West Coast Times SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1866.

West Coast Times, Issue 378, 8 December 1866, Page 2

West Coast Times SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1866.

Yesterday afternoon Captain* Turnbull and Allardyce, accompanied by two coiihtables, proceeded to the South beach, lo search for the bodies of the poor fellows who were drowned in tho morning. Upon rcachiug a point abreast of Lagoon Town the whaleboat was discovered lying high and dry but very much injured, and, strange to relate, a tomahawk marked with tho broad arrow, and recognised by Captain Turnbull as one kopt in the boat, was picked up a little further on, having evidently been washed up by the surf. Tho party then followed the beach for nearly a mile and a-half, where their attention was directed to something floating on the surf. It was thrown up close inshore and then recognised as a human body, and from tho description of garments it was clothed in induced almost a certain belief in the mind of the captain that it was tho remains of William Martin, the bow-oarsman. Attempts were made to securo it — ono of the constables venturing brcasl-decp into the surf. The current, however, swept it away to the southward, and it was shortly lost sight of. The polico intend to watch the South beach closely to-day, as thero is every probability that one, if not bolh bodies, will be cast ashore. We understand that neither of the men was married. Agncw, aged 24, was a native of Bangor, a seaport town in Comity Down, Ireland. Martin belonged to Plymouth, and was over forty years of age.

The following memos. were supplied us by a gentleman just arrived from Okarlta : — During the pnst few weeks tho population -of that district has decreased by nearly 200, the desertion having been caused by exaggerated reports from tho Pakihi Goldfield. Okarita however, is very dull ; the stagnation both in mining and business matters which prevails there begets rostlessness and dissatisfaction in both sections of the community, extremely prejudicial to the interests of tho place. Rather, favorable intelligence has been received from the Haasl river, where some forty men are digging and getting very fair returns. Mr Schluter, who keeps a store there, arrived at Okarila some ten days a<;o, and on his way met a considerable number of miners proceeding to the Ilnust. According to his statement there is a large extent of auriferous beach in the neighborhood that would pay good wages if steadily worked. A heavy sea prevailed along the coast for several days last week, and in consequence thereof travellers were unable to round the several bluffs between* Okarita and Gillcspie'a boach. The punt, which for some time past has boon constructing is al last placed on tlie Okarita Lagoon, and no»v plyij regularly between Ihe north aud south shoivs. It provc3 of great convenience, especially to hoitcmon who ure no longer compelled to the dangerous practice of swimming their horses across. Our informant states that the district is very orderly, as no criminal business hos been transacted in tho Resident Magistrate's Court for nearly three weeks. Between four and five hundrod miner* are still working on the Five Mile Beach, but quite one hundred lately left it for the North. Tlie unfavorable weather -which prevailed during the latter part of last month brought .mining operations almost to a stand still, and it is feared that owing to this cause the exportation of gold for tho month will fall fur short of the average. There is plenty of unworked ground on the beach that would pay from L 4 to LG per week, but miners who have been accustomed to a weekly return of L2O to L3O reject with scorn such small wages, and urged on by the hope of striking another pile claim prefer rather to try their fortunes at the last new rush. A small* rush set in to .^ome new ground on the south side of Waiho river, where several parties are doing very well. The lend struck there appears to be a continuation jof the Five Mile Beach workings, as in the 'depth and peculiarities of the sinking, quality of the gold, &c, it precisely resembles the latter place. From L6to L 8 per week can be easily obtained al the Waiho rush. Nothing reliable has been heard of those parties avlio are known to be prospecting in the ranges. A report, however, is current of failure, and that several men struck in to the Waiho rush from the bush. They are supposed to be some of the disappointed ones. Our correspondent at the Buller informs us that tho township of Westport is steadily increasing in size, and that the rage for building is increasing. Business, however, continues dull, but strong hopes are entertained that a gold-field will be struck to tho north, that will prove the making of the town. On the 3rd inst. some men arrived at Westport from a river some 25 miles to the northward, whore, according to their Account, good wages could bo made, providing it was possible to obtain provisions without being compelled to pack them from tho Buller. The s Nelson Government have commenced building a new camp, aud anew wharf for shipping is also in tho course of construction. The latter is described as small, and likely to prove totally inadequate to meet tho requirements of tho port. Preparations to re-launch the s.s. Kcera are in a forward state, as tho ways aro ready, and were to be taken down to her at the end of this week. Wo arc compelled lo hold over our report of the Municipal Council till our next issue.