CANTERBURY.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 31, 11 August 1864, Page 3

CANTERBURY.

The news brought.by Mr. Revell regarding the discovery of a new gold district on the West Coast, has been confirmed by a letter received from a Mr. Hunt, and addressed to His Honor the Superintendent. The letter runs as follows: — . "July 15,1864 " Sib, —l have been on the West Coast since the 15th April, prospecting the Hohonu, aa far as Perounui, and several gullies running -into the Big Hohonu Bayer; and found payable gold for five miles on the Hohonu. 1 'can get. the color at any place ; the prospects are from half a pennyweight to three pennyweights to the dish. I have got about thirty-eighfc ounces of gold; a party of four make about £150 per week on the banks of the river- I tried a hole and went down seven feet, and got about a pennyweight to the dish, but could not bottom, the water coming in too fast. There is room for a large population #***•* The road is very rough. There is plenty of splendid timber. There are no wild pigs, but diggers ought to fetch a gun and plenty of ammunition. : " I have been on the Australian and Ot&go diggings. There are no provisions here ; I have been living on " spuds " most of the time. " I remain, yours, obediently, "Albbrt Hunt. " To His Honor Mr. Bealy." The Press of the 6th inst. has a leading article on the " Canterbury Goldfields," in reference to Mr. Hunt's letter. The opening remarks are as follows: —" The letter which, we publish below from Mr. Hunt, confirms the news brought over by Mr. Kevel a few days ago, as to the fact of there being a good paying goldfield in the Province oi Canterbury. There' seems now to be no doubt aa to the fact, and a rush of some magnitude may be looked upon with tolerable certainty in tho spring —that is, in about two months. The occasion is demanding the utmost exertion on the part of the Government." A further reference to these discoveries wilj be found under the head of " Nelson " intelligence. The Press, of 15th inst., containß an account of the Canterbury Steeplechase, which does not appear to have been much of a euacess. The leading horses wera Mr. W. H. Percivals eh m Jessie, 5 yrs (Jannaway) 1 Mr. ■ Oake's b g Joe Buggins, aged (Hythe) 2