OKARITA.

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

OKARITA.

[FROM OUB OWN COBBEBPONDKNT] March 17th. The rush mentioned in my last letter at the rear of the woikings on the Threemile Beach, has turned out a failure, the majority of the miners having given up their claims. Another rush occurred at the rear of the terrace on the Five-mile Beach, which has turned out better, but by no means extensive, only a few parties haying got payable gold. The holders of claims on the Five-mile still continue to get gold by pounds weight. An immense number of stores, &c, have been erected within the last few days, and business people appear to be doing a thriving trade. However, I believe there are quite enough stores now for the settled population. Another rush occurred to a spot six miles north of Okarita. The moment it became known that payable gold had been foutid, a regular stampede took place amongst the miners, who did not stop pegging out claims nntil the pegs could be seen opposite Okarita. I have spoken with several miners that have returned, and they say that only a few claims have been found payable. From the foregoing your readers will perceive that the statement I made in a former letter, as to there being a sufficient number of idle miners here to take up miles of beach, was quite correct. There is a rumor extensively circulated here to the effect that no less than eight miners have been drowned whilst prospecting in the vicinity of the Haast River. I am afraid that the rumor is too true, as the names of three of the parties drowned have been told me — viz., Thomas Burns, Thomas Maher, or Moher, and — Coffey. An unlucky accident occurred to Mr Mace, a storekeeper on the Five- mile, a few evenings since. He was conveying a parcel of gold (about 190 oz.) from the Five-mile to Okarita, in a bag, but when rounding the Bluff a huge wave overturned both horse and rider ; and in the struggle to save himself, Mr Mace dropped the bag containing tho gold. AU that evening, and every day since, diligent search has been made for the missing bag, but up to the present time without success. Mr Mace has offered a reward of £100 for tho recovery of the gold. On Thursday it was reported that a party had struck payable gold some seventeen miles south of' Okarita. No one ap» peared to know what prospects were obtained ; but no sooner was the rumor known than hundreds of miners started for the south. All day on Friday, and during the night, tho steady tramp of heavily laden diggers was heard continuously as they wended their way by twos and threes, and dozens, to the scene of the Dorado. On this morning, long before break of day, the living stream continued to pour along, and now (4 p.m.) the stragglers in the rear are only just passing. At grey dawn, this morning I spoke to three or four horsemen who had just returned from the rush. They report that it is of no account, as they could not see any person getting more than one grain to the shovel, and the stripping was very heavy — some fifteen feet. The flow of population for the last fortnight has.been down south ; day after day hundreds crossed the Waiho, determined to prospect the beaches thoroughly ; and I expect soon to be able to send you an account of a real good rush to the south. On account of the large number of miners lately gone in the direction of Bruce Bay, I consider it is the duty of the Government to at once appoint a Warden for the district of Bruce Bay, and also to supply him with a sufficient number of po lice to uphold the majesty of the law. I hear on very good authority, that a miner was severely injured a few days ago, near Cook's River, whilst defending his claim against the. encroachment of a band of lawless ruffians. The police fo'-ce at present here at the disposal of Mr Warden Price is totally inadequate. Three or four nights since a mob of scoundrels kicked up a row in an hotel at Okarita, and ended by demolishing the windows with stones. t This being St. Patrick's Day, the Hibernians are keeping holiday in memory of the saint. A band of musicians paraded the town, aud running, leaping, horseracing, and boat-racing is the order of the day. No disturbance whatever has occurred up to the present time, notwithstanding a large amount of pale brandy, &c, has been consumed. I have no doubt the immortal shamrock will be effectually drowned this evening. A few nights since a fellow named James Kelly entered the store of Mr Welsh, on the Five-Mile, and was making off with his booty when Mr Welsh pursued and captured him ; he was handed over to the police, and committed for trial by Mr "Warden Price. A newspaper has been started here ; the first number was issued this morning. It is a well got up paper, and the proprietors deserve every encouragement, as the want of an advertising medium was much felt bythe mercantile portion of the community. The town of Okarita is increasing rapidly. New hotels are opened every day, and nil appear to be doing a good business,

At the Saltwater, fifteen miles north of Okarita, there are a good many miners located. The accounts, although not brilliant, are satisfactory; the most of the minors settled down are making fair wages.

