NOKOMAI.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 67, 2 November 1864, Page 3

NOKOMAI.

Ist November. On Friday evening, the 28th ultimo, this township was visited by a most severe gale of wind, ■which lasted without intermission throughout the whole night. There was hardly a place that _did not suffer some material damage. The verandah of Messrs. M'Beath and Co.'s store was blown to shreds, the roof of Mr. Kennedy's large billiard room completely blown away, whilst numerous chimneys had their tops blown down, and the damage done to the calico of the various tents was; very great. From about one o'clock in the morning the whole place was alive with the occupants of the stores and tents, busily engaged frith hammers and tacks, -with the usual lantern — a candle: in a bottle (held by some friend or assistant)—in repairing the damage, or endeavoring to prevent further; in fact there was no sleep for any one that night. ■ Yesterday morning several of the storekeepers and miners proceeded to Queenstown, being subpoeaned by the Crown to give evidence in the late assault on Constable Daly. ■ In the Wakatip Mail of the 26th ult., there appears an advertisement of " Wanted a Bank," apply to the people of the Nokomai. Now this is simply absurd. No bank is wanted, but a gold office is, and should one of the banks start one, the credit would be due to the Time8 t for more than a fortnight before the said advertisement appeared, this subject was prominently brought forward by you before the bankers of InvercargUl. All I know is that the branch banks at Queenstown " don't pay," and I am sure no bank would pay here, with a population of about 600 or thereaway. But again, a bank gold office would, and such a one as the banks in Victoria are in the habit of erecting on the various rushes there, could be erected here for about £30 at the outside. In mining matters tilings remain about the same. Some of the claims up creek have bottomed, with various fortune. Where gold has been got, however, it is payable, and these claims bear . a fair proportion; :j to the less fortunate holders. Some few parties have left for the Nevis, where a new rush haa been reported j but we are receiving daily fresh additions to our population; Mr. Warden Wood estimates this at 703, (I don't know how ho arriveß at the odd three) but I am inclined to think it is ratherin excess. Itmay not be, however, as the diggings are greatly scattered, and the district ; very large. ; This gentleman ,is (strangely for a warden) justly popular and respected both in his public and private character. , : : „.,;.