ANOTHER OPINION ON THE WEST COAST DIGGINGS.

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 769, 7 March 1865, Page 4

ANOTHER OPINION ON THE WEST COAST DIGGINGS.

{From the Otago Daily Times.) The particulars furnished by the Nelson and Canterbury papers of the new West Coast diggings,—the Okitiki —are of the scantiest description, and certainly by no means justify the excitement that prevails on the subject, and the eagerness evinced by many persons to join this latest rush. In the absence of accurate and reliable information rumor has been busily at work with its vague stories. Amongst the many reports current, some are of the most palpably absurd character. These pass from mouth to mouth, growing as they travel, until men's imaginations become excited, and all considerations of prudence and caution are put aside. So far as is yet known, the glowing accounts of rich finds at the Okitiki rest upon the most mythical grounds, and there is too much reason to fear that the rush will be only a repetition of others that have ended in bitter loss and disappointment to thousands. There is something inespressisibly rash in this eagerness upon altogether insufficient information to tempt fortune on a distant and undeveloped gold-field, very j difficult of access after the sea voyage is completed, and imposing, according to the most trustworthy accounts, most rigorous conditions upon the working miner. Letters have been received in town that ought to create grave suspicion of the reli- ! ability of the very glowing reports that have been set afloat. Whilst rival bellmen, announcing shipping engagements, and urging the public to secure berths, just as on other occasions they recommend them to be " early in their seats" at the Theatre or Thatcher's, gather crowds about them at the street corners and feed the general excitement, it becomes the duty of all prudent men to weigh well the notes of admonition that come from those who have already yielded to the seduction, and are now repenting their incautious haste. The letter we subjoin is from one of these. It has been handed to us for publication by Mr. Hughes, M.P.C., and although we are not at liberty to divulge the name of the writer, we are in a position to state that his veracity and good faith are unimpeachable : — Oakitiki, 10th Feb., 1865. Dear Altck, —I have now got here, and I am sorry I left Duuedin. This place is the worst I ever was in. Well, Alick, I paid £3 10s. to come to Havcloek in the City of Dunedin, and when I got to Htiveloclc, I had to travel 40 miles of a very bad country to Nelson, and then I had to pay £5 for my passage to this wretched hole, all that is here is a narrow creek ; there is some doing well, but twenty men hold all the ground, and I cannot see a chance to make a living. Believe me, Alick, lam speaking the truth, and God above me knows it. I am here now, and in another "week I will not have a shilling, and what to do I don't know, and how to get back to Dunedin I don't know. I saw Mr. M'Farlanc to-day; he is working a claim here, making about a £1 a day, but there is no chance of getting alongside of him, so Alick I pity all those that come here, for they will never know what trouble is until they come here. When I landed here I had to walk nineteen mile 3 through a swamp np to my knees in nothing but mud, so I will leave you to guess. And where I am camped the sun never shines, for the timber and scrub is so thick. So Alick lam too down-hearted to say much, and I hope sincerely I will soon be able to come back again. I am doomed to be unfortunate. I wish I was clear of this life. I would I had a friend to help me now, in this my greatest trial I ever had, for there is no getting away without sailing on the water for it. If I could walk it, I would not think so much of it. The prices here : —Flour, per lb, Is. 6d.; tor, 55.; sugar, Is. 6d. ; meat, 2s. ; bacon, 3s. 6d. ; butter, none.