OKARITA.

West Coast Times, Issue 210, 22 May 1866, Page 2

OKARITA.

[from oun own correspondent] May 13. The news I have to send you is meagre iv the extreme, as nothing of importance has happened during the past week. A rumor, to the effect that parties were awaiting the arrival, from Hokitika, of our respected Warden, Mr Price, in order to apply for a prospecting claim, was very unwisely given currency to by tho local paper. As might be expected every one was on tho gui vivc, but on enquiries being made nt the Camp it turned, out that no prospecting claim had been applied for, but that two men had called and asked Mr Price what amount of ground prospectors were entitled to hold, llumor added that the great uew rush was four miles inland from Sandfly Beach, up the rivei', half a mile north (I. havo never heard any name for the samo river) of the Wyecupacup River. The consequence was a large number of men from Okarita and tho Five Mile Beach scampered off towards Sandfly ;Beaoh, to the great astonishment of tho "old identities" on the Waiho and Sandfly Beaches, who, like a flock of sheep, followed the leader, and ell pulled np at the stores, on Sandfly Beach, eagerly enquiring from tho amazed storekeepers whero was the great inland gold-field. Of course tho storekeepers could give no information, and the majority of the miners camped, awaiting the arrival of Mr Price and the prospector, as since tho far famed Hunt's Bruce Bay rush, MrPrice had stated his intention never again to grant a prospecting claim to any person on any consideration, without first prospecting the ground himself if within reasonable distance. Mr Price, or tho prospector, never made any appearance, and in a day or two all parties returned, cursing their own impetuosity in leading them such a fool's errand. From what I can learn, a party on the small creek on the Waiho beach had got a very poor prospect, and were "blowing" in some hotel at Okarita about it, when half-seas over ; hence' the cause of the rush. Although I have no startling news to send, I consider what I have is very satisfactory. The miners — some three or four thousand — scattered f rom Okarita to Hunt's beach (within eight miles of Bruce Bay), are all settled into work, and most are making wages, or at least a pound or two ovor tucker. I have no doubt there is a great quantity of gold brought into Okarita, but 1 am unable to sny what amount, as when I made enquiries from the manager of one of the Banks in Okarita, stating I was the representative of the West Coast Times, aud requesting information as to the amount of gold sold weekly, he distinctly refused to give me any information whatever. Winter is now upon us, the mornings and evenings being very cold, but tns days arc most glorious sunshine ; in fact, too wayin, and morp l|ko summer than

winter. Mr Price is still left in a miserable calico shed by the Christchurch Government, without a fire-place in the cold nights to solace himself by reading after a hard day's work in Court. I believe the inhabitants would willingly contribute to erect a proper placo for their Resident Magistrate, sooner than have such a disgraceful place for a " Temple of Justice," sleepinc and dining room, if the Government states distinctly it will not provide better accommodation. You were mistaken some two or three weeks ago, in stating that Hunt believed the ground where he applied for the prospecting claim was very poor. The fact is he wanted Mr Price to put in the prospecting notice a prospect of no less than half-an-ounce to the dish, which Mr Price, to his credit be it spoken, stoutly refused to insert, but put in from four to six grains to the dish. I knew the whole trutli from the commencement, but I did not wish to set all tho miners mad, and have them rushing here in thousands, only to bring misery and hardship on themselves. I am a miner myself, ( and know well how easily miners are deceived. The accounts from the Lake are by no means encouraging, but the publicans in Okarita are sanguine great finds will be got. I think thoy themselves ought to endeavor to find them, as they have nothing better to do. Some parties who were prospecting up the Waiho lately, have returned. They brought a little coarse gold down with them, and they say they believe good payable gold will yet be found in the snowy ranges, if properly looked after by a strong and well equipped party. The country is described as very precipitous, and the bush and scrub very hard to get through. lam of opinion next year will see splendid discoveries in the ranges, as this year gold is so easily procured on the beaches, men will not penetrate the bush. By next year the beach diggings will mostly be worked out, and the miners will be compelled to prospect the interior, where no doubt heavier gold will be found. It is the opinion of many parties that there is another layer of payable black sand below the water level, on the beaches; and I am acquainted with some parties who intend, in a month or two, to spare neither time nor expense to test the matter, by procuring 30ft. or 40ft. Californian pumps. lam not at liberty at present to give more information.

The English translation of the first volume of the imperial " Vie de Jules Cesar" has been a commercial success, and the publishers have forwarded to the agents of the emperor a sum much beyond the amount originally stipulated for the exclusive right of translation into English. The translation of the second volume is approaching completion. Old Lord Blphinetono was aßloop at church, whilo the minister, a very proay preacher, was holding forth. At length tho parson stopped, and cried, ' Waukin, my Lord Elphinstono.' — A grunt, aud then, ' I'm no sloopin' minister.' — ' But jo aro aloopin' I wager yo dinna k«n what I said laßt. I—'1 — ' Yo said, " Waukin, my Lord Elphhißtone." ' — ' Ay, ay, but I wagor yo dinna kon what I said last aforo that,' — ' I wager yo dinna kon yersel'.'