WEST COAST GOLD-FIELDS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 28, 6 April 1866, Page 2

WEST COAST GOLD-FIELDS.

BRUCE BAY RUSH. The rush has broken up as we stated in our issue of Tuesday last, after a most disgraceful riot. We have received by the Wonga, Hokitika papers to the 3rd April, from which we extract the following particulars : — Ou Monday last all the miners encamped at Bruce Bay were impatiently awaiting the arrival of Hunt. Shortly after dinner he arrived, escorted by a formidable body guard. A consultation was held as to proceeding in search of the new discovery. It was eventually decided in the affirmative, and the entire population started for the Bluff at' the south of Bruce Bay. The bluff offers some difficulties in rounding it, as no horse can cross it at all, so provisions must be swagged. After passiugthis bluff and resting awhile, the imihense body of men proceeded along the beach for the next, fiye miles to th.c. river

,P_keriki. This was forded in capital style, and the digger-army encamped for the night. Next morning after breakfast a start again was effected. The miners imagined that the course would be along the bank of the river, but Hunt suddenly turned into the bush. A scene then ensued, which baffled description ; a rush was made for Hunt's track, but owing to the presence of scrub and supplejack, hundreds came to grief. Nothing could be seen but boots sticking out of a net of supplejack — their owners struggling furiously to extricate themselves ; while yells, shouts, aud execrations on supplejack rent the air. The entire distance through the bash was of the same character, and the pace kept up was so tremendous that many a stalwart man fell down exhausted. After three or four miles travelling, the miners came to the camp of the well-known Bill Fox, who was on the lookout for Hunt. Here a short lull was made. Having again started, heavy rain commenced, yet tremendous speed was kept up. Two more miles were made, when a halt was called, as everyone was exhausted. The race was soon resumed, after travelling a few hundred yards a creek, full of large granite boulders, was reached ; when suddenly the cry arose, " Hunt is gone," all were at ouce brought to a standstill in the soaking rain. Curses loud and deep were vented on Hunt. Hour after hour passed, and as Hunt did not return it was determined to camp on the spot, which they did ; although the majority were without either tents or blankets. Hunt not having been found the whole body returned to Bruce Bay on Friday, vowing vengeance against him ; and up to Saturday night all attempts to discover either him or the ground indicated, had resulted in failure. On Saturday night " Dublin Jack " and the Maoris returned to the Bay unsuccessful, .although they very nearly succeeded in capturing him, as they brought in with them his shirt aud blanket. It is feared that several miners have perished in the bush, as oue man is known to be missing, and also that he is totally unprovided with food and shelter, save such as the forest may afford him. Two more unfortunates were left behind by mates who were too much exhausted themselves to aid them further. One of these men had unfortunately fallen and broken his leg, and the other had, through over-exertion, burst a bloodvessel. The belief is rapidly gaining ground amongst' the diggers that Hunt has perpetrated a cruel and dariug hoax upon them iv retaliation for ihe treatment he received when on the Greenstone. A party of men went into the store of Mr. Ecclesfield under the pretence of purchasing goods when suddenly a mob of rascals rushed in and comineuced a wholesale plunder of its contents. They were evidently not driven to such a course by hunger, as their seizures were confined to the liquor the establishment contained, every drop of which they abstracted and handed to the larger mob collected outside. They next proceeded to several smaller stores and shanties, which they served in a similar manner. On arriving at/Brennan and Brave's store they made free with the preserved and dried meats, besides clearing it of every kind of liquor. Every thing of value was carried off, including two small bags containing 40 ounces of gold dust. They . next attacked Beattie's store which they completly demolished, then proceeded to the store formerly kept by the late Mr. Schernclow, but the proprietor being now aware of what was going on, armed himself with a double barrelled gun, and with the help of about forty of his friends kept the herd of rioters at bay. The tenement owned by Mr. T. Smith, next attracted their attention, and short work was made of its contents, everything they could lay their hands on beiug carried off or demolished on the spot. During the whole of Friday night, the most disgraceful orgies were carried on, the town presenting a scene of drunkenness, dissipatiou, and rioting that baffles description. On the following morning a repetition of last night's scene was anticipated : but Mr. Warden Price had, in the meantime, taken such active measures to restore order, by swearing in a number of special constables, that the plundering scoun.dr.els were, kept at bay.;