THE PAKIHI DIGGINGS.

West Coast Times, Issue 351, 7 November 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE PAKIHI DIGGINGS.

(FEOM THE GREY RIVER ARGUS.) *We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr Warden Kynnersley and Mr Kissling, Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, for some interesting information regarding the new diggings at the Pahi. Our previous intelligence is confirmed in many particulars, and the opinions we have expressed concerning the rush are also held by both the gentlemen mentioned above. The condition of affairs may be thus summed up — sufficient payable ground has been opened up to constitute the Pakihi tin established goldfield, and there are indications of the auriferous ground being extensive ; but it is equally certain that nothing up to the present time has been discovered to support anything like the large population now assembled Two leads have been opened up, the claims on which are very rich, in some instances rivalling those on the celebrated Darkies' Terrace. The first lead about 4^o yards from the beach, parallel with the coast, is about a mile and a quarter long ; the second one is about three miles further inland, and is about a mile long. On these leads about three hundred men arc getting gold, but the lead has in both instances been lost, and parties are now out prospecting to recover it. The sinking varies from six or eight to twenty feet, the washdirl being gr.uel mixed with black Band ou ft false bottom. Iv many in-

stances the miners are working on a coal bottom — a rather novel feature in gold mining. The coal affords ready fuel, and is of good quality. The population on the ground and scattered about the neighborhood is estimated at 3000 or upwards, the great proportion of whom are doing nothing. But it is satisfactory that as yet no great discontent has been made manifest, as a general feeliug of confidence in fresh ground being discovered prevails. Scarcely a day elapses without exciting rumors being circulated concerning fresh discoveries, as a great many parties are out prospecting in every direction, as far as the base of the ranges behind It is believed that some have struck gold, but there was no definite information at the time our informants left. A few miles to the north of the Pakihi there is a beach about eight miles long, on which several parties of miners are 'working and doing moderately well ; and, in fact, gold is found on several of tho beaches in quantities sufficient to pay .small wages — that is to say, will find a man in " tucker." The township, if such it can be termed, which has been established at the landing-place, contains eighteen or twenty stores, and other places are in course of erection. Although no official survey has been made, fancy prices are asked and paid for business sites. One Greymouth merchant j>aid LSO for a site on the be:ch on which to erect his store. Business is brisk, and owing to recent arrivals of goods, supplies are plentiful and moderately cheap We regret to learn, however, that the rowdy element has already made its appearance. A few days ago, owing to some trifling dispute, a number of riotous fellows threatened to pull down Mr Paul's store, and the " proprietor deemed it advisable to keep out of the way for a short time. Amongst such a concourse of men, without any police to preserve the peace, disturbances are to be expected, and we are told that every night scenes occur which make the place anything but a desirable location. We are glad to learn, however, that Mr I Warden Kynnersley is despatching a force of constabulary by the Kennedy. At present the supplies for the Pakihi are all derived from seaward importations, but the Nelson Government have commenced cutting a track from the Buller, which will bring the diggings | within about seventeen miles of Westport. In ordinary fine weather, however, cargoes can be landed without much difficuly at the Pakihi, and if proper surf boats were employed, it i.s probable that all the goods would be shipped direct. At present goods are lauded by ordinary boats and prams, which are, even in the most favorable weather, dangerous. The entrance to the small cove which forms the lauding place is through a narrow channel between two high rocks, and the sea rolls through the opening in heavy waves. Several accidents have already occurred and in two instances life was lost. On Wednesday, a boat in coming in struck against the rocks, and was immediately capsized, and one man" was drowned. The lives of three others were only saved by the bravery of one man, named, we believe, Beveridge, who, with a rope round his waist, dashed into the surf and rescued them. A deed like this should be brought under the notice of the- Royal Humane Society. Another accident occurred a day or two previous to a boat c.nning from the i Buller, in this case one man being drowned. Large numbers of men continue to arrive every day, both from the Inangahua and Grey districts, and places to the south. The diggings at the Inangahua are almost deserted, but at theLyall Creek there are a few parties remuneratively working Great preparations are being made for sluicing at the Pakihi, no less than twenty-five applications for water-races having been lodged with Mr Warden Kynnersley before his departure from the Buller. Some of them will have to bring water from a distance of two or three miles. The Buller township, or to designate it properly, Westport, has naturally felt the influence of the gold discoveries in its neighborhood, and is assuming considerable importance. Speculation in business sites is rife, and as much as L2OO and L3OO is asked for favored situations. We are given to understand that Mr Seed, the Superintendent of Customs, proceeds to the Buller to-day, for the purpose of making arrangements for constituting Westport a port of entry. We believe, also, that the Nelson Government is strongly disposed to make the Buller its head- quarters on the West Coast, and will probably carry out this idea should circumstances warrant the change. There are two bank agencies at the Buller — that Of the Bank of New Zealand, under Mr Kirton ; aud one of the Union Bank, under Mr Martin. A good deal of gold is finding its way to the Buller now — perhaps 500oz. to 700oz. weekly. We are told that the Karamea is again attracting attention: and that some fresh ground has been opened up in that direction. The Buller storekeepers are striving to do some vf the Pakihi trade, and several lots of good have been sent round in whaleboats, which dodge down the coast behind the various rocks, which break the force of the sea ; they get L 6 a ton freight. The above constitutes the best information to hand of" the new diggings, and our onlj- comment on it is that it should for the present stop any further

rush of population at the Pakihi. Should the rush continue in its present proportions, and no further discoveries be made, serious consequences will cerainly be the result.