OKARITA.

West Coast Times, Issue 202, 12 May 1866, Page 2

OKARITA.

[from our own correspondent] April 15th. During the past ten days, the unfortunates allured to Bruce Bay by the never to be forgotten Hunt's rush, have been daily arriving in this township. Many of the poor fellows seemed weary and worn after their long tramp. The majority of the miners had started from Bruce Bay the moment the startling news arrived of the alleged new goldfield at the Little Grey, intending to start for Grey mouth on the arrival of the next steamer should the jrood news be confirmed. Great was their disappointment when news arrived that the Littls Grey was another " sell." They remained knocking about for three or four days, but now most have dispersed— some north and some south. • On my journey from Bruce Bay I observed some few parties prospecting at Hunt's Bench which is situated eight or nine miles from Bruce Bay. This beach is very flat and extends about four miles. I was informed by some old hands on this beach that there was not much chance of nc^v discoveries as it had been well prospected some months since. The next beach larrived at was Gillespie's, twenty miles from Okarita ; there a great number had stopped on their upward journey prospecting, as there were a considerable number of old hands settled down who were making fair wages. 1 hear favorable, although not brilliant accounts and I have observed within the last few days a considerable number of miners crossing the Waiho bound for Gillespie's. Large numbers of pack horses, heavily laden, have also gone down south during the last day or two. I observed twelve in one mob, and nine in another, on jast Wednesday. From what 1 can learm jrom acquaintances I am inclined to believe a very considerable, if not large populaton will remain at Gillespie's for the next two or three months, as the miners are so harrassed running about, and as the weather is now broken, they are glad to set in anywhere almost, where they can be comfortably settled down and make even fair wages during the wet weather. At Sand-Fly Beach, situated nine miles from Okarita, there have lately been a few patches working, and, I am told, making fair wages. A large addition has been made to the population since the return rush from Bruce Bay, sevoral parties having obtained tolerably paying prospects, determined to set in to work. On this beach, it must be remembered, a smaller prospect will pay than on Gillespie's, las on this beach, by going to a little trouble, each claim can obtain water from, the lagoon at the back of the beach, whereas on Gillespie's water cannot be obtained, at least not sufficient, for several sluice hands. On the beach, immediately south of the Waiho, seven miles from Okarita. about twenty miners are at work. They are old hands on the beach, and know the run of the ground. Few, if any, are making more than wages ; indeed tliis beach was

