THE WEST COAST.

Evening Post, Issue 11, 20 February 1865, Page 3

THE WEST COAST.

The cutter Wild Wave arrived from the diggings on the 12th inst. Captain Smith rep6rts that at the Grey he found great difficult in unloading his vessel, as all the men had left for the new rush at Okitiki, On the whole, the yield of gold seems to be plentiful, the diggers all appearing to be satisfied. A township formed of wood and iron structures is rapidly arising. The hank of New Zealand was fobbed of about £1400 j this taakes the second bank robbery. The inhabitants are loudly exclaiming against the .apathy of the Canterbury Government, in not taking steps to organise proper means of protection for life and property ; the police ere unremitting in their exertions, but through their limited numbed they arc power less. Wages average 30s a day, and Captain Smith was obliged to pay a large sum to the men who brought back his craft. He disposed of his cargo to great advantage, and purposes returning on the 24th inst., as he is chartered again. We hear that several vessels will be laid on for the diggings immediately. The new rush is an old river. Captain Sniith has brought some samples of very superior coal from the Grey : it is said to be .used by the steamers in preference to %he Australian coal. There appears to be no 'Tack of provisions, which are retailed at comparatively moderate prices, flour 1 fetching £36 pet ton, ham ° is 6d, cheese Is 29' and fresh mean 8. The other articles are sold at prdv portionate prices. A jetty is ' in course of erection^ the Nelson Government, whjo are deriving all thfe benefit from the trade to 'the West Coast. The steamers* Wallaby and Nelsjn trade regularly ; they bring passengers each time, but as a general rule, on arriving at the gold-fields, they are obliged to make the return trip short handed. — Lyttelton Times.