THE GREY.

West Coast Times, Issue 62, 26 October 1865, Page 2

THE GREY.

Groymouth, October 24th. Mining affairs hero continuo vory satisfactory, and the accounts from the Arnold, Red Jacket, Nobbier, and Twelve-Mile aro very encouraging. During the past week business has been brisk, the up-country storekeepers having purchased supplies freely, and there seems to bo littlo scarcity of tho needful.

Whilo writing you, nows has just arrived that a first-rate claim on the Arnold, about three miles from tho old diggings, has been opened and attracted a rush ; also a rush this morning to about four miles beyond Red Jack's, which, I feol confident will bo right, as tho parties who havo been there somo timo and getting their supplies gradually, camo down yesterday and purchased largely.

Tho rush to the north attracted a thousand or two who visited the place, but none wre so fortuuato hitherto as tho prospectors, who certainly have got a golden claim. In the wash-dirt which thoy showed me, and which was taken

indiscriminately, the precious metal was glittering ; they (three of them) were taking about seven to eight ounces a day, using mercury as the gold is exceedingly fine. Parties who aro experienced in the matter, and who have been further up the coast, say that gold exists and payable from the Grey to the Buller, and that the country only wants opening up, Should such prove to be the case it wll be fortunate, as supplies arc easily obtained, tho diggings being contiguous to the sea beach. The new diggings, south of the Grey, where the celebrated 1 hundred -weight was obtained, are right ; and the parties now engaged there are doing well and making good returns, in fact, considering the facilities of the place, as good as any on the West Coast.

Stores and public-houses aro being put up in the usual rapid colonial way, and packers are making their little pile in a very nice comfortable way. In local matters there is nothing of importance to communicate except the general characteristics of the township, and the township of Cobden, of which I will speak in my next communication. During tho past week the weather has been very changeable, and there have been heavy freshets in the river, during ono of which, on Saturday, Messrs Batty and Go's coal boat, which had been loading at the pits, capsized, and tho four men who were managing her wero immersed, but fortunately no lojs of life ensued; the boat was afterwards recovered (having nearly drifted to the mouth of tho river) by some of tho ferrymen, who with great difficulty and tho aid of a line from ono of the vessels lying at anchor in the river and brought to shore.

The improvements going on hero are most encouraging, and show neither a want of spirit or capital on the part of tho residents of the Grey. Large and extonsivo stores are rapidly rising, and though comparison may be invidious, thoy are not excelled by the older township of Hokitika. The amusements here are scanty, and wero it not for a spirited gentleman, the proprietor of the Union (Mr. Kilgour) there would be nothing to afford the relaxation which one enjoys in the evening after a day's toil. Here he has erected a large hall similar to tho Corinthian Hall in Hokitika, where Miss Annie Beaumont, Professor Parker, and a talented company are drawing crowded audiences. I may mention that all the land at presont cleared by Government, extending from the Maori township to tho bridge leading to Blaketown, has been taken up, and every foot of ground in the Maori township has been sold. There certainly are a few allotments in tho hands of speculators, who intend having a profit, and I think they will get their price before the week is past. On the Cobden sido a wharf is in course of erection, which will bo a great convenience to the steamers loading their supplies of coal. From tho numerous arrivals of both steamers and sailing vessels, along with their several departures, and the crossing over of almost every one who could afford time to visit the new rush up the coast (about a mile and a half from tho mouth of the Grey), this place presented really a lively appearance, and one calculaled to impress a new arrival with every feeling of confidence ; and which, so far as regards my own opinion after mature inquiry, would not be misplaced.