never rich, and it has been nearly all worked. Since the complete hoax played by Hunt on tho mining community, Mr Warden Price has very judiciously determined to grant no prospecting claim in future, without first prospecting the ground himself, or sending a constable to report upon the same. The Five Mile beach is now a very stirring place, several parties having settled into work in the last few days, on the very outside of the beach workings. The prospects obtained are encouraging ; at the same time, 1 believe the ground will be abandoned, as the sinking is very heavy, and the water mot with being very difficult to overcome — particularly at high tide. There have been some good prospects obtained on a third bottom on the Five Mile beach, but from what I could learn from acquaintances to-day, I consider the discovery to be of little importance. The Five Mile now rivals Okarita in the number of stores, &c. There are dance rooms, billiard rooms, and hotel.s in profusion, and the storekeepers appear to be doiug a roaring trade. As tor Okarita, every second house is an hotel ; — truly, selling twopence worth of brandy for a shilling must be a very paying game. The catalogue of deaths by drowning in the West Coa3t rivers is becoming truly appalling. Last week another victim was hurried to eternity in the very flower of strength and youth. The deceased, William Whelan, was crossing the river where the lagoon, at the rear of the Three Mile, burst through a few days ago, when by some means he got off the horse, and was swept into the surf ; being a strong swimmer, the struggles he made for life even in the breakers, were truly agonising to behold. The deceased was only three months on the coast, and had made many friends by his pleasing manner and obliging disposition. He was a native of either Carlow or Queen's County, and had been anxiously inquiring for an elder brother of his, called John Whelan, whom he had not seen for many years, and whom, I am informed, was some years ago a member of the Dublin police, and is, I believe, at present up the Grey. A meeting was held on Thursday evening last, for tho purpose of forming an Improvement Committee. After considerable discussion nine gentlemen were selected to make the necessary arrangements to have a committee elected. Intelligence reached town on Friday Miat a miner was lying helpless in a tent near Gillespie's Beach, with a broken leg. Mr Warden Price at once despatched a trooper, to render any necessary aid. Some miners passing up the beach lately informed me that, when passing tho Rocky Bluff, immediately north of the Waitcmata Iliver — where Sclicrnikow was drowned — the body of a man, supposed to be that of the late Mr Sclicrnikow, was seen in the rocks amongst the breakers, without a particle of clothing on. I have since heard the body was cast up on the beach. Tho want of an hospital is much felt now, a great many miners being sick and destitute. Many may thank Hunt for their present illnesses, owing to the hardships they went through, following him. Dr Lee has rendered every assistance in his power to the unfortunate sufferers, and has, I believe, signified his willingness to attend on the sick, should an hospital be established. April 21. As I anticipated, some of the parties allured to. Bruce Bay, on their return journey, have struck payable gold on raauy of the beaches. A rush took place in the middle of last week on Gillespie's Beach, a short distance into the scrub. The prospects obtained were from four to six grains to the shovel. As soon as the news became known, the ground was pegged out on each side for a very long distance. I have since heard that the ground is very patchy, but from what I could see of the beach, I have no doubt the new lead will give remunerative employment to a large number of miners for a considerable time. There is a very large population now both on Saudily and Gillespie's beaches— l should say some fifteen hundred men, and I believe the majority arc making wages, and some making from £10 to £20 per week. In consequence of the large number of miners set into work on the various beaches, business in the storckeeping line in Okaritn has much improved. There is hardly, a day passes but from twenty to thirty heavily laden pack-horses cross the Waiho bound for either Sandfly or Gillcspic's beachs. At the nomination for members of the Improvement Committee eighteen were proposed and nine selected, the two heading the list being Messrs Kennedy and Sweeney. These two are sure of being selected, as both are well known and respected; indeed, Mr Keunedy on the Manuherikia, Picton, and Hokitika, was well known, and made many friends ; and, from my own knowledge of Mr Kennedy, I must say that I know no man so very deservedly popular. The trade to the lake is progressing favorably, but a week or so will be necessary to complete it. Some miners on their way from Bruce Bay informed me that they picked up the bones of a man's foot on the beach below Gillespie's. and placed them on a rock. At Bruce Bay some bones of a human being wero also found on the beach. The want of police is much felt at the Five Mile, as, I am sorry tb say, rowdyism is very prevalent, and the peaceably disposed are oftentimes in terror. A death that ought to act as a warning to parties in the habit of indulging to excess in the use of alcoholic drinks, occurred on the beach south of the Waiho last week. The deceased, William Hart, a man- advanced in years, was drinking during the greater part of Sunday in tho store situated on the south bank of the Waiho. Towards evening he became very drunk, and about ten o'clock at night his mate ond a neighbor endeavored to drag him home to his tent, which was situated about six hundred yards from the store. With the assistance rendered him he was able to walk about half the distance, but after that he became unable to drag his legs after him. His companions went for a hand-barrow, and carried him home. After putting him to bed his mate and companion became alarmed, as he did not move, and looked very pale. They at once called in several neighboring miners, who, on seeing him, pronounced him quite dead. The unfortunate man must have been dead when his companions went for the hand-barrow. The authorities were at once informed of the circumstance, and next day a policeman and a packer arrived anil brought the body into OKarita, where

