THE WEST COAST.

North Otago Times, Volume IV, Issue 54, 2 March 1865, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WEST COAST.

The cutter Wild Wave arrived from the diggings on the 12th , inst. Captain Smith reports that at tho Grey he found great difficulty in unloading his vessel, as all the men had left for the new rush at Okitiki. On the whole the yield of Sold seems to l>e plentiful, the diguers all appearing to be satisfied. A township formed of wood and iron strictures is rapidly arising. The Bank of Kew Zealand was roblied of about £1400 ; this makes the second bank robbery. The inhabitants are loudly exclaiming against the apathy of the Canterbury Government, in not taking steps to organise proper means of protection for life and property; the police are unremitting in their exertions, but through their limited numbers they are powerless. Wages average 30s. a day, and Captain Smith was obliged to pay a lanre sum to the men who brought back his craft. He disposed of his cargo to great advantage, and proposes returning on the 24th inst., as he is chartered again. We hear that several vessels will be laid on loi the diggings im mediately. The new msh is an old river l>ed at Okitiki, about six miles from the river. Captain Smith has brought some samples of very superior coal from the Grey ; it is said to be used by the steamers in preference to Australian coal. There appears to be no lack of provisions, which are retailed at comparatively moderate prices flour fetching £35 per ton, ham Is. 6d, cheese Is. 2d, and fresh meat Is. The other articles are sold at proportionate prices. A jetty is in courre of erection by the Nelson Government, who arc deriving all the 1 enefit from the trade of the West Coas>t. The steamers Wallaby and Nelson trade regularly ; they bring passengers each time, but as a general rule, on arriving at the gold-fields, they are obliged to make the return trip short-handed. —

Lyttelton 'limes, 18th ult. Most of the nomadic population which has been inhabiting the banks of the Avon_beside the new drill shed for the last three or four months h-n e now taken their departure for the West Coast. The news continues to be of the most encouraging description. We were shown a letter the other day, by an old digger, in which the writer, who has been on the Teramakau for some time, gives a glowing description of his own success and ad\is< s his friend to make for the gold-fields at once. — Canterbury Standard. With reference to the new rush to the Okatiki, West Coast, the " Canterbury Press" says : — " 'J he exodus to the West Coast is already assuming a determined apnearance. On Saturday Cobb's coach for the north was crowded, and we ht-ar that to-day they intend running an extra one. The number leaving daily with the intention of tramping the distance is also considerable. Our Dunedin friends, ne^ei' backward when there is a chance of extending their trade, have laid on the steamer City of Dunedin to Nelson, and about sixty passengers proceeded by her from that port en route on Saturday. Punedin already enjoys the chief trade of Marlhorough diggings, and no doubt no efforts will be left untried to secure a fiim footing in the new El Dorado. Many of the firms tiading in Dunedin an. branches of Melbourne houses, and goods will be shipped from Melbourne direct to Hokitiki. We are glad to find thit some of our Clnistchurch merchants are bestirring themselves. Offers to charter were made on Saturday for cargo, and during the ensuing week we hope to seesufli ient goods shipped from Lyttelton to supply the wants of those of our population who have already migrated there."