WEST COAST.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXI, Issue 2613, 2 December 1865, Page 5

WEST COAST.

Bv the arrival of the schooner 'Excelsior,' at Ouebunga, yesterday, we have news from Hokitika to the 251h November inclusive. The followiug scraps of news may be interesting :—: — The ichooner ' Mount Alexander,' says the West Coast Timtt of the 25th ultimo, has reached the climax of her misfortunes. She was towed out ou Tburiday, for the purpose of proceeding to Mel. bourne for overhaul aud repairs, but it was found that the was rapidly making water, and, when tbreast of the coast, about eight miles louth of Hokitika, the captain determined to beach her, This ho did; but the heavy surf 1 oiling ou shore the whole of yesterday has, we believe, rendeied her a, total wreck. It was found that it wonld cost moie to float the steamer ' Uno off the beach at the Grey than her value ; and she had been abandoned. Her wieck would be sold. A Wesleyan Church w»s to be opened at the diggiugs on the 26th ult. The steamers 'Souchays' and 'Barwon' are to ply fortni£;htly between Melbourne aud Nelson, tr*ushipping goods for Hokitika at Nelaon, from i\heuce they will be conveyed in small steameis. A rush is leported at the Total a river, ten miles north-east from Ross. The rush was caused by six men, who had prospected the district for four weeks, found 3^ ounces of gold, and applied for and obhined four claims. A second rush is reported on the Eea beach, five miles south of the Mokinui liver. 300 men are now at work cradling the sand, and said each to be earning 15s. to 30s per day. It is reported that two small schooners, laden with provisions, had crossed the bar of the Oktuitn, and sailed up towards the diggings. 'I heir an ival will be welcome, as the stoics there lately sold flour at 2s. Cd, per pound, and other articles in propoition. 'Ihe floods appear to destroy the prospects aud labours of many miuers. Sluicing appears to pay best, when the dams are not washsd away, which is a too common incident.