THE GREY.

West Coast Times, Issue 176, 12 April 1866, Page 2

THE GREY.

(from oub own corbbspondent.) March 20. The election did not create anything beyond the very slightest interest here. Mr Shaw's expected arr val drew together a few score people, and probably had that gentleman come according to arrangement, a little ferment might have been occasioned. As it was Mr Crate, who •cted as proxy to Mr Shaw, went into a lengthy speech on the subjsct of Separation, and after the meeting heard him out it broke up. The polling day was' wet and diurnal, and no one seemed to care about walking a mile to the warden's office to vote. Some four or five enthusiastic voters made the journey and duly recorded their votes. Of course your readers already know the result, so 1 need not say any more on the subject. I have already in a former letter alluded to the abominable irregularity in the communication between this place and Hokitika, and it is therefore with something akin to thankfulness that we notice that Cobb and Co are about establishing a daily line of coaches. You may imagine the neccessity of come improvement when I tell you that up to this (Wednesdy) morning we have had no Hokitika papers since Saturday. I am also informed that the steamer Persetere is about to ply twice weekly between the two ports. I mentioned in a previous communication that a proposal was on foot to construct a large water race from Lake Brunnner, for the supply of water for sluicing purposes to the numerous auriferous gullies In the Arnold district. I am happy to atate that a company under the Mining Companies Liability Act, 1865, is in course of formation, and that the preliminary expenses of survey &c, have already been subscribed. The surveyor went up on Monday, and was accompanied by Mr Job Savage the proposed manager of the race. Mr Savage i 9 well known to miners from Otago from his connection with some of the most important water races in that province. I believe that there is a probability of other companies being shortly formed for the purpose of constructing water races in various parts of this district. The rush to Okarita has not quite abated, and some localities have suffered a serious diminution of population. Still, a great amount of gold is coming in from all quarters, and occasional discoveries of new good ground serve tokeep our mining population in good spirits. There have been rumours during the last few days of some good claims having been opened on both the north and south beaches. In fact, it appears that gold is distributed more or less plentifully on both the sea beach and the high ground behind. I took the trouble the other day to ascertain the S[uantity of gold exported from this place rom the sth December up to the 21st March, and I find it amounts to the respectable quantity of 98,429 ounces, or at the rate of 32,809 ounces per month. There appears to be no reason to apprehend any falling ofl in the return, but on the contrary, for the wet weather will enable much ground to be worked which is now unavailable. A singular case was brought before the Resident Magistrate on Monday. A miner named Driscoll had lodged an information against . the two employees of Mr Christenson, the gold smelter, charging them with having fraudulently misappropriated a quantity of gold, his property, during the process of smelting. The evidence went to prove that being dissatisfied with the return of his amalgam, and suspecting foul play, he fetched the police. The fire was searched, and several pieces of gold were found in the ashes" although no flaw was perceptible in the crucible. One of the accused waa searched, and some pieces of retorted gold were found in hia pocket. One of the accused was committed for trial, but the other was discharged. The Union Bank are about erecting a smelting house here, and the work is to be commenced forthwith. I hear that yesterday the Banks here all reduced the I»rice of gold 3d per oz. ; the reason aleged being that the Mint returns show a loss on particular kinds of gold. An inquest waa held on the 19th at the Bed, White and Blue Store, South Beach, on the body of a miner named William i Hfcrrjson, who had suddenly expired whilst working in his claim. The medical evidence was to the effect that the deceased had died from the rupture of an aneurism. He was a man poss*. jsed of considerable meant, there being on him Bank deposit receipts to the amount of about Ll5O, and papers showing that he had sent £1950 to Victoria. He is said to have been a resi- 1 dsnt in Kyneton. ! The town of Greyraouth is going ahead fipidly, and dull as the traders say business is, new stores are going up on every hand. Still it is evident that building is being overdone, for there are very many persons anxious to clear out. The number of hotels is out of all proportion to the legitimate requirements of |the population, •nd already the thin edge of the " sixpenny nobbier" system has been driven in to revive the demand. Several hotels in town are now selling ale at 6d per glass, and the publicans generally are " funky" lest some fine morning a second Wagner may pull down spirits to the same level. Considerable improvement is being made in the streets ; the Improvement Committee have commenced the formation of the footpath along the main street. It is 10ft. wide, and is expected to be finished in About a fortnight. That unfortunate craft, the Sea Bird, bas during the present spring tides been washed on to the top of the Spit, and the contractors for launching her, hope to get her afloat without any serious difficulty. The steamer Nelson cannot be many days before she is got afloat again, as she is •lose tojthe water's edge. The ketch Secret washed off the South Spit on Sunday. The fUcon and Eleanor remain in their old positions. A Magisterial inquiry was held as to the cause of the wreck of the Eleanor a few days ago, and the evidence went to wovo that whilst in the breakers, her fau Dt came entangled with some ropes, and that losing way, and consequently steerage, she drifted helplessly on the Spit. Trade continues very dull, and with but little bope of improvement co long an tocks remain so high. The weather remains most charmingly fine; in fact, I never experienced more agreeable weather during many years' re•Ktonce in New Zealand. • *

