LOCAL AND MINING.

West Coast Times, Issue 42, 9 September 1865, Page 2

LOCAL AND MINING.

Tho Maid of the Yurra and Wallaby took thoir departure by Thursday's tide. There was an oxcellent " bar," and both vessels crossed without mis^ hap. Tho Maid took the lead by way of tho old channel, round the spit end, but Ciptain Whitwoll mado a short cut, going through the now ono by tho signal-station, this being tho first tim<3 tho passage has been taken by any craft save a whalo boat.

As there seems a probality of this rainy weather continuing we would humbly suggest that a punt bo provided for tho convenience of the numerous pedestrians who frequent Revell-strcot, nnd who aro obliged to cross that ornamental piece of water opposite tho Camp. We would ixUo suggest to littlo boys who may hereafter think proper to follow tho examplo set them by tboso juveniles, who, tho other day, partly drained the horse pond, the advisability of putting in a small culvert in tho footpath, the constant tr.iffio having completely filled up the former gutter that for tho timo being did us suoh good service. We should not bo at all surprised, after n heavy night's rain, to hear of a man being found drowned in this gigantic puddle.

The ketch Lloyd's Herald loft tho wharf on Thursday morning with the intention of proceeding to sea direct. She crossed tho bar in safely, nnd hnd almost cleared tho break, when tho wind died away, and a fow extra sized rollers coming in just at the time, tho unhappy oiuct was first slued broadside on, tho noxL halt' swamped hor, the third hovo her on tho south spit, nnd the fourth washed hor off into tho channel. Captain Crabb acoopted thi3 ratlur Hibernian hint us a token he wns to stay anothor day or two, and made tho best of his way up the river again. Tho troubles of this bravo little craft don't seem to be yet over. The Fates wore extremely adverse to her entering our river, nnd now seem disinclined to permit her to depart. nThe papora by every mail continue to spoak of the excitement prevailing at every town in Now Zea land respecting the West Coast goldfiolds, which havo also placed the veteran diggers of Australia on tho gui vivo. The last, advices from Nelson ntate — " The city during tho last few days him been full of diggers, arrived here en routo for the West Coast. The demand for passages both by stcamora and sail, ing vessels has been very greit, 'jut a considerable number have taken tho road, and with the pvosont fino weatlior tho journey is not an arduous ono. "

What may happen to passengers bound to this port through being half an hour late on tido, was disagreeably exemplified on ThursiUy morning. The steamer Bruce had benn for several diya lyin,<in tho roadstead in readiness to lighter any vessel that should requiro her services, and tho Lady Dirling being tho first to arrive off our poit, the Bruco run alongside of her to receivo passengors and oargo, Tho Truly Darling not being at anchor drifted far to tho southward, whilst tho disembarkation was taking place, tho departure of tho Bruco being delayed until the last moment, and the distance between the Lady Darling and the cntranco being grcator tlr.in was at fust supposed, sho' found, on her arrival off the bar, tho signal of ebb tide flying, and had to roturn to tlio Darling and discharge part of her living freight, tho foinales nnd children remaining on board of hor, every comfort boing afforded them as such untoward circumstances permitted. Wo Binceroly regret silch a disagrccublo contretemps should havo occtlrrod, and heartily welcome them to our shores, tho Bruco arriviug safely at tho wharf yesterday morning.

Yesterday, the Bishop of Christchilroh, who has been expected for a week or two, arrivod by tho overland routo. Wo understand tho ltev. Mr' Hurpot 1 , Wesleyaii minister here, ha* given up tuo Corinthian Hall to tho loverond gontlemtn, who will onduct dmno nervioo in it on SnuiUy next, at 11 a.m. aud '( p.m.

The inroads of tho river on the bank at tho end of Itsvell street have become bo serious that, after a fruitless appeal to the Government, the inhabitants possessing properly near tho river have lesolved to take tho matter in hand themselves, to save their houses from certain destruction. After a day's collection thesum subscribed amounted to about LIOOO, and there is little doubt that this necessary wo.-k will be carried out at hint. A meeting on tho subject will be held this evening nt tho Corinthian Hall, when we trust to see a large attendance.

Humors of a very exciting character aro afloat in reference to tho discovery of an alleged new goldfield about ninety miles to tho southward of Hokitika. We aro unable to furnish our readers with any definite particulars ; but may observe that from the vague hints conveyed to us, there is every prospect of a good rush taking place somo distance to the southward,

Another fino schooner has come to grief in the channel. The Dancing Wave, from Dunedin, with a full cargo on board attempted to enter yesterday morning. Wind nnd tide were in her favor until she got into the break, when the breeze failed her, and although she crossed the bar Rifely, the freshet, on her getting abreast of the Lconidas, proved too strong, sweeping her round and casting her ashore oloso to tho above vessel. We do not by any moans consider her a wreck, as there seems every prob ibility of her getting off in a tide or two, after the process of lightering her has been effected.

Wo have been supplied with the following particulars rolativo to tho Into robbery at tin Grey of Mr Walmslcy, of tho Rank of New South W.xle.i. It appears that on Monday morning last ho left No Town on horseback, accompanied by a paokor, carrying between them IC2I oz of gold, Walmsley having in his possession, besides his share of tho dust, LIOOO in notes. When within two miles of the Twelve-mile, in turning a corner of tho road, tho packer, who was some distance in advanco, was suddeuly a33ailed by four men, one of whom, armed with a double barrelled gun, made a rush ftt his hoi se's bead; fortunately, however, a supple jack tripped him, and he foil, which circumstance tho packer turned to account by pulling spurs to his horso and escaping. Two or throe minutes afterwards Mr Wabnsley came up, and the villains having by this time collected themselves rushed him unawares, nnd before he could draw his revolver, caught his foot and throw him off his horse. They then bound him hand and foot, and having possessed themselves of the treasure lie had in charge, made off into tho bush. Mr Walmslcy remained in thio unpleasant predicament until tho arrival of some tr.i' vellers who released him, and he, as soon as possiblegave information of what had happened. The agont for tho Union Bank had a remarkably narrow escij-o, ho having passed tho same way with a largo parcel of gold only a quarter of an hour previously. We learn that four men have since been arreßtcd at the Grey on suspioion.