OKIRITA.

West Coast Times, Issue 80, 7 December 1865, Page 2

OKIRITA.

So littlo authentic intelligence reaches us from the far south, whero it is well known a considerable number of miners aro locatod, who aro supposed to bo un* earthing a considerable amount of gold,, that any reliable news will, wo aro sure, bo read with interest by _ tho ' general public, especially as tho opinions of both classes of our community aro conflicting in tho extreme respecting tho absoluto worth of the south portion of Westland as a gold producing district. Tho few roports that jiavo roached us latoly load to tho supposition that, although its dovolopmont is vory gradual, results nono tho loss important will onsuo ; tho report of Capt. Gibson, who arrived in town from thoro yesterday, tending to confirm us in that opinion. By his couvtosy wo have boen placed in possession of tho following facts. Tho Okirita township consists at present of sixteen stores, and thoro aro now in tho courso of erection four or flvo others. Tho population of the town numbers about ono hundred aud fifty souls, -who find no lack of employment, businoss being tolerably brisk, sovoral vosscls having arrived their latoly whoso adyont 'was most Welcome, tho markets being at tho timo remarkably bare of stable commodities. Tho diggings aro situated a short distance from tho town on tho boaohos of the Wiarau lagoon, whoro some thrco hundrod minors aro at work, many of them doing remarkably well ; and although wo have nithorto boon givon so understand tho sairfplo of gold in that district is remarkably nno, it sooms' wo have boon misinformed, Capt, Gibson having, not only inspected, but weighed sovoral small nuggots from 1£ dwts. to 18 dwts. each. Moro gold is offering than tho storokoopors can buy, who havo also in hand largo parcols 'thoy nro most anxious to transmit to . town. Before tho arrival of tho lona, provisions woro soarpo, flour especially ruling very high, thoprico of thos Olbbag boing, from ffi 103 to SA, but ifc is now ' reduced, tho samo quantity beiug dOjsi only,

Tea ranges from 4s to 4s 6d. Sugar Is to Is 3d. Bacon 2s 2d to 2s 6d, and all other aticlos in proportion. Gold ranges from £3 10s to £3 15s peroz, a most unaccountably low figure. Captain Gibson, who was accompanied on his rotuvn to to town by Inspector Broham, reports tho country as exceedingly difficult to cross, the rivers offering great obstructions ; and tho passage round some of tho rocky points (that can bo only bo attempted at low water) as very dangorous. At one of them they both had a very narrow escape from being overwhelmed by the advancing tide, tho former gontlemon being washed out of tho saddle no less than throe timos. "We congratulate them both on their safe 'arrival and tender our thanks for the courtesy shown us.