an inquest was held, and a verdict returned of " Death from excassive drinking." The deceased was an energetic hard-working man ; he leaves three children behind him, the eldest of whom, a boy fourteen years of ago, is apprenticed to a chemist at Nelson. On examining tha miner's right, found amongst the papers of decased, it nppears to have been taken out at Nelson, a few months since. A boat has been put on the Waiho, and the fare reduced to 2s. It is a very great convenience, and safe enough when the tide is in, but I must say when the tide is out it is very unsafe, for the current runs with frightful velocity, and should the rope break (and it is far too weak for the purpose), nothing could save tho passengers, as the ferry is not more than sixty or seventy yards from tho breakers. The boatmen on Thursday observed a very larg^o fish apparently stranded, and floundering amongst the breakers ; approaching cautiously, they managed to get a running noose round its tail. Having procured the assistance of several miners, and aided by the surf, the monster was, with great exertion, dragged on terra firma, where his struggles kept his captors at bay for a long time. It proved to be a whale, measuring fifteen feet in length, and is, I believe, of the bottle-nose species (nt least I should think so from the shape of its snout). It was killed by several stabs, and at present lies on the beach, where it is very probable it will remain and rot, as I believe the captors have not the necessary appliances for extracting the oil. I perceive by last week's Leader that you were informed several females were outraged the night the riots occurred a^ Bruce Bay. I believe your informant was labouring bndr a delusion, as I neither heard or saw anything of the kind, and I do not think it possible such could have occurred without my hearing of it — moreover there were only a few females in Bruce Bay. There certainly was a II scrimmugc" took place at the tent of ono "lady" and a gentleman who was stopping there was obliged to make his exit in n very undignified manner, namely, by cutting a hole in the back of the tent. The bluff at the north of the Five-mile is now rendered practicable for horses, even at high tide, a couple of enterprising men having cut a track over the bluff; they are about erecting a bridge over the river. The bluff I allude to is not the very long bluff immediately adjacent to Okarita, which is impassable at high tide for horses, and is likely to remain so, as it would take a large outlay to cut a track over thre miles of bluff. I hear that a Mr Keogh has been appointed Warden for the Bruce Bay district, and that he was a postmaster lately. I can assure you the miners would rather have no Warden than a man who knows more about selling penny stamps than about either law or raining. It is only a farce bringing mining disputes before a man who knows nothing about mining. I have seen quite enough of the incompetency and ignorance of the mining rulea displayed by Wardens on the West Coast to protest against any man being made a Warden who has not practical experience. At Greymouth last November I knew Warden llevell to grant a prospecting claim to four men on the north bank of the Teremakau of 300 x 100 feet, in direct violation of the rules, which state no claim shall exceed double the length of the breadth. I trust in future tho mining members will endea vor in the Council to see that no man without experience— but only because he may be the thirty-first cousin of some Christchurch "old identity"— shall be foisted upon the hardworking miners as a Warden. On the Five-mile the miners are doing as well as ever, indeed there is more gold getting on this beach than on all the south beaches put together. I consider Okarita is now sure of being as prosperous a place for many months as any town on the West Coast. May 6. I was unable to send you any report last week, in consequence of having crossed the Waiho on the Friday, and when returning on the Sunday I was unable to cross, owing to a flood in the river and a tremendous heavy surf which swept completely over the bar and nearly a quarter of a mile up the river. The boatmen certainly offered to put me across, but I could not see how, notwithstanding their assurances of perfect safety, Later in the day they attempted to cross, but were very glad to get the chance of returning, i The heavy surf did considerable damage on tho Five Mile, filling up a great many paddocks, and scattering washdirt over' the beach. Some of the paddocks thus filled hud taken weeks to sink. Mr. Keogh, the recently appointed warden at Bruce Bay, arrived hero laat night. In consequence of very few being loft at Bruce Bay he is, I believe, going to Hokitika for further instructions. The Government made a great mistake in sending a warden to Bruce Bay when the rush was over. It is at Gilfillan's Beach, twenty miles south of Okarita, whero a warden is required, and {where there is a population of 1500 miners. Mr. Inspector Broham paid us a visit lately, and promised that a police station should be erected at tho Five Mile. I beliove some of the constables at Bruce Bay, on their return thero, will bo stationed at the Five Mile. The accounts from Gillespie's Beach is of a very encouraging nature. I havo seen several parties lately, with whom I am well acquainted, and they all speak well of the prospects obtained. A great many new stores have been established, and nearly every day from thirty to forty packhorses leave Okarita and Five Mile for Gillespie's. The" late rush into the scrub at Gillespie's promises well ; some of the parties holding claims on the lead expect to make over 100 oz. a man. The accounts from Sandfly* aud Waiho beaches are also very satisfactory, several parties having sot in lately, and nearly all doing well. The business people have great hopes of the Lake district, but up to the present time nothing has been obtained to justify their expectations. A little coarse gold has certainly been obtained from time to time by isolated parties, but no large finds have ever been reported. The track is, now, however cut, and a month or so will decide what the Lake will do for the business people of Okarita. In consequence of heavy frost on the ranges and the heavy falls of snow on the higher mountains, the rivers are unusually low— even the Waiho can now be easily forded a few hundred yards from its mouth. The last I heard of the notorious Albert Hunt was » rumor to thp effect tUat lie bad

