THE WEST COAST.

Bruce Herald, Volume II, Issue 49, 16 March 1865, Page 10

THE WEST COAST.

By the Geelong, p.s., Captain Tumbull, which arrived last night (Friday), faom Lyttleton, we have dates to the 9th inst'. The Geelong, however, brings no later tidings regarding the West Co^st. The" ' Lyttleton Times ' gives a full report of a publio meeting in connection witli the new field, The llev. W. Willcock, Dr. ' Dudley, Messrs J. Beswick, M.F.C., G. (X Porter, Bickman, M.P.C., G. C. Black, W. C. Beswick, A. A. Dobbs, &c, were on the platform, and Dr Dudley occupier the chair. The following resolutions were passed:— "That this meeting hear with great satisfaction the expressed intention of the government immediately to open up communication with the West Coast goldfield." That this meeting respectfully call the earnest attention 4f the government to the expediency of improving the road to the West Coast, by way of the Hurunnui, to meet the emergency created by so many persons passing in that direction; at the same time, this meeting distinctly recognises the desirability of finding a better road, if such Gan be= discovered." ** That under any circumstances the present road will necessarily be- used for the conveyance ©f stock and produce from the^ extensive- and important district through- which it passes, and that it would be money well' spent in any event." The c Press/ says the government have announced that they had taken steps for appointing a resident magistrate, a warden, and a mining surveyor; that a gold escort would start in a few days ; tlxat Mr Rolleston was about to- go himself to superintend the starting of the departments of the government, and to cull at. Wellington on his way to arrange with the general government for the establishment of a Custom-house and postal service; that a : competent engineer was to start shortly to get the track cut through so as to expedite- the passage of the 1 gold escort, and that Captain Gibson was to go round to see what can be done- to render' the navigation of the bars as safe- as possible 1 .. The information as to Mr G. Dobson's expedition to open up the Waimakariri route was repeated; but- a piece of. information was given by Mr W. Wilson which, to our mind, settles the question of this' route. He stated that an; experienced digger, named Hunt, had prospected the Oteira Valley, and describes it as mostly open grass ]and. If this Ihe true, Mr Dobson's work is verp trifling, and the route will be. oj>en in a few days. The excitement consequent upon the openIng of a new goldfield, and the usual rush thereto, ia : making itself more apparent ih Kaiapoi every day. Nothing else is talked of. The usual business of the town is at present but a secondary consideration.. The crowds of diggers constantly passing through the town, on coach or on foot, is something astonishing. It is computed that not less than a thousand diggers have passed through during the last eight or ten days, 'en route ' to the West Coast. .-This day (Wednesday), up to three o'clock, • ten vehicles?,, three of which belonged to Cobb and C 0.., loaded with «liggers and their swags, have driven through the town, which, added to those who," either by choice or from foace of circumstancos, have decided upon tramping tho distance, vfill make at least a total of 120 diggers in one day. As yet we have not heard of 'any ffepartures from; Kaiapoi; but from the intense excitement felt,, we expect shortly to have a diminution in the number of our" surplus labor, and also 6f the employed. People are merely waiting for news as to the probable lasting properties of the p-resent sfoldfield, . . \i