OKARITA.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 243, 18 April 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

OKARITA.

We glean the following items of interest from the Okarita Times, 2Sth TMarch : —

The still exciting topic is the Bruce Bay rush. In no parts of the colonies has a more perfect " rush," in every sense of the word, taken place, than has occurred here. The number of persons who have wended their way to the new field is variously estimated, but taking a moderate view, not less than two thousand men have gone from this district by land and sea. As yet, of course we are quite in the dark as to the value of the discovery, but we may candidly state that there can be little doubt of some good ground being opened. At the same time it is perfectly certain that already the place is overdone, and cannot support the population now there, and that will shortly go there. Business sites in the Bruce township have already attained a monstrous price, and sections have changed hands at from £30 to £120. The usual fever of excitement has set in. The official description of the locality copied in our last issue was partially incorrect. It stated, that the diggings were the Waitemati river, whereas it appears that the proper name for the stream in question is the Oinamaka. Bruce Bay is exactly seven miles from it on the south. The latter has no dangerous bluii intervening, but the bush is veiy den-se, and it will be very expensive to cut a track. ■ At the present time the greatest turmoil, confusion, and riot may be naturally looked for at the new goldfield. There are no police, no local authority oi* any kind, no warden, no post-office, nothing in facfc, and complei-e anarchy, unless averted by the sound sense of the main body of the diggers, must prevail. Having given so much to Bruce Bay, we may revert to Oakarita, and are glad to say, that though the numbers that are gone are sadly missed, no sign of despondency is visible amongst; us. Indeed there is no reason for such a felling, inasmuch as our own circumstances are brightening very materially. It has long been known that gold existed in the ranges, but during the past few days small parcels of rough gold have come to hand, got inland, and within a few miles of this place. With the exception of the uneasy feeling consequent on the rush that, has unsettled the miners, and the -suspense arising out

of the fact of new ground having been found in the neighborhood, that as yet is undivulged, we have not much minium news to offer. The northern rush haa proved a confessed failure, or rather the portion of the beach tested bas not answered the expectations. At the EiveMile a change has taken place in the numbers seen around. Only a short time ago scores of waiters on TProvidence might •be seen hanging about, but now, with the exception of those busily engaged in work not a soul is visible, and an idler is a rarity. The consequence is, that men being scarce, wages have advanced, and plenty of employment is still open. The yields are as good if not better than ever, and the rich claims are almost excelling themselves. We had in our hands a parcel of 216 ounces got by a party of four from the second terrace. They only lauded here about three weeks a^o, and a week dr more was occupied in making preparations for a start.