THE GREY.

West Coast Times, Issue 64, 31 October 1865, Page 2

THE GREY.

October 30, 18G5,

Tho mining reports I have to givo from this part of tho West Coast are decidedly encouraging. Many of the minors who have hitherto boon working their claims aro preparing to open business promises, having gained tho needful, and considering x if preferablo to be storekeepers than always undergoing tho hardships consequent on a digger's life.

Tho news from the eighteen mile, above tho twelve milo, has so far turned out according to the roport of the prospectors, and is in reality a second " Red Jack's."

Tho information I have received so far from " Twelve Mile," " Red Jack's," "Nobbier," and the rushes on tho Arnold, mentioned in my last, is flattering, and tho diggers there engaged are succeeding in extracting tho precious metal. As you aro now receiving almost daily accessions to your population in Hokitika, I shall endeavor by every opportunity to send you reliable and authentic information.

Smart and party havo returned from a prospecting expedition up the river, but on account of scarcity of provisions have not taken up the extended claim they intend having. Fnll particulars I will furnish in my next. Respecting tho rush to the North of tho Grey, the firstp roprietors aro doing first rate.being provided with the proper appliances, mercury, &c, and should such bo obtainable here more ground would be at onco opened up. The rush to tho South of tho Grey, extending from two to three miles of tho rivor, is now a decided fact, and you may confidently state it as being ono of tho most desirable on the Coast. I may state that I know of more than one " homeward bound" claim being worked in this district.

Information on one point which I feel desirous to givo you, I am not in a position to do, namely tho amount of gold received from the several fields, as since the robbery committed on Mr Walmsley, the banks, have wisely decided on running no further risks in sending up country to purchase gold, and consequently various schemes aro adopted by storekeepers and others to convoy their gold to town, of which I can know nothing. There is an instance which I may mention in particular, whore a storekeeper, to my knowlcdgo, brought down on tho quiet over threo hundred ounces in an old potato bag ; most likely the worthy storekeeper on reading this will laugh in his slcovo. I can, therefore, only advise you respecting tho amount actually shipped — duty thereon. On enquiry at the respective banks I find tho amount ready for shipment, por next steamer, is about 8,000 ozs., and which quantity will no doubt be greatly augmented previous to tho clcpnrturo of tho vessol which may bo entrusted with tho same.

Tho improvements in the town are rapidly progressing. Substantial buildings aro being orected in all quarters, whore an available spot of ground is to bo obtained ; but thero is a decided want here of an improvement committee. The merchant storekeepers and publicans seem blind to their own interests, or dilatory, as by a littlo extra exponso, instead of only making their own frontages passablo, they might mako tho frontage to tho Grey River ono of the most dolightful promenades in tho Southorn hemisphere. On entering tho Grey by steamer, or sailingvossel, the new arrival must be bo struck with tho beautios of this place, the town being most delightfully situated. Looking to tho North, a landscap worthy of a first-class painter's delineation, meet tho view, oxtonding over tho rapid and wide extent of tho Grey river.

The rising town of Cobden on tho Nelson side, lying under the protection of tho surrounding hills (and showing great discrimination 'on the selectors' part) is now being fully developed. The Nelson Government may bo eulogised for one thing, that is the employment of gentlemen acquainted with the courtesies of life, who always willing to afford every information to the inquirer, who on his arrival here desires advice.

No doubt ore this you have heard of tho fatal accident, which occurred at Saltwater Creek on Friday last. It seems that tho freshet was such, that tho passengers were afraid to cross with the driver, and endeavored to dissuade him from doing so, stating that they would gladly wait for him. He, however, could not bo persuaded, and therefore persisting in his endeavor to cross, came to an untimely end. Tho horses and conch havo since been brought to Greyraouth, and are at present at tho Cosmopolitan Hotel stables.

Just now the body of the unfortunate man has been recovered, near the wreck of the Nelson steamer. Tho particulars elicited at the inquest I will communicate to you in my next. Anothor accident up the river ocourrod on Friday, by the upsetting of a canoe, belonging to Harry Mitchell, a boatman well-known on tho Grey rivor. At the timo of tho accident six persons woro in tho canoe, but of the whole five only are left. Tho man, whoso name I havo not ascertained, is much respected by his mates, nnd known generally by a bye-name. In commercial matters, I can only say that business is steady. Tho past week has been rather dull, owing to tlio bad weathor wo hnvo experienced. There are certain articles of commcrco which are in doinand, but as sovoral vossols are now hourly oxpected, including one, our old friend the Walluby, I may presuino our wants will bo attendod to.

[n shipping I havo no arrivals to rgport since my last communication. The departures from this port yesterday, owing to the facilities afforded by tho d »ptli ttiwl smoothness of the channel, were the Flying Squirrel, Three Brothers, Johanna, Jane Anne, for Dunedin, Queen Charlotte Sound, and Melbourne. All crossed the bar without the slightest difficulty, and havo now left our port empty. Since writing the above, the Honry Havelock, from Auckland, with a cargo of timber, came in with the first quarter flood. There are now about 18 feet of water on the bar at high tide.