MOUNTAIN CAMP.

Otago Witness, Issue 666, 3 September 1864, Page 7

MOUNTAIN CAMP.

(prom the daily times correspondent.)

Wiliiam Bichmond and his party have obtained 1200z3 out of their claim the last few days, previous to the late flood. They have since sold

out for a good price to some of their neighbors, About a mile lower down, Sullivan and his party were the lucky finders ofs4ozs. after a few hours' work, that is to say, after they had finished their dams and other works necessary to be completed before ihe search for gold commences. At the new rush, one of the shifts on the other side of rhe liver has turned out well, but I have not been able to ascertain the correct amount. At present no important news is at'ainable at the different diggings, the lale flood not having yet subsided. :'he miners are now only bu-y at work repairing damage?.

DESP CREEK.

18th August. A very serious disturbance took place here this evening. Constable Goodall, while attempting to arrest a dranken man, assisted by Sergeaut Cniikshank, was assailed by a lot ot lowdie?, who rescued the fellow. While in the act of so doing, Sergeant Cruikshank drew his revolver and covered one of the crowd of assaiiauts; his hand, however, was knocked up, and the pistol went off in the scuffle. He was then thrown to the ground, trampled on, and kicked in a savage and brutal manner, to so great an extent that big life is deemed in danger.

19th, 5 a.m. The Warden and constables who had been despatched from Havelock to the scene of riot wlieu the news reached head-quarters, have just come in. The man who had been arrested during the affray managed to escape, but not before inflicting severe injuries on Mr Green, a surveyor. The revolver (Cruikshank's) passed from hand to hand among the rioters, Sergeant Cruikshank now lif s very ill indeerl. Sergt. KinsclJa, with four armed troopers, departed hence to the Forks in pursuit of some of the accused parties, and from what can be learned, it is a most lawless neighborhood. The gold receiver's cige in the meantime has been transformed into a lock-up. The storekeepers fear further disturbances in the vicinity. It would appear that fifty persona took part in the assault on the constabulary, who are numeri cally too few for the requirements of the place. To turn to more pleasing mining matters. I may say that a party below King's Bridge have bottomed a shaft, which has turned out exceeding'y well.

THB FORKS,

19th August. Sergeant Kin^ella and Mr Mulray, who are deserving of great credit for zeal and activity, reached here to-day with two troopers, in pursuit of the parties that committed the assault at Deep Creek on Sergeant Cruikshank, They have not up to this time apprehended the accused however. It is pleasant to know that the wounded officer i 3 much better, but still in a precarious state. Mining operations are in a very satisfactory csndition. The absence of the Warden is deplored by the miners, and serious fracas may take place owing to this cause.

CANVAS TOWN.

The proper left bank of the river has been pegged out from the Hew Ru«h to Canvas Town a distance of three miles ; and the line of road', which was within the last fortnight destitute of a single habitation, is now thickly strewed with tents and stores. Paddocks, dams, escipements and other works necessary for the attainment of the " Yellow metal " are being rapidly forwarded. ALLEGED ROBBERT OP THE BEEP OREEBI MAIL

Mr David Kirk, who carries the mail between Haveiock and the Deep Creek, says he was accosted by seyen Maoris on the afternoon of Thursday last, between Deep Creek and Canvas Town, at about half-past four o'clock. They rushed out of the bush from the river side and asked him to deliver up the mail. On his refusal one of them presented a pistol at him, and another unloosened the near side saddle-strap, taking away the hags and a new coat. A third Maori drew a kDife on the mail man, but pnmientially he avoided the injury Intended by jerking his horse beyocd tho ruffian's reach. A very slight scratch was inflicted beneath the rfcht eye. They thei decamped in the direction of the river. He .V'pea-s to think they are not Maoris of this Province, and states from what transpired on Wednesday the attack was premeditated. On his arrival at Havelock he gave information to the police, who at once departed for the spot. Mr Johnston, Postmaster, since informs us tint one of the miil bags was found yesterday concealed in nn old stump, near the scene of the attack. The mail bag and letters were quite intact, and in accordance with the way-bill of the forwarding Postmaster.