1 MarcA 96th. MrMoorhouse arrived here on bV.'.urday. and the same evening had a privafe conference with a few of our leading men, [ including some of the members of the Improvement Committee. Had there been time he would have addressed n public meeting, but owing to Saturday being an awkward day, and other reasons, he had to content himself with holding an interview with some of the principal residents to discuss the various wants of the district, I and to hear from him his opinions thereon, and an expression of h"s intended policy in the event of bis being elected Superintendent of Canterbury. If Mr Moorhouse, when Superintendent, performs half what he has promised, I think the people of Westland will have cause to thank fortune for placing him at the head of affairs in this province. It was remarked by one of the gentlemen present at the interview, it was difficult to believe that such liberal and comprehensive views as were expressed by Mr Moorhouse could emanate seriously from a Christchurch man. Mr Moorhouse stated that he regarded it as a fixed principle on which to base his administration that after the general charges had been met, the whole of the W eatland revenues should be applied tothe development of the district. He would devote the produce of the sale of town lands to the improvement of the towns, and would at first recommend a little extra Government aid towards the most pressing town improvements. But he considered that beyond this the towns should pay their own expenses, and to enable them to do this he would, whenever practicable, extend to them municipal powers. The chief application of the revenue should, however, be to the opening up of the interior, by forming tracks and roads, erecting bridges, establishing ferries, and such other work as would encourage population, reduce the cost of living, and facilitate the thorough examination of the country. For the last-mentioned object, he should, if elected, at once give instructions to the chief surveyor, ordering a series of surveyors' lines to be cut through the whole district, in lines a mile, or perhaps less, apart, parallel with the beach, and intersected by other similar lines running towards the sea. By means of these lines men would be able to trust themselves into almost any part of the country without the danger of being lost in the bush. He was of opinion also that the Government should, out of the Provincial loans, advance money on loan to public companies for the construction of works, such as tramways, &c, calculated to advance the district. He touched on several other matters of more local bearing, and further stated that whether as member of the General Assembly, member of the Provincial Council, or as Superintendent of the Province, Westland would always receive a large share of his attention. He urged upon the meeting the necessity of sending good men to the C ouncil, as it depended quite as much on their representatives as upon himself whether the future administration of affairs in Westland should be satisfactory or not. Mr Moorhouse was warmly thanked for his visit, and for the trouble he had taken to express his opinions. It is an old saying that " it never rains but it pours," and the people of Greymouth had the opportunity on Saturday of verifying the truth of the adage. After languishing for many months under the neglect of the authorities at Christchurch, and suffering from an unsatisfied wish that somebody who really could do something would viait Greymouth and judge for himself, they have been astonished by the sudden advent of a whole bevy of officials. Any time these past six months an occasional visit from M.r Sale would have satisfied the district, but as that was not to be had at any price, I suppose the inhabitants are in duty bound to express great satisfaction at the honor which a Superintendent on his last legs and the members ot a moribund Executive have conferred upon the district by visiting it; and to feel deep thankfulness for the promises given by those who will, most likely, in a week or two hence, have no ability to perform them. The Improvement Committee, with a promptitude that did it infinite credit, siezed upon the opportunity of presenting a deputation of its members before his Honor the Superintendent and the other provincial magnates, for the purpose of letting them know what this district required ; and, from what I can learn, the deputation got through their business very well, and was very "courteously received." But, after all, there is something very absurd in the strong contrast between the conduct of the Bealey Government at Christchurch, and of the same Government when its chiefs are on the West Coast. When in Christchurch we can get nothing whatever done, but when in Greymouth they are ready to promise almost anything. Is this diversity of conduct due to the blissful ignorance in which the subordinate officials have kept the Executive in regard to the necessities of the place ? Perhaps so ; for it is known to be a general failing with Government that they cannot get out of the groove of strict duty, but just quietly acquiesce in the policy of their superiors. Goodness knows, it is not many of them that can be safely trusted with discretionary powers, and that I suppose has influenced the Christchurch magnates regarding the district of Westland. Even Mr Sale's powers have not been anything like what they are commonly supposed to be, while Mr Revell has scarcely enjoyed more responsibility than one of his own policemen. The result of the conference was that, Ist. The Police Court House is to be at once removed from its present inconvenient site down to the Government Reserve, near the centre of the town. 2ndly. The Provincial authorities will recommend the General Government to establish daily postal communication between Greymouth and Hokitika. 3rdly. That two of the escort troop are to be told off to escort the packers and gold buyers from outlying diggings to the Twelve Mile landing up the river. As to any enlargement of the Wharf it will be recommended to the successors of the present Government as a desirable thing. The snags are to be removed, and some aid at once given to the Hospital. In mining affairs I have to report the discovery of some very good ground on the Mawheraiti or " little Grey." Those who have set in there are said to be doiug exceedingly well. I must not forget to state that the terraces near the " Darkies claim" are attracting a good many diggers, and several very good claims have been opened during the past week,

