OKARITA.

West Coast Times, Issue 228, 12 June 1866, Page 2

OKARITA.

(FBOM OUB OWN COBREBPONDBNT.) There has been no mining news of importance this week, and no fresh discoveries. All the miners are steadily settled in to work, and very few indeed are seen wandering along the beach. I consider the absence of miners tramping to aud fro is a rery favorable sign of the prosperity of the district.

One sign of the steady progress of the district is the fact of the local newspaper here having been enl^ge^'to double its original sizq 5 ,it ia now, called the " Westland Obg'e'rVej* aiia'Oka^ka^jMs, I,'1 ,' and is fully -48 Wca pV^he v la^ &\fs sss£n and mining w^'C; sußnende.(L to cpn'BeQu6a|«|.of i tf«ttl?^6tirgfale'of'wMa ana W^l/4^; llgttj) yr&vphered in by frighli|ujl f g^^pf *"*^M&y OP.o0 P. ou £ h IP t^kq.i^ajn|kht| feet^Vjuritra rain absoliitely'<JftfaOte:^Rm^ sheets. Of water* ul?h6 rJye^XQae ji't,Q&CßJ\ and alljtcfif^^lpDg^^hea^'^i suav,, ponded for a day /or two/, Jtti' the 'evening'" the wind and UWmkftU cloua^ persed, and tlra hiOott R&sin appeared tiri*' sullied by a^UM? &'qH agaitt/lro'sty; weather has set irij, and the ojomls arV warm and bright)., ', i\~rtl V' 6 Jit i V . The following return, of ,tbe iraount of gold shipped bj the^K#(^:s^£ February 23rd to May 19th wiU^W/your readers what an important place Okavita is : —

The population of the Five-Mile has considerably decreased, in cousequence of a large number of front beaoh claims being worked out. Some fortunate fellowi have cleared out with from LBOO to LIOOO a-man. Old Joe and his mates made over LI 7OO aman in two or three months. At the south-end of the beach, the lead ia deep and wot, but the richness of the ground along the entire lead has induced the partied holding claims at the south end to set into work manfully, and I noticed this day a splendid n^w Californian pump being carried down, in order to enable the parties to overcome the water.

At last the Govornment has been shamed into providing a proper Court House for this district. The foundation of a wooden building is now complete, and iv a week or two the building will be completed. I see no sign, however, of a proper residence being mado for our Resident Magistrate. From up the Waiho some very nice coarso goltl has been lately obtained, one piece weighing over an ounce. Two parlies having set in with a will have .obtained the necessary grants from the warden for water-races, and constructed the same. They are. now in-full working order, and intend to, remain. I havo no doubt next year valuable discoveries will bo made up the Waiho Valley— nay, the snowy mountains will be trodden for the first time by the foot of man, and I hope golden harvests will repay the adventurers. For several miles north of Ouarita there are a few parties at work, but nothing very general hns been obtained ; at the same time tho parties are making a pound or two over tucker, and appear dotermiued not to run about any more. The. fact is, tho minors' know the wet weather muy soon be expected, and they are glad to «et in where they can bo comfortably settled down during the wet weather, nnd save a little to prospect the interior during next Spring. Another sign of the advancement of this district, is the establishment of a brewery in Wharf-street by Messrs Blouser and Strachun. The ale is very good for colonial, and parties who like a 11 drop of good beer," can obtain the same at a very reasonable price. The share on the Five Milo lately owned by the deceased Pierre Rouzier, whom who remember died suddenly lately, was put up by auction by Chapman and Co.. and realised £210. The river emptying itself out of the Five Mile beach lagoon is now spanned by a light and elegant bridge. The bridge was erected by Mr Blanchard of tho Five Mile, at a cost of £400. It is a very great convenience, and I- havo no doubt it will prove a very good speculation.

(February 23rd -4000 March 9th 1760 „ 19th 3430 „ -26th 1350 April Ist 2573 „ Bth 2000 „ 18th 5267 May 2nd- 4082 „ 13th 3613 „ 19th 1000 uwia. 0 0 0 0 11 0 17 6 5 0 0 0 8 0 11 0 0 20 10 0