made his appearance at Peringa Bluff, eight miles below Bruce Bay, and succeeded in getting aboard a small craft, but I cannot vouch for the correctness of the report. A man known aa " German Charlie" was drowned last week at Hunt's Beach, whilst going to Bruce Bay in a whale boat ; the deceased was well known and is greatly regretted. The s.s. Bruce has been very busy all day towing vessels over the bar. She is making a fortune for her owners, as she has just towed out four vessels to-day. ' The butchers havo it all their own way, and are making hay whilst the sun shines with a vengeance. The price of beef in any quantity to miners is Is 9d and Is 6d per lb, and aa there are only two butchers on the Five Mile, whore thero are some fifteen hundred men, you may guess what an enormous trade these two butchers are doing. As a great compliment they will give a cut very close to the hoofs or horns at Is 3d. I hope some enterprising butchers in Hotitika will take this hint and come to our rescue, and retail meat at a fair and reasonable price. Besides the population on the Five Mile there are some four or five hundred miners scattered along the beach south for three or four miles.

On the 6th inst. the Spit presented a scene which fortunately has not been witnessed for many months. Piles of valuable merchandise—remainder of the cargo of the Maria, now lying a complete wreck— were scattered all over the beach. Bales and bags of horsefeed, anxiously looked for by expectant consignees— parcels even sold some time ago "to arrive"— were there but in such a condition that any animal with a well-regulated stomach would disdain to touch. Packages of what was once the finest-flavored congou were plen> tiful, but looking much blackened and musty from continual saturation in salt water. Cases of jam, broken and half empty, were by no means rare, from the contents of which the sweetness must, we fancy, have long since departed. Bags of flour, bearing unquestionable Adelaide brands, lay in a suspiciously caked state. Sugar, that once rejoiced in a pure, bright i crystal, now fast running into an inferior kind of molasses. Red cases were numerous enough, in which the bottles had so effectually put their heads together, that Her Majesty's Customs are likely to be heavy sufferers. Cases of beer were there that suggested the entire absence of every thing but glass and straw. While presiding over tho motley spectacle were the unfortunate owners of the salvage, looking as woebegone,and with good cause, as their goods. Captain Hepburn, of the William Mislcin, on his last voyage to Dunedin, stood close in to all the sounds along the coast, in hopes of discovering something of the missing schooner SangaHer, concerning which an advertisement has appeared in the West Coast Times for a considerable period. Excepting a couple of boats, which were observed as trading between the sounds, and the occupants of which refused to answer his signals, nothing whatever was seen of the objects of the search. The well-known paddle steamer Bruce arrived on the 7th inst. from Okarita. She brings files of the Okarita Times to the sth. Mr Keogh, warden at Bruce Bay, was a passenger by her. In reference to the condition of affairs at that place, the Times says : — <l Bruce Bay may now be said to have completely collapsed, for the warden, Mr Keogh, arrived here last night en route to Hokitika, as there was positively nothing for him to do there. When he left there were about a hundred persons remaining, all anxious to get away, and about half that number intended coming up overland at once. The police camp will be muved as soon as possible, and the desertion is complrte. On Saturday last a gale of wind rose suddenly and did great damage, blowing down stores and tents in any quaotity, amongst others the warden's tent. Several boats were destroyed, and the force of the wind may be imagined I when we are positively assured that two beats hauled up high and dry, were blown bodily on two others a little further up the beach, and the force was so graat that two of tho four were completely destroyed. Bruce Bay may now be said to have ceased to be talked of, and further reference to the last and greatest of mining delusions on the coast will in fnture be needless. Some time ago we drew notice to the enterprise displayed by a mercantile firm, who, at their own cost, laid down a substantial footpath in front of their premises in Weld-street. At the time, we remembered, that the fact was a very broad invitation to the Government that whatever shortcomings they might think proper to indulge in, they would surely recognise the common duties of citizenship, and do like their neighbours — as far as their own doors extended. The present disgraceful condition of Sewell-street, immediately in front of the Court-house Reserve, shows how gregiously we were mistaken. It is from the Court House to Weld-street a series of ruts several feet deep, filled with semi-liquid mud, through which no drayman with the slightest regard for his horse or conveyance would wish to go with any loading whatever. As tho only other means of access to the favored portion of tho town is by Weldstreet, which can boast of being even in a worse condition than Sewell-street, we heartily commiserate the condition of enterprising property-holders, or the moro unfortunate inhabitants of the locality. A further magnificent parcel— nearly seventeen thousand ounces— of gold, the produce of the West Coast goldfields, was shipped by the Lord Ashley for Sydnoy, on tho 4th inst., viz., 8350 ozs. fromllokitika, aud 8500 ozs. fvooi tbo Grey.