March 25th. The rumor of eight men, alluded to in my last, as having been drowned whilst prospecting in tho vicinity of the Haast River, has turned out to be untrue, as only one man (named Quinlan) was drowned. Maher, Burns, and Coffey are safe and sound ; —the two former are now in Bruce Bay. The rushes both north and south of Okarita have turned out failures, to a great extent. The number of miners attracted to the north rush was bo great that the pegs stretched nearly seven miles, the great majority of the miners left for the south rush a couple of days after, where a great many were equally disappointed. However, on both rushes several parties have set in, determined to give the ground a thorough trial. I have noticod a considerable number of tin pumps being carried to the south rush during the wast three or four days, and I look upon it ag a very good omen, as it indicates that parties arc about commencing sluicing. On the Five-mile every one appears to be busy, and the amount of goods sold by I some of tho principal storekeepers is astonishing. I have been unable this week to make inquiries as to tho amount of gold procured by tho different parties ; but the general report is extremely good — every one acquainted with the place stating that it is the richest beach ever opened on the West Coast. From the Five-mile to Gillespie's (some seventeen miles) there are a few parties working here and there, the entire way; and I know some that are making moderate wages— £s or £6 a man per week. The crossing of that dangerous river, the Waiho, one mile south of the Fivemile, is now rendered safe, two enterprising men having purchased horses and established a regular horse-ferry. They charged at first the enormous sum of five shillings for each passenger ; but opposition being started, the Fare is now two-and-sixnence. At the Lake, mining affairs continue very dull indeed : a great many parties have left lately. Until a track is cut through the bush for packhorses, this place will never be of much account. The inhabitants of Okerita have subscribed a considerable amount already, for the purpose of cutting a track, and intend to subscribe more, as I believe the Government have resolved to bear part of the expense. Mr Albert Hunt went up to Okarita in the middle of the week from Bruce Bay ; and it began to be whispered on Thursday that he was about applying for a prospecting claim. There was great excitement at once amongst the miners. It soon leaked out that Hunt had told some acquaintances he was about applying for a prospecting claim down south. Immediately, and even before the prospecting claim was applied for, the whole beach was lined with men going south. I have seldom seen such a rush in New Zealand, except perhaps that of the Dunstan. The conjectures as to the whereabouts of the new rush were set at rest on Friday, by the granting of a prospecting claim to Mr Hunt and party seven miles south of Bruce Bay, and nine miles inland — prospects from four to six grains to the dish, with a couple of feet of washdirt. When the exact locale was known, dozens of business meu started on horseback, to take up frontages at Bruce Bay, each horse being put to its utmost speed. Seeing so many going, " your own " thought he might as well have a finger in the pie, so off he started with the rest, and arrived late this (Sunday) evening at bbuce bay. This hitherto quiet place is now full of excited miners. The beach is covered with tents, and there cannot be less than from 1500 to 2000 men camped, all awaiting the arrival of Mr Hunt, who is to come to-night, and show the golden ground tomorrow. Everyone ia busy preparing bread for to-morrow's journey. There are hundreds of miners still on the road, and as I now write they continue to come in by dozens. All the good business sites are taken up by storekeepers from Okarita and Five-Mile. Some miners I know have received £30 for removing their tents. There was only one store here before this rush, and it is the only one now, as there has not been time to pu up others. There were several tons of flour in the store this morning, besides large quantities of tea, sugar, &c, but this evening there is nonothing whatever within the walls, except oue bag of rice ; the entire stock, and it a very large one, has been all sold in a few hours at a very moderate price •• only 6d per lb for fiour. This store was formerly owned by the late Mr Schunckow, who was drowned a short time since. The greatest amusement was caused on the way down the beach at the different rivers, some of the miners being in such a hurry that they would not wait for the boat, but dashed iv headlong through the rivers. At the second river north of Bruce Bay. a Maori ferried over several hundreds in a canoe. Owing to several parties rushing the canoe, it upset several times, and all hands and swags were immersed in the water, amidst roars of laughter from the bystanders, several hundreds of whom were waiting on the bauk. The tide going out, however, allowed a great many to ford the river. The general opinion of the miners is, that Hunt got better prospects than he stated, but that he did not wish to cause too great a rush. 1 do not pretend to know, but will let you have the news from the rush as soon as possible.