OKARITA.

West Coast Times, Issue 157, 20 March 1866, Page 2

OKARITA.

[fbom oub own correspondent] March 17th. The rush mentioned in my last letter at the rear of the woi kings on the Thre«mile Beach, has turned out a failure, the majority of the miners having given up their claims. Another rush occurred at the 1 rear of the terrace on the Five-mile Beach, which has turned out better, but by no means extensive, only A few parties haying got payable gold. The holders o( claims oh the Five-mile still continue id get gold by pounds weight. An immense number of stores, &c, have been erected within the last'few days, and business people appear to be doing a thriving trade. However, I believe there are quite enough stores now for the settled population. Another rush occurred to a spot six miles north of Okarita. The moment it became known that payable gold had been found, a regular stampede took place amongst the miners, whortlid not stop pegging out claims nntil the pegs could be seen opposite Okarita. I have spoken with several miners that have returned, and they say that only a few claims have been found payable. From the foregoing your readei's will perceive that the statement I made in a former letter, a 9 to there being a sufficient number of idle miners here to take up miles of beach, was quite correct. There is a rumor extensively circulated here to the effect that no less than eight miners have been drowned whilst prospecting in the vicinity of the Haast Kiver. I am afraid that the rumor is too true, as the names of three of the parties drowned have been told me— viz., Thomas Burns, Thomas Maher, or'Moher, and — Coffey. An Unlucky accident occurred to Mr Mace, a storekeeper on the Five- mile, a few evenings since. He was conveying a parcel of gold (about 190 oz.) from the Fivo-mile to Okarita, in a bag, but wheii rounding the Bluff a huge wave overturned both horse and rider ; and in the struggle to save himself, Mr Mace dropped the bag containing the gold. All that evening, and every day since, diligent search has beon made for the missing bag, but up to the present time without success. Mr Mace has offered a reward of £100 for the recovery of the gold. On Thursday it was reported that a party had struck payable gold some seventeen miles south of' Okarita. No one appeared to know what prospects were obtained ; but no sooner was the rumor known than hundreds of miners started for the south. All day on Friday, and during the night, the steady tramp of heavily laden diggers was heard continuously as they wended their way by twos and threes, and dozens, to the scene of the Dorado. On this morning, long before break of day,. the living stream continued to pour along, and now (4 p.m.) the stragglers in the rear are only just passing. At grey dawn this morning I spoke to three or four horsemen who had just returned from the rush. They report that it is of no account, as they could not see any person getting more than one grain to the shovel, and the stripping was very heavy — some fifteen feet. The flow of population for the last fortnight has been down south ; day after day hundreds crossed the Wailio, determined to prospect the beaches thoroughly ; and I expect soon to be able to send you an account of a real good rush to the south. On account of the large number of miners lately gone in the direction of Bruce Bay, I consider it is the duty of the Government to at once appoint a Warden for the district of Bruce Bay, and also to supply him with a sufficient number of police to uphold the majesty of the law. I hear on very good authority, that a miner was severely injured a few days ago, near Cook's River, whilst defending his claim against the encroachment of a band of lawless ruffians. The police fo r ce at present here at the disposal of Mr Warden Price is totally inadequate. Three or four nights since a mob of scoundrels kicked up a row iv an hotel at Okarita, and ended by demolishing the windows with stones. # This being St. Patrick's Day, the Hibernians are keeping • holiday in memory of the saint. A band of musicians paraded the town, aud running, leaping, horseracing, and boat-racing is the order of the day. No disturbance whatever has occurred up to tho present time, notwithstanding a large amount of pale brandy, &c, has been consumed. I have no doubt the immortal shamrock will be effectually drowned this evening. A few nights since a fellow named James Kelly entered the store of Mr Welsh, on the Five-Mile, and was making off with his booty when Mr Welsh pursued and captured him ; he was handed over to the police, and committed for trial by Mr Warden Price. A newspaper has been started here ; the first number was issued this morning. It is a well got up paper, and tho proprietor!* dtsero every enoourngoment, ng (he w»u^

of an advertising medium was much felt by the mercantile portion of the community. The town of Okarita is increasing rapidly. New hotels are opened every day, and all appear to be doing a good Ibusiness. At the Saltwater, fif'.een miles north of Okarita, there are a good many miners located. The accounts, although not brilliant, are satisfactory; the most of the miners settled down are making fair wages.

Long Journey of a Bottle Found at Sea. —The Moniteur of Now Caledonia, of 28th January, 1866, furnishes the following notice : — M. tho Licutonaut Banaro, commander of tho Fine, during tho hydrographio labors that he has just been executing in tho north of Now Caledonia, found in November, 1865, in a corked bottlo on the north-west coast, the following note :—" Sunday, 20fch November, 1864 The brig Louisa, on her way from Dunediu, Otago, to Sydney, eleven days afc eoa ; longitude, 165 degrees, 51 minutes east"; latitude, 36 degrees, 14 minutes south. On board a vory slender supply of flour and other necessaries. John Austin, mate ; John Black, second mate. John Austin, mate, finding himself in a desperate condition, is thinking on tho slicos of roast beef ho will eafc when he arrives in Sydney." Ifc is worthy of remark that during tho twelve months, from November, 1864, to November, 1815, this bottlo was carried duo north more than 1,100 miles.