March 29. The Grey is unprecedently dull just now. What with the bareness of the river (one vessel, the Goldsecker, and two steamers being all the shipping that is here') and the exodus of miners down south, the streets and wharves of this town are almost deserted. It is not as-, tonishing therefore that the spirits of the traders and residents are proportionately flat. Property, which a few weeks ago was eagerly sought after is now a drug, there being scarcely anyone, who in the face of the present depression, cares to invest money until he can see his way very clear. Still the cause of this prevailing uneasiness is more imaginary than real, for the diggers, as a class, are doing very well — in fact are earning wages higher than the average returns on any other goldfield on the West Coast. But the digger cannot resist the temptations held out by new rushes, and on the bare chance of making a " pile " at once, they desert good payable claims and scamper off to any place which for tlu moment holds out particular attractions. Just now Bruce Bay is all the talk, and the most ludicrous exaggerations are afloat here concerning the discoveries at that place. It was currently rumored, aud complacently credited, the other day that among the other wonders of the Bruce Bay diggings, a nugget weighing 24lbs (pounds) had been found ! And it is on the strength of such yarns as these that men, earning a comfortable living, rush off on a long and difficult journey, involving great hardships and loss. To set against the news from the South I have to report that the rush to the Little Grey (Ma-whera-iti) has turned out much more important in its results than was anticipated. A large, and from experience so far, a rich goldfield has been discovered, embracing six miles on the one and three miles on the other side of the river. The sinking is from two to ten feet, the washdirt averaging from four to six feet iv thickness, and the smallest prospect obtained is 2 dwts. to the dish. I saw a miner from that district yesterday who had come down for provisions for his party, and he told me that a great many men were flocking to the scene from the adjacent diggings. The beach claims on the North and South Beaches still continue to produce large quantities of gold. Some of the earlier opened " pile claims" are on the eve of being worked out, but others almost as rich are being opened in the vicinity. Judging from my own observations I should say that the beach diggings will for a long time to come support a much larger population than they now enjoy The great Greenstone case was heard at the Police Court the other day and resulted in the committal of Reynolds for trial, bail being however taken. The Maori claimant put a most extravagant value on the stone, viz, — £3000, and I am assured by one learned in such matters that the quality of the stone is much inferior to that of which the natives manufacture their favorite ornaments. Talking about Maories, I fancy the advent of the white population on the West coast has very much demoralised the wretched remnants of tho aboriginal race on this part of the coast. The Maories here, bo.th male and female have adopted very freely the worst vices of the lowest Europeans. It is a wretched spectacle to see the women dressed in chrlnoiine and flashy garments, reeling about all day in a state of semi-in-toxication with drunken diggers. The rest may be conceived. The men are souie of them very decent intelligent fellows, but there are others who spend their whole time playing billiards and drinking, just like their dissipated white brethren. It is vastly amusing to press into some of the lower drinking shops and sec a lot of Maoris playing pool, another Maori acting as marker. They play tolerably well, and make quite as much ado about a fluke as the swell players at the Albion. Some of the men have got very comfortable wea-ther-boarded houses, but they appear to have very indifferent domestic habits. The registration of voters has, I am afraid, not been sufficiently attended to in this district, although several persons interested themselves so far as to go round with forms, and procure the signatures of such as cared to attend to matters political. The alleged theft of gold by a gold smelter has assumed a fresh phase, and one that I hear puzzles those learned in metallurgy not a little. On Monday morning a digger brought some gold to be retorted — or smelted, I forget which — and it was necessary to use the same apparatus that was employed in the other case. But on applying it to the fire, it was evident something was wrong with the tube which conducts the mercurial vapour into the condensing reservoir. On examination, it was found to be choked up with a deposit of gold, which, on being poked out, weighed several ounces. The explanation volunteered by the operator was, that the amalgam had been placed on too hot a fire, and that the mercury, in rushing up the tube, had carried the gold with it, and and deposited it there. I believe the inspector of police was sent for to witness the novel accident. The private smelters will not have much to do soon, as the Union Bank has nearly completed a large smelting furnace, and the Bank of New Zealand is about following suit. Each of these institutions announce that no charge will be made for retorting or smelting. I enclose fuller details regarding the Little Grey diggings, as published in an extra issued by the Grey River Argus this evening. The news' has created great excitement, and hundreds of men are preparing to start off.

