WEST COAST GOLD FIELDS.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 782, 7 November 1865, Page 2

WEST COAST GOLD FIELDS.

(From the Hokitika Leader, 27th October.) THE GREY. Greymouth, 24th Oct. Mining affairs here continue very satisfactory, and the accounts from the Arnold, Red Jacket, Nobbier, and. Twelve Mile are very encouraging. During the past week business has been brisk, the up-country storekeepers having purchased supplies freely ; and r .there seems to be little scarcity of the needful. While writing you, news has just arrived that a first-rate claim on the Arnold, about three miles from the old diggings, has been opened, and attracted a rush ; also a rush this -morning to about four miles beyond Red Jack's, which, I feel confident will be right, as the parties who have been there some time and getting their supplies gradually, came down yesterday and purchased largely. The rush to the north attracted a thousand or two -who visited the place,, but none were so fortunate hitherto as the prospectors, who certainly have got a golden claim. In the. waßhdirt which

they showed me, and which was taken indiscriminately, the precious metal was glittering ; they (three of them) were taking about seven to eight ounces a day,—using mercury, as the gold is exceedingly fine. Parties who are experienced in the matter, and who have been further up the coast, say that gold exists and payable from the Grey to the Buller, and that the country only wants opening up. Should such prove to be the case, it will be fortunate, as supplies are easily obtained, the diggings being contiguous to the sea beach.

The new diggings, south of the Grey, where the celebrated one hundred weight was obtained, are right ; and the parties now engaged there are doing well and making good retiirns, in fact, considering the facilities of the place, as good as any on the West Coast. Stores and public houses are being put up in the usual rapid colonial way, and packers are making their little "pile" in a very nice comfortable way. During the past week, the -weather has been very changeable, and heavy freshets have been in the river ; during one of which, on Saturday, Messrs Batty and Co.'s coal-boat, which had been loading at the pits, capsized, and the four men who were managing her were immersed, but fortunately no loss of life ensued ; the boat was afterwards recovered (having nearly drifted to the mouth of the river) by some of the ferrymen, who "with great difficulty, and the aid of a line from one of the vessels lying at anchor in the river, brought her to shore. The improvements going on here are most encouraging, and show neither a -want of spirit or capital on the part of the residents of the Grey. Large and extensive stores are rapidly rising, and though comparison may be invidious, they are not excelled by the older township of Hokitika. The amusements here are scanty, and were it not for a spirited gentleman, the proprietor of the Union (Mr Kilgour), there would be nothing to ? afford the relaxation which one enjoys in the evening after a day's toil. Here he has erected a large hall, similar to the Corinthian Hall in Hokitika, where Miss Annie Beaumont, Professor Parker, and a talented company are drawing crowded audiences. I may mention that all the land at present cleared by the Government, extending from the Maori township to the bridge leading to Blaketown, has been taken up, and every foot of ground in the Maori township has been sold. There certainly are a few allotments in the hands of speculators, who intend having a profit, and I think they will get their price before the week is past. On the Cobden side a wharf is in course of erection, which will be u great convenience to the steamers loading their supplies of coals. From the numerous arrivals of both steamers and sailing vessels, along with their several departures, and the crossing over of almost every I one who coiild afford time to visit the new rush up the coast (about a mile and a half from the mouth of the Grey), this place presented really a lively appearance, and one calculated to impress a new arrival with every feeling of confidence ; and which, so far as regards my own opinion after mature inquiry, would not be misplaced. HOKITIKA. Some fresh discoveries have been made at the Kaneiri and Totara. One of Cobb's coaches, plying between the Grey and Hokitika, was swept away while crossing the Saltwater Creek, and the driver, a man named Smith, lost his life. IVo of the horses were drowned, but the leaders managed to get free from their traces, and swam ashore. The coach -was carried out to sea. Fortunately, the passengers had crossed in the ferry-boat.