 'the 3rd, we received papers to the 2nd instant ; wa extract the following: — OkJlrita. — The rush is setting in steadily; every available steamer bringing,, passengers. Although the rush is excessive, no palpable increase has taken place im the population of the town, as the new arrivals start immediately for the new rushes. News has arrived that -fresh ground has been discovered by some miners at the back of the lagoon ; they are supplied with provisions by a boatman. Wo one has' succeeded in finding them, in spite of the close watch set upon that individual. Much disappointment was occasioned by the failure of the Cook's River rush, which is considered to have been a sell; we have not heard of one payable claim having been found there. The ground lately opened at the back of the Five-mile Beach is about the best, and, if accounts be true, some of the lucky ones will realise very heavy piles. It is said that the place will support 1,500 miners, and that in some of the best claims gold is being got ia handfuls, but there is no room for new-comers. Nothing new is heard from either Jackson's or Bruce Bay. The Kanieri. — Mining here is rapidly assuming a most satisfactory aspect. The Star Pumping Company have fairly commenced work, and are now busily employed bottoming the engine shaft. The engine itself works admirably, and no difficulty is experienced in keeping up steam with wood alone for fuel. Another company, the site of whose operations will be the same flat, gave notice of registration on Monday, under the name of "The Wesfcland Steam Drainage Company." Their plant is by far the heaviest, and their undertaking promises to be the most extensive on. the Kanieri. From the other works northward to the G-rey, satisfactory accounts reach us, all of them being fully occupied and if their yields cannot vie with Okarita they yet yield remunerative wages. The Grey. — The ground most in favor at the Grey is the Seventeen-mile, to the north of Point Elizabeth. We are informed that this diggings extends for eight miles inland from the beach, and consists of a number of terraces, all more or less auriferous. — West Coast Times. The Electric Telegraph. — We are sorry to be unable to announce that the Telegraph line is opened in time for our first publication. The contract for fixing the posts and wires was to have been completed on Saturday last ; a few remain unfixed this morning. We understand the wires are broken between Nelson and Picton. A few hours will suffice for the fixing of the posts, and we trust that in a few days Nelson will be in telegraphic communication with the Bluff, and the intermediate provinces. Export of Gold from the Port of Hoki-, tika, for the month of February, 1866. — 42,391 ounces; estimated value, £170,267 ; payiug duty £5,298 19s. sd. These figures do not., include the export of gold from the Vport of Greymouth. — West Coast Times, March 2.