LATEST FROM THE WEST COAST.

Press, Volume VII, Issue 799, 22 May 1865, Page 3

LATEST FROM THE WEST COAST.

[From the West Coast Times, May 13.] A man named Samuel Chambers was admitted to the hospital on Monday last, suffering from paralysis of the right side of the body, including paralysis of the tongue, so that he cannot speak. This arose from concussion of the brain and spinal cord, caused by the fall of a mass of earth and stones on him, while he was working in his claim at the Hau-hau or Three-mile Creek, on Friday, sth. Another man, named Herman Bugglin, was admitted on Wednesday, with fracture of lower jaw in two places, together with two large wounds on the chin and lower lip, caused by the kick of a horse at the Six-mile on the week previous. We learn that both men are doing well. The favorable opinion we have entertained and expressed of the future of the West Coast has received confirmation by the very highest authority that Canterbury —or, indeed, New Zealand—possesses, Dr. Haast, Provincial Geologist. We regret that until the report of that gentleman on the Hokitika field, the Waimea, &c., is published by the Canterbury Government, we are unable to give full particulars, and can therefore only inform our readers that Dr. Haast speaks in the highest terms of this field, and expresses his opinion that quartz reefs will be readily found, and heavier alluvial deposits further back towards the ranges. He likens the country to the Ural, which has been worked by the BussianGovernment for years, and has yet shown no signs of exhaustion. We are glad to cite an authority so well known and respected in support of our own opinions, and those business men who have speculated largely here will doubtless feel all the better for hearing that the goldfield is likely to prove of permanence and value.

Though, like all new goldfielde, HoMtika cannot complain of a dearth of hotels, yet till very lately they partook more of the character of grog shanties than the ambitions

titles they .assumed, and with the exception of providing liquors, offered little other accommodation to their visitors. We are happy to observe, however, that the energy and enterprise of a few hotelkeepers have engendered a worthy spirit of emulation; and the essentials of an hotel are not considered now, as heretofore, a yard of canvas and two poles. One of the best yet erected has just been opened, and from its appearance and good situation must enjoy a considerable share of patronage, as it certainly is deserving. We allude to the Empire, opposite the Camp, and owned by Messrs. Hoyt and Osborne, from Dunedin —two names known to almost every one on the field. We are not aware whether the stock of the Empire includes those astonishing transatlantic drinks supposed to be the pride of Brother Jonathan ; but from the " go-a-head" characteristics of the proprietors we believe that, should the demand exist, they will as willingly and readily supply mint julep, stone fence, thunder and lightning, eye closer, leg entangler, &c, &c., as they do P.B. j or colonial. Among other attractions we must not forget to mention the billiard-room, which is really a gem, and affords a pleasant lounge.

Tfatfc£&

Mining affairs in lEhis district have been rather dull of late, in consequence of the continued bad weather; but, " it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good," for while the holders of river claims have been swamped out, those working on the terraces (some of which are turning out first-rate), or in the gullies, have had sufficient water for sluicing operations. The yield of gold still continues to be good. Prom ten to twelve pounds a week are considered good wages, but in some of the back gullies, many are doing much better. I am personally acquainted with several parties whose claims have turned out from two to three hundred a mau. The best of the ground about here is taken up at the present time; but as the diggings extend, I confidently anticipate larger escorts, and increased population. The great event of the last few weeks, has been the alteration in the size of the claims taken up in the early part of the rush. The pioneers of the West Coast Groldfields,atr the Grey, Greenstone, Teramakau, Waimea, &c, held meetings, and in some cases appointed committees, and the miners in every case agreed that the size of the claims should be 172 x 72 feet per man. This state of affairs asted until the arrival here of the Warden. On the 2oth of March, a notice, bearing that gentleman's signature, was posted at the Camp, declaring that all claims taken up after that date should be 45 x 45 per man, but that all claims previously occupied would be allowed to remain as they were. This gave universal satisfaction, as it was generally admitted that the men who opened the goldfield had a right to a larger area of ground than those who arrived later. But on the 27th of April the obnoxious edict was made known in the Warden's -Court, doing away with the 72 feet claims. Then ensued a scene of jumping that baffles description; followed in its turn by a general rush to the Warden's office. The affair stands thus at present: some talk of appeal to a higher court; others of a memorial to the Government; but I believe that no active steps have yet been taken in either case.

The long talked of new track is nearly finished, and hopes are entertained that it will be open for horse traffic in a few days. This, it is expected, will reduce packing to 25s per hundred. Provisions are gradually getting cheaper: flour is £2 the 501b bag; bread is 3s the 41b loaf; beef, Is 6d per lb ; butter, 3s; sugar, Is 3d; bacon and ham, 2s 6d.

THE PIYE-MTLB BTTSH

The Five-mile rush (junction of the Kanieri and the Hokitika rivers), is becoming an extensive place, for so short a time since its discovery. The prospectors, and party, obtained from the first dish three pennyweights, and from five buckets of dirt, from the bottom, obtained 18 dwts. ' Every hole has struck gold more or less, and some parties are doing very well. The depth of sinking in the prospectors' cfritn is 15 feet, and it is their intention to slab thejbr shaft and drive, instead of paddocking. Their claim will take over cix months to work out.

The township is progressing far beyond what I had anticipated, and the diggings are extending in that neighborhood in every direction, with every prospect of profit and permanency. Baces are being formed for sluicing, which will pay well when a proper system of working is adopted. One man assured mc that he and his mates had twelve months , work in their claim, at the rate of about an ounce to the. load, and they found gold in the top of the clay which they are to puddle. There is a brickfield formed by the side of a race and dam, where there is abundance of really good clay. Several good stores are getting up, a billiard-room is about to be established* there is a baker's oven at work, and two others in course of erection. The 41b. loaf is sold at 2s; several butchers , shops are also to be found, and good mutton can be purchased at Is 4d per lb. the forequarter, and Is 6d the hindquarter, and the digger can live from £-1 to 25s per week. Of course this is in a great measure due to the water instead of land carriage, and even this.rate will yet be reduced by getting better boats.. If a small steamer of light draught and good power were obtained the- river might be found navigable for "", a . considerable ! distance, and I understand the old Nugget or Alexandra is. on her ~ way here front the Wakatipu Lake. This river and its various branches will, no doubt, be found auriferous, and a great quantity of good timber and available land wifl ; be iound near its banks, ac well as in the interior of the country. The diggers are now extending their operations towards the north, and some have found gold towards the Three Mile. I presume that as gold has been

found in payable quantities on both sides of the Hokitiki, and is worked for several miles to the north, that a payable belt runs from north to south for a considerable distance on this side cf the main range. As this is so near Kokitika, any one can go and judge for himself as to the diggings, the timber, and the soil.

Timber is now being supplied from Hokitika, as there are no sawyers on the ground; but some are now going up and will be at work in a few daye. Were an efficient sawmill established, not only the Kanieri would be supplied, but Hokitika also be rendered independent of imported timber, and there can be any amount of water power got from the rirers as well as the small streams. This rush, on the whole, appears to be an extensive and permanent poor man's diggings; and if miners join in large parties they are sure to do well.