WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 608, 25 July 1863, Page 8

WAIKOUAITI.

(from the daily iimes correspondent.)

July 14th, 1863. Considering the reports from the new rush we are very quiet, and little excitement prevails. A certain amount of doubt is manifested as to the information from the Hogburn. A party arrived last evening bringing 5 oz of nuirgetty gold, the first that has been ex-

.b::e:l here from that quarter, they reported it as a promising rush, but the scarcity of wood and water, also provisions, and a heavy fall of snow last week, prevented many commencing work, but as soon as the weather improves they have little doubt an extensive field will be discovered. A few drays have left here with provisions, and being but 50 or GO miies distant a good supply will in a short time arrive at the new El Dorado. The d igginof community were well warned of the New Zealand winter last year, when the rush occui red at the Dunstan, and appear to be more cautious before leaving what to them may b > termed a resting place with plenty, for one where at present there are scarcely the recess tries of life; it is to be hoped they will afford ample time for the conveyance of all required before subjecting themselves to the inclemency of another winter.

Captain Anderson passed through this district ! ist week, and informed us the Taieri road was impassable for Cobb's coache3, and that possibly they would run on the Waikmaiti road, it having the advantage over the former at this time of year, owing, in comparison, to the little traffic upon it. We next anticipate the passing of the escort by ths route, both of which will tend to the prosperity of the town.

The petition to the Chief Postmaster I named in my last, for additional postal communication with Dunedin, is receiving the signature of nearly every man in the immediate neighborhood ; it will be forwarded by the next mail, and I cannot doubt but it will have the desired effect ; its importance cannot be over estimated.

Nothing worth reporting has occurred at the Resident Magistrate's Court this week, but a few trifling cases having been disposed of.

Mr Bust's fortnightly sales of stock, &c, met with poor attention to-day. Teams of bullocks and horses were offered, but no one apparently cares to buy till more authentic and satisfactory news arries from the Ilogburn.

A library has at lait been proposed here. A committee has been appointed, who are endeavoring to promote its cause. Donations and subscriptions have already been raised, and a sufficient sum has been collected to set it on foot. The schoolhouse is considered the best place for a reading room at present, but as soon as funds permit a special building will be erected for the purpose. It will be a great acquisition where there is no place of resort but publichouses, which abound in Waikouaiti. It is to be hoped the committee will meet with every support from the inhabitants, and the result can but prove a success. The Rev. J. A. Fenton, our late clergyman, gave a handsome donation of a hundred volumes. I am sure a few more such gifts would be graciously received, with many thanks.

July 16th. No particular news has arrived from the Hogburn since I commenced this, but several parties have clubbed together and are making a race some three miles long to obtain water, which I fancy would not have been begun were there not most favorable prospects as to the result of their labor.