BRUCE BAY.

West Coast Times, Issue 166, 31 March 1866, Page 2

BRUCE BAY.

[FROM Ol)B OWN CORRESPONDENT.] March 28. On Monday morning all the miners camped here were up at the first streak of dawn, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the prospector of the new goldfield, Mr Hunt. No superfluous baggage was taken by any, the majority of the miners starting with only a blanket and a couple of Johnny cakes. As each hour pa9aeii away every one became impatient, but still Mr Hunt did not put in an appearance. Ten o'clock and eleven passed but still no tidings were heard of Hunt. At length it began to be whispered that Hunt was at the second river, north of Bruce Bayi but that the miners there waiting to be ferried over objected to Hunt going across until they were put over. Twelve o'clock came and then all hands immediately set to work to prepare dinner, and after that very necessary affair was concluded and whilst the post prandial pipe was being smoked, the cry of **• Hunt has arrived," 8t once brought all hands to their feet. Mr Hunt had indeed arrived with a very formidable bodyguard. He was immediately surrounded by every one in the place and wilh some difficulty managed to get to the late Mr Schernikow's store where he purchased some provisions. As it wa now between two and three o'clock, a long and animated discussion took place as to the advisability of starting that evening — Mr Hunt expressing his desire to abide by the decision of the majority. At length,

notwithstanding the energetic remonstrances of some lately-arrived shanrykeepers, who expected to do v a stroke " by keeping the population in town, it was „ determined to start forthwith. The dcci- ' sion was hailed with a loud ebeef, and at once the entire population started fur the bluff at the South of Bruce Bay. No horse can pass it at low title, so all the {^tucker" for, the new rush, will hjive tp. be ÜBwrigged"U Bwrigged" over tlie rocks. The pddtla'ge over this bluff was most difficult, owing to the great number pressing to §ct first, each rock had its occupant in le person of a stalwart digger, and I am astonished that no serious accidents occurred the rush was so great. The bluff having at lehgtu , bee n rounded and all hands thoroughly exhausted a halt wag made at a spring where itVuter pure as diamond sparkle, ■;- Ih ii stone basin foil. The evenjng being* npvp- considerably advanced another start was made r wljen.aj,l bands had refreshed themselves fit the spring. After travelling along the beach for some five miles a river, the " Pukiriki" was reached, which stopped some of the foremost for a time, but on Hunt running - up and stating that it should be crossed, the whole of the miners rushed in and forded it in capital style. It being now sundown after much discussion it was re- > . solved to camp for the night, and immediately the lurid glare of three hundred firfes cast their gleam upon the moonlit wa^es., The next,., morning as it # ,waa evident the foremost would stand the best chance, the majority of the miners took the precaution of leaving everything behind them in care of 1 one of their mates. Breakfast being ' taken, a start was made, and the whole of the miners imagined the track was along the course of the Pukiriki river, but on Hunt, turning suddenly aside into the bush, there ensued a scene that baffles all description. A rush was at once made towards Hunt's track, but owing to the jiresknee of the scrttb and supplejacks liiiHdretts came to grief ; nothing cotild Ie seen hut boot 9 sticking up out of a net of supplejacks, their owners struggling helplessly to extricate themselves, whilst yells, shouts, and execrations on supplejacks V - rent the air. The entire track through j the hush for five miles was of the same '\ character, and the pace was so tremendous " that many a stalwart man wan obliged to ' fall down exhausted. After three or four , miles travelling the miners came on the ,-^canip of the well-known Bill Fox, who was < out looking for Hunt's rush ; here a short Jull was made whilst each miner hud a drink* Soon again the multitude started, and heavy rain commenced : nevertheless, the -„ speed kept up was 4 irejtie'ddoils. " Two miles having been traVyelled over, a halt was marie, as every one , jwaß thoroughly exhausted ; but the race Jpr'aa soon resumed. After travelling a * kw hundred yards a creek full of granite wa* reached, si hen suddenly haro*e the cry v Hunt is gone. Hunt has bolted."* All wero at once brought to a ( standstill in the soaking rain, and no one ] knew what to do, whilst a dense cloud of steam arose from the smoking bodies and clothed of the exhausted miners. Curses loud and deep were vented on Hunt, and threats of future vengeance. A great . many imagined Hunt had gone away with • of his " u p.hummies," and others S believed he would come hack when he missed the mob ; but hour passed after hour, and at length all determined to camp, as it was raining very heavily. This , was no easy matter, as a great many had ,no tent or blankets. However, the majority managed to get a shake down With their friends. There were a great many whoha'l to brave the storm and heavy *'rain 6f the night, and in the morning curses and threats of vengeance ou Hunt were beard in all directions. The majority of the miners being without tucker, sent some of their mates back to Bruce Buy for provisions, determined to find Hunt out and take bis claim from him if he could not satis- • torily account for his disappearance yesterday. My opinion is that Hunt has lost himself, or that he does not wish parties to find him out at once, as it would only cause numerous fights if parties came into the jiully in a mob. lam inclined to believe jfthafc Hunt means well, because some short time before he was missed, I conversed with him, and he told me that be (.id not wish the miners to go into the gully in a bunch, but separately, if possible ; and he further added, that a short time before he came to the gully, he would go first, in order to give every one a chance. I have just come into Bruce Bay, but .intend goinc out to the rush to-morrow, as I have no doubt Hunt will very soon be found. Stores and shanties are in abundance now, and business appears very brisk, but a week will decide whether it will be permanent. 10 pm. I have just seen some friends arrived from the Granite Creek, where Hunt was» , missed. They report that Hunt had come back with some fifty followers, he having • • been lost in the bush, and that be started again with all the miners to find out the place where be procured the good prospects.

