THE GREY.

West Coast Times, Issue 187, 25 April 1866, Page 2

THE GREY.

(FROM OUR OWtf CORRESPOKDBNT. April 20th. A most lamentable occurrence took place yesterday afternoon, by which a woman namedHarveylostherlife. The circumstances areasfollows : — Aloaded dray and team left the Teremakau iv the direction of the Grey, the woman, with a young child, being seated in the dray, and her husband walking alongside. The driver, anxious to spare his horses, kept the dray as near the surf as he considered prudeut, in order to take advantage of the firmer ground ; but owing to the heavy southerly swell, and the high tide, the surf was unusually heavy, and whilst proceeding on its way, the cart was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave and capsized. The woman was washed away, and all attempts to rescue her were fruitless. Singularly, the child escaped. The police have since diligently searched for the body of the woman, but up to this evening have not been successful. I may also mention that the bodies of two of the victims of the late disaster on the river, are still unrecovered. In mining matters I have little change to report. There has been a steady accession to the population during the past few days—chiefly returned diggers from Okarita and Bruce Bay. It is reported that some further discoveries have been made at Nelson's Creek, and that a small rush has taken place to the Twelve Mile neighborhood, There have been several

small rushes to the terraces on the North Beach, where the miners continue to get large yields* No gold was shipped to-day by the Claud Hamilton, as the Banks prefer to ship direct to Sydney or Melbourne, without transhipping at Nelson. ALout 7000oz. are waiting shipment here ; and the next steamer will take from 10,000oz. to 12,0000z. I learn that there ia a probability of the extensive seam of coal, on the Nelson side of the Grey, being worked on a large scale. A second company is on the tapis y the objects of which ;are to work that part of the seam lower down the river than the old mine, and to supply gas td Grey-* mouth. It id proposed to construct a tramway along the Canterbury side of the river, from opposite the mine to the wharf here. The coal will be sent across the river in waggons, which will be lifted up by cranes, and placed on the tramroad, and thence despatched to the place of shipment. The promoters have obtained a lease of 165 acres of the coalfield, an are sanguine of success. Considerable public interest has been excited on the subject, and it is expected the Company, if properly brought out, will receive large support. It is of vast importance to the I permanent prosperity of this district that its rich mineral resources should be developed, for the time may come when the Grey will be dependent as much on its coal trade as its gold mining. At present, the clumsy and tedious manner in which the coal is won and conveyed to port, keeps it at a price that will not induce vessels to seek it as a cargo. The projectors of the new company expect to be able to supply coal at Newcastle prices. If they succeed in doing this, there can be little doubt that a large trade will be created, that will materially influence for good the whole of Westland. The steamer Nelson has now completed the repairs of her machinery, and to-mor-row makes a trial trip in the river, after which she proceeds to Nelson. The Sea Bird has not yet been launched, owing to the heavy surf that has prevailed. The ketch Mary Jane had a narrow escape this afternoon, whilst coming in from sea in tow of the Woodpecker. When in the worst part of the surf, the hawser snapped, and it appeared as if nothing could save the little craft ; but by a skilful handling of his sails, the captain got her head round, and managed to hold his own until the steamer got another line attached, and brought her charge safely in. The Leotard troupe are drawing good houses. To-morrow a new sensation is to be provided, — Mr E. Leotard having undertaken to cross the Grey in a washing tub, drawn by. four geese (wind and weather ' d ermittmg, cautiously says the announcement). I fear' the adventurous gymnast will find the water too much for him and his geese.