THE GREY.

West Coast Times, Issue 32, 17 August 1865, Page 2

THE GREY.

(from ovb own correspondent.) August 15th, 1865. The past week has been a busy one for all on this' townsl.ip, and occurrences have confirmed the opinions formed, of our port being good one, our goldfields rich and extensive, and that the settlement is bound to become firmly established and prosperous. The first opinion was caused by the splendid style m which the Wallaby and Ly ttelton steamed over the b&r and up the river, discharged their cargoes, coaled, and departed again ; and the equally easy manner in which, on Friday last, the steamer Eleanor and four sailing vessels glided up the smooth waters of the Grey. The second opinion was formed by the quantities of gold purchasable immediately any bank agent puts in an appearance on the diggings ; the ready cash always forthcoming for goods taken to the miners, and by the grent distance from tho first rush, where men are obtaining payable gold. Two bank agents visited a portion of the diggings during the past week, one purchased 1233 ozs, and the other 600 ozs, in a couple of days, whilst a miner came to Greymouth with between thirty and forty ounces of gold which he had obtained some forty miles up the river, where ho said he had not seen a man besides his mates for three weeks. He purchased supplies and made off again to his old quarters. The third, by the public works now being pressed forward on the Nelson side of the river necessary for the traffic to and from the mines both of gold and coal. With a commendable zeal highly characteristic of the Nelson Government, the Superintendent of that Province has already accepted tenders for clearing the site of the new township of Cobden, pn the Nelson side, and invites tenders for bridging all the creeks between Cobden and the Twelve-mile, Nor does the manner of inviting tenders call for anything but praise from us, no simple notice stuck up against their office, or against a post near their office, in places where the smallest possible number of people may see it, but a copy of the specifications are sent across the river into the Canterbury Province, to Mr Waite's store, frequented by the largest number,. and open to all comers, is the plan adopted by our go-ahead neighbors. These are the works on which money collected on goldfields ought to bo spent, and I thoroughly agree with the subject of your leader in Saturday's issue, against * the waste of money which must ensue in establishing an escort overland to Christchurch. If money is accumulating, surely thero are a hundred directions in which justice to tho miners and traders indicates as the more necessary channels for its use. Thero is a fearful track to tho Greenstone from the Tercmakau, along which packers -j and miners have to make **vi« way in ?-. rawiWYwi 4 u»b"more description of which is enough to mako tho heae ache, when we know the number of times its disgraceful condition has been brought under tho notice of the proper authorities. And more, if money is at hand let a little of it bo spared for clearing the streets of this township of its timber, so as to let daylight in on tho buildings which enterprising men are erecting along the frontages, and clear a track from f.he east end of tho town to the beach at the iiead of the lagoon, which divides one portion of the community from tho other, and whereby two. miles of tho journey hence to Hokitika mny Ijo savo4, and the heavy tax of six shillings per week be taken off tho shoulders of business men, whioh is now poidi by them for crossing. Wo do not want these things

left for twelvemonths ; now is the time for the Government to put its shoulder" Id the wheel — noW that every man is investing heavily in building a town. Let some slight help be afforded to a struggling community, that their energies and capital may not be wasted. Another and still more pressing claim on the public funds lies in a want of more police protection here, as burglaries and worse deeds are so numerous as to intimidate many, and cause all to cry shame on the wisdom which pays a thousand pounds in prosecuting a criminal,- whilst a few hundredswill prevent a hundred thefts. I regret to say that, together with our prosperity, daring acts of robbery are almost of nightly occurrence, an enumeration of a- few of which may not be out of place. Green's store was cut open, and boots, candles, bacon and flour stolen, to the value of between £40 and £50. M'Farlane had a half chest of tea stolen. Coutts' iron store was burglariously entered, and between £50 and £60 worth of goods stolen. Harper had two 5 -gallon kegs of brandy stolen. Two tents belonging to poor men were walked off entire, and two other tents robbed of their contents. Besides these, Mr Cattle; the hotel keeper, was paid a visit by a couple of ruffians, who knocked over his candle before his eyes, stole a box of candles, and all the full bottles which stood on his bar counter. Now the whole of this has occurred within a very short space of time, and the only satisfaction (if any) for all this plunder is found in one man being committed for trial, and a journey td Christchurch for the witnesses and police; with what loss to the individual none can tell, but with what chance of a conviction of the prisoner we all may guess. This is a sad account to put on the debtor side of the ledger, when we know that one or two mere policemen ought to prevent all such doings. I hear men speak their indignation at the conduct of the Government in no measured terms; and as the Press is the only means for enlightening the heads of departments at Chris tchurch — and for which they ought to be' very thankful — I may as well out with an expression made -use of by a store- • keeper and a victim, who said that the Government were.a "lot of grasping beasts." I will now leave this subject for something more pleasant. The Bank of New Zealand has opened a banking house, the first on Greymouth ; and I may add that the establishment is hailed with great pleasure, as many business men had to sleep night after night with their cash, and carry about their persons all day, hundreds of pounds. Mr Waite's old store is used as a banking house temporarily. The Maoris have let all their land, and nearly every section fronting the river has some building erecting on it, or is occupied by tents. The next street, running parallel to Richmond Quay, is being rapidly occupied, and the place only requires a little Government aid in clearing the streets, to impart '* to Greymouth an imposing appearance., Cobden, on the other side of the river, 19 > already putting on a town-like look ; ' and of an evening quite a cheerful scenV presents itself, by the number of lighd*. reflected on the water. This is caused )<ty' people baling permitted to occupy downf y> t the water's edge ; whereas on the Cancer"--.'; bury side we have to keep back two phafjnß^ , for what reason we know not. j The steamer Eleanor leaves here /for; Nelson direct this day. , t ,