In connection wth the a' ove report, we publish the following letter from a gentle- , man well known in commercial ciicies, and who only arrived from Bruce Bay in the IJjruce yesterday morning :—: — TO THB EDITOR OP TIIE WB3T COAST TIMEB. r Sib — I sincerely trust you will endeavor * by every means in your power, to stay 1 the present excitement existing in reference - rence to Bruce Bay, and announce to the mining population the preterit position of affair 8 there. I arrived in the Lioness last Tuesday morning at Bruce Bay, and when t landed, should thinK htat about 1200 or itfpO persons were congregated together. 1 he whole of •' the beach, for about a mile, seemed studded .with grog tents and store*, and all the tents were put up without the slightest regularity ; — no Government officer yet being on the ground. It is estimated, independent of the population on the towns, that about one thousand able-bodied miners are following 1 ' Hunt's tracks. Ifunt has been compelled to remain w ith these men, who haye threatened, unless he declares the position of the Sully where the prospect was taken from, iat they will take a signal revenge. J^ Jil is impossible to tell bow this rush may Wrn out. The miners, up toWednesday at 6 p.m., had fonnd no trace of the ground described by Hunt, and about the same tiuie a report has reached Bruce Bay that Hunt had made his escape from the miners, and 1/ unless he stays with the remainder and ' .leads them to the ground, this rush must prove ruinous to many. I may add that

some reasonable thinking men consider that Albert Hunt has not overrated the value of the ground, but that he has acted foolishly in taking out a prospecting claim in a locality that is capable of supporting so 'fi.v miners. Oife of his thates stayed ttt my tent last Tuesday evening He carfle' in. in a very exhausted state, and described the position held by Hunt as a very unenviable fln& He stated to me that there could not be less, .than irom one .thousand to fifteen hifriclre'd men fallowing flfiint, and they walked regularly in p'toftesfion jjke.t' regiment of soldiers. He eapfeasea" ftretft fears for Hilnt'a safety unless he leads' them to the ground, or otherwise escapes. He assured me the men would not allow hill to leave their presence (or one second, and in crossing a river they sent a body df men over to receive him. 1(1 do/tciltfltinj I trust you will caution the continuation of the rush until authentic information is heard. If the rush' is likely to £urn' out welf it will 6e kn6\vn by the next steamer, >tdi \i is* 'that in a day or two the q'ue'aMon' will be, settled either one way or the other. I would caution females against going to the place until some safer method of landing passengers than the present boat system is adopted, the surf being a trial even to stouthearted men. I have the honor to be, Yours, &c, 3. h. Mabkß<