HOKITIKA.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 241, 13 April 1866, Page 2

HOKITIKA.

The Hokitika correspondent to the Press, writes : — " The mining news for the week is very important, but the result is decidedly unsatisiactory. Albert Hunt, the original prospector of the West Coast, who received the bonus of £200 in recognition of his services from the Provincial Council of . Canterbury, has been some time in the neighborhood of Bruce Bay prospecting ; many miners, who were* aware of this, were awaiting his return and opinion. In the beginning of last week he returned to Okarita, and after some little delay, applied to the Warden for a prospecting claim. Such was his reputation, that upon his application .being granted, and the locality described, hundreds started ' for the golden spot, although Hunt declared that it would not support more than two hundred men. . . . . The consequence is the rush is a dead failure, not a speck of gold having been found. • Mr Commissioner Sale, I understand, instructed Mr Warden Price to proceed to Bruce Bay officially, and act until further orders. Mr Price was greeted on his arrival with a most unenviable reception ; the infuriated mob went so far as to threaten to do him bodily harm ; they contented themselves, however, with breaking into the stores and doing damage to the extent of upwaids of a thousand pounds. The population at Bruce Bay is estimated at 3000 people ; all these have poured in in about two or three days. »