KANIERI,

West Coast Times, Issue 326, 9 October 1866, Page 2

KANIERI,

(fkom a correspondent.)

The news from this district has certainly for the last few days been of a slightly more encouraging nature. The Star Pumping Company which has been idle for the past week, and thereby compelled to idleness such a number of men, has at length started once more, aud with it the large engjno in Lyttelton street ; and ifc is to be hoped that by Monday all the claims will be hard at it. It is also contemplated to btart the machinery in connection with the three acre lease on Commissioner's Flat, and which claim and clftima have been so long f in a state of stutu q)io. The ground sluicing on the, terrace, in connection with the Pioneer and Alliance races, is progressing but slowly, which is entirely owing to' the insufficient and uncertain supply of water. There-is not the slightest doubt but could they get even a moderate quantity of water either night ,or day, and a quantity to be depended upon, the work would be vigorously prosecuted, and prove unquestionably remunerative. As it is, - once they have tested the ground, miners do not like to abandon it, and consequently much valuable time is lost, and very small returns of the metal obtained. However, we live in hopes/ that ere long, this, like many other ills,' will firtd a remedy. We are all anxiously awaiting news from the- prospectors up the Hokitika river : it will be two weeks to-morrow since the last party started, and whereever the locality is, it must be some distance ; they reckoning it would take themselves one week to reach the ground. At the same time we must hear ere long, I suppose, on account of the necessity of attending to the victualling department, &c. I assure you it was with no small feelings of regret that we heard the news relating to the chief clerk in the Post-office, many anxious hearts* wondering whether their money or moneys have safely left the shores of the West Coast or elsewhere. Of course we all know the habitual carelessness which, as a rule, is displayed by miners in sending money. by post,!and i» some cases— many of which lam cognisant of — money was merely put in an envelope without the slightest protection. But in all probability .the affair will soon be forgotten, like many other nine days' wonder. , There does not to be any unusual stir at Woodstock; ; but the few there seem very aanguine in regard to the success of the newly-formed Company on the Maori Reserve. Of one thing lam certain — that it will not be such a wonderful difficulty to dispose of the requisite amount of scrip ; but certainly every scUcme must get a fa^r start. The weather is most favorable for every description of workings, and a most agreeable variety to that of the same time last year ; and the next thing we require is, that the Deep Lead from the Ho Ho should be traced' right through Tucker Flat, aijd-4hence into the very heart of our township.