April 7. Whether our local journal was premature in publishing the accounts relating to the alleged discoveries up the Little Grey, or whether the information at its disposal was insufficient, certain it is that a rush has occurred quite disproportionate to the real grounds for so large an accession of population. During the last three or four days, men have poured into the town and up the country by hundreds, whilst as yet there is an absence of information sufficiently definite to warrant the continuance of the rush. The most conflicting accounts are in circulation, there being not a few who openly denounce the local journal with having promoted a rush on false pretences. It is obviously, however, impossible for any positive opinion to be expressed on tho correctness, or otherwise, of the reports published by the Qi-roy Rivm* Argus, That paper despatched a special reporter to the ground on Friday morning, thus giving satisfactory proof of its bona fides in the matter. The gentleman sent up to report is a Mr James Milne, a woU-Hnown intelligent digger, whose re«

port may bo relied upon. From a hurried letter which he sent down immediately on bia • arrival at the Little Grey, and which is published in this morning's paper, it appears that whatever may be the nature of the country at the head of the Little Grey, it is very certain that no rush was anticipated by the diggers in the locality. Still the accounts given by those who have for some time been working in the locality, are suffi ciently favorable to warrant the expectation that further prospecting will lead to something good. The district is favorable for prospecting, and as the reporter says, presents every appearance of being au riferous. Further and more detailed accounts are promised in n day or two. Meantime the Grey Jiiver Argus gives this morning its authorities for the information it published. Whether the rush proves good or not, one thing is very certain, that the nnmber of men going up is too great, unless they are determined to give the district a fair trial. I have the authority of Mr Warden Kynnersly for stating that the probability is in favor, of a good goldfield being opened. He tells me that he knows that much of the ground yields upwards of two grains to the dish, , with a great thickness of wash dirt. * Machcn (I think that is his name), the - prospector, made £50 (or 500z., I am not sure which, but I mention the lesser amount) for his share in a few days. Letters have also been received by the Maoris here from their friends on the Buller side of the range, sending for them to go up, as they were getting first rate prospects from a creek named the Ngarhua, or Nangarua. During the day excited bodies of diggers have been congregatedat the various street corners, and threats of summary vengeance against the Grey llivcr Argus and its staff were freely indulged in, should the rush prove a failure. I think, however, that the explanations in this morning's paper will convince the miners that however the rush may turn out, the journal acted conscientiously in the matter. The sale of town sections commences on Friday, at Kilgour's new large room. I don't apprehend that those who desire to retain their sections will have to encounter much competition, as I understand the valuations nlaced on the improvements are high enough tokeep outsidersfrom bidding. I Have really no other news to send your readers. There has been nothing of importance in the Magistrate's Courts. I may say, however, that the decision of Mr Revell, in committing the man Reynolds for, as is alleged, " stealing" the block of greenstone, has been severely criticised. On what grounds he came to his decision, it is difficult to say, as the Maoris could really prove no title to the stone. It was lying on Crown Lands, and if anyone should complain it should have been the Crown Lands Commissioner. Of course it could not come within the scope of the Gold Fields Act, so that even if the Maoris were "shepherding" the stone, that could not possibly give them a right to it. The weather continues warm and fine, with occasional showers. The health of the town is improving, and the number of patients in the Hospital diminishing. Barlow continues to draw crowded houses.

