OTAGO.

Press, Volume VII, Issue 744, 18 March 1865, Page 3

OTAGO.

The Bush to the West Coast.— The Dunstan correspondent of the Daily Times says :—The " rush to the Grey" absorbs universal attention. It is not to be expected that the nourishing accounts brought or said to come from the new Eldorado will realise the fond expectations fonnedby the sanguine individuals who are rushing off there in such hot haste. The prevailing account that all the miners there are making from one to seven ounces per day, is too good to be true, and must in the eyes of any sensible man who has ever followed mining as an occupation, appear ridiculous. AU that we have heard yet is by private letters, which very few have actually seen, and considering their contents are constantly being handed about frommouthtomouthbyaclasß easily excitable, and possessing a very vivid imagination, and who generally speak as they wish rather than as they anticipate, these glowing accounts may be very considerably moderated—never-

theless the diggers are rushing off in great; haste, and disposing of shares in claims yielding a handsome living for absurdly small sums. At the Dunstan creek, Manuherikia and Kawarau, shares in racing and sluicing claims', yielding from ten to twenty pounds per week, are being sold for thirty and forty pounds. Meeting a mining acquantancethe other day at the Manuherika, I found him in such a hurry to be gone, that he was actually giving up or rather abandoning a good claim, not being able to find a purchaser, merely giving as his reasons for going, " that although he did not actually believe the glowing accounts said to be contained in private letters, yet a good rush was very much wanted- —the Wakamarina was certainly a failure, but he believed in the * Grey, , and should go their at all risks." DirffEDor Races.—We are requested by the Secretary of the Dunedin Annual Races, to remind owners of horses, that nominations for the Dunedin and Metropolitan Handicaps must be forwarded on or before this day week, the 21st instant, the postmark of that date being requisite for acknowledgment by the stewards. Entries for all other events are to be made on April 3rd. Notwithstanding the late publication of the programme by the Managing Committee, and the doubts expressed by a few people as to any meeting coming off this year, a goodly number of thorough-breds are already at work on the SuVerstream course. It is reported that private information has been received to the effect that Miss Lee, Egrelnont, Ellesmere, Stormbird, and one or two other Canterbury horses of note, will take part in the races, and there is every appearance of the stable accommodation near the course being early completely taken up. Amongst the known horses already in active exercise at Silverstream, may be mentioned Mignonette, Post-Boy, Hen wick Lad, Rambler, G-allopade Filly, Types, Maxwell, Doctor, Shillelah, Antonelli, Sir Tatton, and Prince. — Daily Times, March 14. Rifle Association.—A special general meeting of the Otago Rifle Association was held last night in McCubbin's Hotel, for the purpose of electing a President and 'VicePresident' for the ensuing year. Mr Fish, jun., occupied the chair, and there was a limited attendance of members. For the office of President, his Honor the Superintendent and Mr. John Cargill were nominated. On - the ballot being taken, his Honor the Superintendent was declared elected. For the. office of VicePresident of the Association, Mr. John Cargfll and Mr. Mason were nominated. Mr. Cargill was elected. There was no other business before the meeting. The Chairman announced that the Council had arranged a series of rifle matches to take place next month, the programme of which, will shortly be published. The proceedings, were brought to a close by a vote of thanks to the Chairman:— l bid.