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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 16, 2 January 1863, Page 2

A gentlemen recently arrived from the Lake Wakatip diggings, reports that on the 23rd \dt., a rush set in to a new locality called the Moke or Moonlight diggings. At the time our informant left there were about 1500 men working; most of them doing remarkably well. One party worked out twenty-one pounds weight of gold ; the result of one day's washing on a bar. Another party of two, made forty ounces for one week's -work, and the prospects of all engaged were highly favourable. The gold is of a coarse nugget ty description. There is also a rush setting in to the head of the Lake, about forty miles from Mr. Hoes' home station, on the Greensto.o River. It is almost impossible to reach this place without boats : the latter being very scarce, owners are asking very high figures for freight and passage. There are no provisions on the ground. There are also several parties at work at tho Half-way IjH}', oh the west side of the Lake, but no accurate idea can be formed of their .success.

The first Southland escort arrived in town yestenlay afternoon, under the command of Sergeant Morton, bringing between 3, 000 and 4,0i)0 ozs. Sergeant Major Bracken, of the C)ta;;o police fon-e, rendered every assistance in his power towards the purchase of gold for the Southland escort. Wo may mention as a gratifying fact, that upwards of 3,000 ozs. was purchased in one week.

We learn that the Otago authorities have established a camp at the new diggings.

AW understand that Scrgt. Morten, -whilst on the gohlrields, was entrusted with large sums of money, i'nd creditably executed the orders entrusted tv him for the purchase of f,'oM.

The Ilaehelors' ball took place on Wednesday night hist. Jt was a success, but hardly as well patronised by ladies as the occasion deserved. The clerk of the weather was probably to blame.

An inquest on the body of Michael Ilodgings, was held on :51st nit., at the court

house, before W. G. M'Clure, Esq., coroner. John Thompson deposed that whilst coming into town on Tuesday last with a load of bricks, saw deceased riding on a draw De-

ceased in attempting to junij) offj caught liis foot in something and fell. Witness ran and stopped liis horses. The wheel of the dray rested on his body. When witness got to the leader's head the win. el had backed off the body. Pulled the man from under the dray ; he did not cry out. Deceased had been driving at a moderate pace. P>. M. Muiter deposed : I identify the. body I viewed this morning as that of Michael 1 lodgings, who was a servant in my employ since the 123 rd ; he was a sober man, accustomed to drive horses. Deceased was about forty years of age and married : he was a native of Ireland. Dr. Grigor sworn: I was called to visit a man who had been run over on the Dunedin ]?<>:id. I found him dead. I am of opinion that instantaneous deatli would be caused by dislocation of the neck ; the wheel of a dray passing over his body would he sufficient to cause death. Did not make a poxf mwfrw examination. The jury returned a verdict of "Death by falling off a dray." Notwithstanding all that has been said in reference to the jetty, its present state is simply disgraceful. The confusion appears rather to increase than diminish. Not only is it rendered almost impassable, in consequence of large quantities of timber and iron loosely strewn about, but the approach to it is so choked up with every description of merchandise, that unless active measures are at once taken serious accidents will inevitably occur We think the Government arc much to blame. Their attention lias been repeatedly drawn to this subject, and it appears nothing less than culpable neglect that the matter has not been attended to.

It will be Keen on reference to our advertising columns, that the sale of the Gladstone estate fthe property of T. J. White, Esq.), will take place, this day at two o'clock, p.m., at the Prince of Wales Hotel. From the increasing value of land and the close proxiaiity to town of the sections about to be submitted to inibhc competition, good prices may be anticipated.