April 7. Mr. Sub Warden Lightband, who had been instructed by Mr Warden Kynnersley to proceed to the Little Grey and report on the alleged new field, returned yesterday ; and this morning an official report appears in the local paper, with Mr Warden Kennersly'a authority. There was a good deal of excitement in town on Wednesday and Thursday evening, to the rumor that some hundreds of incensed diggers intended to proceed to tho office of the Grey llivcr Argus and inflict summary punishment on all connected with the establishment, because of that paper having imposed a false statement on the miners. Bands of men were to be seen congregated at^ various street corners, and so much was said and so much threatened to be clone, that it appeared very probable that some mischief would follow. The police had taken every precaution for the preservation of the peace, and the protection of the Argus office ; as it was feared that the meeting called for Thursday morning might still further increase the excitement. On Thursday morning an attempt was made to hold a public meeting, but it was afterwards adjourned for an hour or two. At two o'clock the Concert Room attached to Kilgour's Hotel was crowded with excited diggers who had met to decide what steps should bo taken towards the offending newspaper. Mr E. B. Fox was voted to the chair. Mr Moore one of the proprietors of the Argus defended the conduct of the paper, and showed how absurd it was for men who had not tested the ground to condemn the rush as a hoax. The miners, after a lot of " jaw" came to the very sensible resolution "that the Editor of the Grey River Argus should pay a fine of £100 to the Hospital"— which of course will be paid 1 The sale of Town Sections which was to have commenced yesterday, was delayed owing to the non arrival of the officials from Hokitika. They did not reach Greymouth, until late last night some accident having occurred to the coach, The sale commenced at 10 o'clock to-day. There was absolutely no competition for occupied sites, the sufficiency of the valuation placed upon the improvements in each case being an effectual measure for securing to each occupant his own site. I ought to mention that the total amount of the valuations on the buildings in the Government township is £44,132. Mr Rickard's^ assessments have in every case given satisfaction to the proprietors. Mr Rochfort is here and is much disappointed to find that the wharf, which is now completed, is almost useless. Somehow the current ins banked up the shingle in front of the wharf and seriously reduced the depth of water. Not one of the steamers has yet made use of it. The steamer Nelson, after a detention of six months on the North Spit, was successfully launched yesterday morning. She was towed up the river by the little tug Woodpecker, with music playing and colors flying. The Nelson has not sustained such serious injury as was expected, and her chief cost of repairs will now bo m supplying the fittings of which she was stripped before the sale of the hull to the present owners. She is likely to prove an excellent speculation. A thief was detected stealing a quantity of goods from the shop window of Messrs Smith and McDowell, drapers, between four and five o'clock on Wednesday morning. Mr M'DoweU had. a severe figh^

with the intruder, but ultimately secured him and conveyed him to the Police Camp. The prisoner, whose name is Joseph Moore was committed to gaol for six months with hard labor. This is tlie first crime of the kind that has occurred in Greymouth. With this exception there has been little or nothing of importance to engage the time of the Resident Magistrate. Very favorable news has been received from the survey party despatched to lay out the line of the proposed great water race fron Lake Brunner. The manager, Mr Job Savage, reports that there arc no serious obstacles or engineering difficulties to sui mount ; and that three miles of levels have been taken from the lake end, and four miles of a track have been cut from Maori Gully. He describes the district through which the race has to pass as presenting every indication of being auriferous. The miners in the Arnold district are sanguine of the success of the scheme ; and there is no doubt that as soon as the shares are thrown on the market they will bo rapidly taken up. The weather since Thursday afternoon has been most stormy. Yesterday we had tremendous showers of hail and rain, accompanied by thunder and lightning. There is now a very heavy sea on the bar, and the surf along the beach is higher than I have before seen it here. It is doubtful if any craft could enter the river until tho weather inoder tes, as there ia a fresh coming down. ■■ ' " » ■ »»'