MOHIKINUI.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 447, 6 January 1869, Page 2

MOHIKINUI.

(from otjb. own- copbespondent.) Mohikinui, like many other quiet places on this coast, though deprived oi its once bustling population, and though reduced to the closest semblance to Goldsmith's deserted village, has yet a small scattered population who labor with a cheerful contentment for their regular weekly gain. During the last week, there has been a little talk about the Karamea, and. the report is that several of the miners there are making fair wages. In consequence of this, some fifteen to twenty miners have started in that direction, after spending their Christmas holidays in town. There is a large number of beaches or terraces between the Mohikinui and the Karamea supposed to be payable, were water once laid on. On the North Terrace Humphrey and party are bringing in a race which they expect to have completed in about three weeks. Their expectations are not very exalted, being contented with a hope of earning from £4 to £5 per week, which, from the appearance of the stuff, they are likeh in the minimum to realise.

The coal mine here is now in excellent working order, with no scarcity of coal. Hundreds of tons can now be taken out in a few weeks, were there sufficient demand. The fresh shaft lately sunk has been of great advantage, and a tramway has recently been laid down from the mine to the river. It is to be hoped, at no very distant date, the shareholders will be enabled to lay a tramway down all the way to the township, which would not only be a convenience to vessels loading at the port, but would be a great saving on the expense, and, consequently, in the price of the «oals, as at present ten shillings per ton is charged for boating the coals from the tramway down the river. The price obtained at present from the township is 25s per ton. Two new enterprises are started here worthy of mention. Messrs. Gardner and Case have commenced to build a new topsail schooner, and have sawn up the wood, procured the necessary ironwork, and are getting her thoroughly under way. She is to be 52 feet long with 13 feet beam. They expect to have their work finished, and the new Mohikinui schooner

ready for launching, in two or throe months. The second new local industry is a fish-curing establishment. Mr Harry Hill has erected on the piece of ground once known as the Custom House reserve, a house or kiln for smoking fish. Already there has been a good number of mullet and eels cured in this new house, and they will most likely be offered in the Westport market in a few days. It is reported here that the steamer Wallabi is coming up for a cargo of coals, and Mr Annett has gone to Westport with the view of replenishing stock by this means of carriage. The Wallabi can get loaded up here easily just now, and the bar is very good.