THE BIG RIVER RUSH.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 543, 17 August 1869, Page 2

THE BIG RIVER RUSH.

The news from this rush has been of such a meagre character that none of the steam-boat agents havo thought it worth while to lay on their boats, or to pay a passing call at West Wanganui during the past week. A correspondent of the Nelson Evening Mail writes as follows, contradicting the exaggerated reports, published in the early stage of the reported rush : In your paper of the 27th ult. it is reported that 300 men are on the ground, and that 70 of them are doing well and the others satisfied with their prospects. The Colonist and report that 130 oz. were obtained in a few days by a party of four or five men, but these reports are false, and must have been supplied to

the press from interested motives. The facts are as follows: —There are about 250 men on the rush, not more than forty of whom are on payable ground, making from one ounce to three ounces per week per man. The operations are confined to the prospectors' creek—even there several claims are deserted; and up to the 30th ult. no new ground had been discovered. Most of the Collingwood diggers have returned to. their old claims. There were about 25 natives on the ground; twenty of them have returned, the others remaining to look after miner's rights, the diggings being on their land, which consists of a block twenty miles square. I have heard many old diggers say that it was a very likely-looking country for gold, and they are determined to give it a fair trial, it is therefore probable that some good ground may be discovered soon, particularly as there are two stores in the neighborhood with plenty of provisions, which they sell at the following low prices : Elour, per 100 lbs. -£l 10 0 Tea, per lb. - - 0 4 0 Sugar " - - 0 010 Ale & spirits, per glassO 0 6 Tobacco, per lb. - 0 S 0 There is nothing to justify the present rush, although the prospectors, six; in number, got gold to the amount of £l3B in eight days. The Colonist and Examiner have converted the above amount into 138 ozs. Such reports only tend to mislead the public.