BRUCE BAY.

West Coast Times, Issue 54, 7 October 1865, Page 2

BRUCE BAY.

(BY OUR SPECIAL BEFOItTEB.)

Our journey to this port, on board of the "William Miskin," will be long remembered by many as a tedious and disagreeable one. After a delay of two days, stuck in the Hokitika river, they wero compelled to tranship the coals and passengers to tho " Eleanor," after which we were enabled to cross tho bar, accompanied by the " Eleanor." After reshipping about half of tho coals, they wero compelled to part company, and anchor, as the sea became too rough to continue here. Wo spent a miserable hight ; the stench and disagreeable odour from the over-crowded hold of a naturally ill-ventilated and unclean steamer was sickening in tho extremo. The nausea of sea-sickness is trying in itself, but when it is aggravated by neglect and carelessness on the part of tho officers in neglecting to provide lights and, generally, trying to secure comfort for tho passengers, they deserve censure. After remaining to finish the transhipment of the coals, we steamed south about 1 p.m., and, after passing another disagreeable night, we succeeded in arriving in this port about 12 o'clock the following day. Bruce Bay is a small indentation in the land, and is protected from the south by a lending range which runs east and west, and comes to an abrupt termination on tho sea shore, along tho foot of which immense washed boulders form the beach. The water in the bay to within 300 yards of tho shore is 6 fathoms, and, although the captain was informed of the fact by Mr. McGregor, of the " Heather Bell," who was anchored there, and also by Captain Beveridgo, who came from shore to land the passengers, he, through timidity or stupidity, lay at a distance of half a mile ; tho folly of , this soon became apparent, as. the steamer's boats were useless, and theiartding solely depended on Captain Beveridge's boat, which was managed in an admirable manner by him. A second boat, owned by boatmen from Ilokitika, who had thoir pas sago free in consideration of, their services in landing the " Miskin's" passengers, unfortunately, oh their first trip, upset in the breakers, and had it not been for the temperate character of the Bea at the time, another accident of a similar kind to that which occured to the " Lady Darling's" boat would have occurred. Tho government boat, an unwieldy and heavy article, was, after some delay and difficulty, launched, and was useful in picking up one of tho unfortunates. A number of men, amongst whom I noticed, Mr. Sale, rushed into the breakers, and succeeded in bringing to land the entire crew, somo of whom wero nearly exhausted — tho boatmen, in particular^ had to be put to bed. A party volunteered to man the boat and bring their dry clothing ashore, which Captain Hepburn refused to give up, alleging that they were bound to assist in landing tho passengers, although assured of their inability to do so. During the afternoon the Heather Bell raised her anchor and shifted across tho bay to the Maintain river, about ft mile and a-half, wjiere the cutter that conveyed Hunt's party landed a few days. ago. Tho Miskin being unable to land her entire cargo that evening : owing to her' distanco from shore, caused some confusion, as many parties wero detached, some on shore without tent or provisions. They managed to get shelter among those who landed by tho Omeo and had their habitations erected The night proved a stormy one, and on directing our gaze to where the Miskin was last seen, she had disappeared. Many conjectures were formed respecting her doparture ; somo affirmed that sho had gone Invercargill way ; others, that she had returned to Hokitika. These doubts and surmises were removed, to the delight of many who had goods aud mates on board, by her return round the south headland about 9 a.m. On Captain Beveridge manning his boat to finish the landing, it was found that evil-disposed persons had cut holes and split tho sides and bottom of her with an axo, a piece of scoundrelism for which, if the perpetrators could bo detected.they should receive no sympathy from tho hands of justice, as this was in reality the only safe boat available. After an hour or two spent in repairs, eho resumed tho landing process, during which tho " Bruce" steamed into the bay with another cargo of adventurous miners. Tho sito selected for tho township is well sheltered, except when tho wind is direct on shore, and at a reasonable distance from tho landing-placo. At present tho survey only oxtends to ono street, which ruus parallel with the beuoh, and about 20 yards in scrub, on a slight elevation composed of heavy wasih. From 15 to 20 frontages wero occupied, and their possession gave rii?o. to litigation, which was soon satisfactorily sottled. A number of small stores havo opened for business, but nearly all tho ownei'd had Supplied themselves with a few weeks' rations,- so tl.a; their business is very limited up to t.iis timo. Tho population I estimate at 140, mauy ot whom

aro spending their time in washing, Resetting their tents, picking cockles at low* tide, which are here in great quantities, while others are fowling ; but, although many reports can be heard, in no instance have I seen them return with game. They say that ducks and pigeons are much scarcer than they anticipated. The question now arises, what has justified this large rush of people? I have been unable to visit the Ninemile Beach, as it is called, but from what I can learn there is about 250 men, besides 73 horses and 82 pedestrians that came overland. Hunt and party have, or are about td commence Operations with quicksilver on the sea . beach, and I am assured by those Avho came in the same cutter that the piospects were much interior to those that can be had on the beach between Hokitika and Three-mile Crdek. He advises prospecting, which hd intends doing, and some are now back in the interior. I might mention that the main range approaches much nearer/ the sea than in the vicinity of HokitiHa, which must limit the area for .prospecting, and a swamp of considerable breadth runs in a line with ' the sea shore that will require crossing. I would strongly and sincerely advise all parties whoso minds are disturbed by this rush, to divest themselves of its influence, or wait 'until something .tangible has been found ; as yet there is nothing, and it is quite within' the range of probability that if nothing is discovered within a few days the sea shore will be lined by returning disappointed miners.