WESTLAND GOLD FIELDS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 97, 7 August 1866, Page 3

WESTLAND GOLD FIELDS.

By the steamer Kennedy, we have received "Westland dates to the 30th ultimo. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court, at Hokitika, have terminated. We make the following extracts : — By the steamer Lyttelton, which arrived from Okarita on Saturday morning, the Bank of New South Wales shipped 2,390 ozs. 11 dwts. and 17 grs. of gold ; and the Bank of New Zealand, 3,720 ozs. 15 dwts. and 12 grs. ; making a total of 6,101 ozs. 7 dwtd. anH 6 grs. of the precious metal. — Hokitika Chronicle, July 80. The Tararua, which sailed for Melbourne yesterday morning, took with her from this port 8,000 ozs. of gold ; 6,000 of which were shipped by the Bank of New South Wales, and the remaining 2,000 ozs. by the Union Bank of Australia. — Ib. It is most satisfactory to be able to announce that the rush to the New River continues to bear out the favourable opinion formed of it. Within the past two days, some four or five additional claims have been bottomed, the results in each case being highly gratifying to the owners. We hesitate to mention the very glaring statements which have been made to us ; but of this we are assured, that there is no doubt whatever of the new diggings proving as rich as any that have been yet opened on the West Coast. — Qrey River Argus, August 2. The steamer Wallaby on ber last trip from Nelson brought some of the finest cattle that have come to this market for a considerable time. The outward appearance of the cattle has been fully borne out by the splendid samples of beef which may now be seen in the butchers' shops. Two of the lot weighed respectively 1,100 and 1,080 lbs. The cattle were originally from Wanganui, which district is unrivalled for its production of fat stock. — Ib. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Hokitika, on Monday last, George Henry Chamberlain, John A. Carr, and James Aldridge, on remand, were charged with the theft of revolvers from the Police Camp. Constableß Dyer and Muller gave evidence against Aldridge and Chamberlain, and a fresh information was laid against Carr, for larceny as a police constable. The examination of witnesses elicited no fresh evidence against the prisoners. At the request oi the police they were further remanded until the Bth of August.— lb. Speaking of the rush at the New River, the Crretf Miver Argus, of tbe same date, says : — The rush is situated on a terrace about 300 yavda below the Cemetery, and about a quarter of a mile back from the beach. Several tracks branch from the old lead on the beach, so that no difficulty whatever exists in the way of finding the place. Tbe prospector's claim is situated at the north end of the rush, and the ground has been marked off for about a mile south of them. The prospectors, Knox and party, after bottoming a hole, obtained such prospects as induced them to commence taking down a paddock about twenty-five feet by twelve feet, which they expect to bottom at about twelve or fourteen feet depth. They declined to state what their actual prospects were, but, from information which we can rely upon, they had about 1J pennyweights to the bucket (or a half-pennyweight to the dish). The sinking is, of course, pretty much the same as on the lead. The grouud is covered with bush, but after this and the mass of roots have been removed, the work is easy and straightforward. The party next the prospectors, consisting of Jenkins and party, have bottomed three holes which proved to be duffers ; but, still having faith in the ground, they are sinking two fresh holes which they expect to bottom to-day. Many other parties are waiting to see the result of the prospector's paddock, and, should this be favourable, which the prospectors anticipate, it is highly probable the rush will become an important one. Its close proximity to the town, and the ease with which it can be reached, offer many inducements to miners, who, under such circumstances, can be content with moderate wages. A fatal, but somewhat singular accident (says tbe West Coast Times), occurred to a miner at the Totara, whilst sinking in a shaft in front of the Jones's Flat Hotel. As the ground was both deep and wet, it I was worked by night as well as by day ; and at six, p.m., on Thursday evening, thenightmen commenced operations. One of their number, named August Zelius, had the first spell below, and commenced sinking ; but, to the amazement of hiß mates, gave no signal for nearly an hour. Finding something had happened, one of them was lowered down, and there, in one corner of the shaft, found the unfortunate fellow doubled up, and bleeding profusely from a large wound in the bead. He waß at once removed to the surface, and Dr. Hudson called in, who found him still alive, but so exhausted through loss of blood, that there was no chance of saving him ; and although everything was done that medical skill could suggest, he breathed his last shortly afterwards. * It iB supposed thai the wound was caused by either a back stroke from the pick, or the falling of a stone from th# sid» of the shaft.