WEST COAST NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 77, 4 June 1866, Page 2

WEST COAST NEWS.

The West Coast Times gives the particulars a fatal affray which took place at Hokitika. on Tuesday the 22iid May, it appears that between 12 and 1 o'clock, five miners ■were proceeding up Revell-street, and when opposite the Queenstowu Hotel they stopped and demanded admittance. As they were rather noisy, Mr. Bracken, who with his brother was in the bar, refused to open the door, and ordered them off several times, but with no effect, as they set work aud burst open the door. 2,1r. Bracken then ordered them out, and threatened to fire upon them in case of refusal, at the same time presenting a gun. Upon this a meleo took place, and Conuell was struck down by a blow on the head from the butt end of the weapon used by Mr. Bracken. This was so severe that he at once was rendered senseless, and remained in a state of coma until half-past one on Wednesday last, when he died. The JFest Coast Times of 22nd May says: — A fatal accident occurred yesterday on the Ilauhau diggings. Whilst two men were engaged in felling a very large tree near the Blue Spur, in tho vicinity of Singer aud Wcddy's public-house on Three-Mile, the tree Avheu about to desceed, was seen to sway in an. opposite direction to the oue they intended, and was likely to destroy their tent. The deceased thoughtlessly rushed into the tent to free a valuable clog he had chained there, and while emerging with the animal in his arms a large limb of the falling tree struck him on the head, completely crushing it, and killing him on the spot, as well as the dog. which lie still retained iu his arms. It lias often surprised us that the diggersshould not make a more systematic examiuation of the ground on the north bank of the Grey, beyond the coal mine. Wo now learn that several miners have struck payable ground opposite the Twelve-Mile, and that the gold is coarse and indicative of quartz reefs being not far off. — G. R. Argus, May 26.