WEST COAST INTELLIGENCE.

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 119, 31 May 1866, Page 3

WEST COAST INTELLIGENCE.

I^rofes^dr T^eumayer, of Melbourne, the illustrious meteorological observer, purposes at jvn early date risking the West Coast, in the interests of the Victorian G-dvernment.

House Ekjjt at Hokitika. — Tho " Times" says : — " We may draw the attention of speculators to the great demand that at present exists for house accomodation. Two roomed cottages, we learn, are letting at from fifteen shillings to twenty-five shillings per week, and four-roomed dwellings, in convenient situations, at double these rates. When it is homo in mind that taxes of every description are unknown, and a great many of the owners of such domiciles have paid nothing for the land on which they have built, the profits accruing must be very considerable indeed. It ii a matter of surprise that tenantable cottages are not built in greater plenty."

Mixing. — The " Leader of the 17th instant says : — " The news from the various mining districts during the past week has not been marked by any features of an exciting description. The reports received from the various golclfieldd, although highly favorable, tell of old ground being worked with unexpected success — of extensive races being commenced or finished — of machinery being erected, furnishing profitable employment to great numbers of miners, who would otherwise have been idle — rather than recording the opening up of new ground or the setting in of any now rush. During the last week or two complaints have been numerous of the continued scarcity of water on nearly all the diggings. Tho miners on the Hau llau seem to be the greatest sufferers in this respect. Muny on that field have large quantities of stuff stacked but without the water necessary in washing up. On the terraces several sluicing parties are prepared to begin washing up as soon as the pluvial supply comes to their aid, otherwise (he goldfields on the Hau Hau Creek are flourishing at a pace that is visible almost daily. It is evident, from the direction of the main lead, that theso diggings will ultimately form a junction with the Kanieri, by way of Tucker Flat, towards which they tend. Should our surmise prove correct, we have no hesitation in affirming that, combined, they will constitute a district unequalled for richness and extent in the history of the goldfields of New Zealand. From the southern goldllelds the intelligence to hand is quietly assuring. G-illespie's and Hunt's beaches support a limited population of miners who are making such returns as prevent them forsaking their eluims to go prospecting — yet so little above wages, that should the sinking going on inland turn out as good as expected, the beach claims will bo quickly deserted. From the Fivc-mileat Okarita, we learn that all was going on prosperously, until a high flood washed the sea into their claim s, carrying off quantities of washdirt, and doing considerable damage otherwise to the mining interests. At Kosstown, raining affairs have for a long time, and do now raise our even tenor of success which has remained undisturbed bv the injudicious migrations from other fields which late rushes have induced. The various fields which collectively form the Knnieri, are reported as being in a high degree remunerative. The drawback to working the claims in that district, which have so long retarded its progress, have at length been removed by the introduction of machinery. The confidence with which, since the first discoveries of gold on the West Coast, minors have regarded this field, is meeting ita reward by results which are exceeding tho expectations of the most sanguino in the place. Altogether there exists more reason for congratulation on the present aspect of the different goldfields. If the late rushes have clone nothing better, they have induced the miner to settle down more steadily than heretofore to ground always payable, and often in diggei-3' phrase, securing one a " pile." Later telegraphic news reports thnt Mr \V. H. Blacken, tho proprietor of the Queenstown Hotel, in resisting a roudy assault in his house, inflicted wounds on a miner named Connell, who died on the 23rd inst. from the effects thereof. An inquest was held on the 25th, when tho jury returned an open verdict ; and Bracken was released. He was subsequently arrested on a charge of manslaughter. He was remanded till Monday last (28th instant), bail accepted in L1000. Bracken's brother was alsojarrested but bailed inLlOOO. A Monday's telegram to Dunedin " Daily Times" says : — " In the case of Bracken, on a charge of manslaughter, in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Mr O'Loughlin and Mr Button threw up their briefs in consequence of the prisoner choosing to have the case conducted by the Junior Counsel, Mr Rees."