MINING CORRESPONDENCE. OKARITA.

West Coast Times, Issue 233, 18 June 1866, Page 6

MINING CORRESPONDENCE. OKARITA.

[from ovr own correspondent] May 13. The news I have to send you is meagre in the extreme, as nothing of importance has happened during the past week. A rumor, to the effeco that parties were awaiting the arrival, from Hokitika, of our respected Warden, Mr Price, in order to apply for a prospecting claim, was very unwisely given currency to by the local paper. As might be expected every one was on tho gui vive, but on enquiries being made at the Camp it turned out that no prospecting claim had been applied for, but that two men had called arid asked Mr Price what amount of ground prospectors were entitled to hold. Rumor ad,ded that the great ucw rush was four miles inland from Sandfly Beach, up the river, half a mile north (I have never heard any name for the same river) of the Waikukupa River.- The consequence was a large number of men from Jkarit'a and the Five Mile Beach scampered off, towards Sandfly Beach, to the great astonishment of the " old identities" on the Waiho and Sandfly Beaches, who, like a flock of sheep, followed the leader, and flj pulled np at the stores on Sandfly Beach, eagerly enquiring from tho amazed storekeepers where was the great inland gold-field. Of course tho storekeepers could give no information, and the majority of the miners camped, awaiting the arrival of Mr Price and the prospector, as 'since the far famed Hunt's Bruce Bay rush,MrPricehad stated his intention never aghin to grant a prospecting claim to any person on any consideration, without first' pr6specting the ground himself if within reasonable distance. 'Mr Price, or the prospector, never made any appearance, and in a day or two all parties returned, cursing their own impetuosity in leading them such a fool's errand. From what I can learn, a party on the small creek on the Waiho beach had got a very poor prbspect, and were "blowing" in some hotel at Okarita about it, when half-seas over; hence the cause of the rush. Although I have no startling news to send, I consider what I have is very satisfactory. The miners — some three or four thousand — Scattered f rom Okarita to Hunt's beach (within eight miles of Bruce Bay), are all settled into work, and most are making wages, or at least a pound or two over tucker. I have no doubt there is a great quantity of gold brought into Okarita, but 1 am unable to say what amount, as when I made enquiries from the manager of one of the Banks in Okarita, stating I was the representative of the West Coast Times, and requesting information as to the amount of gold sold weekly, he distinctly refused to give me any information whatever. Winter is now upon us, the mornings and evenings being ■ very cold, but ,ths days are most glorious sunshine ; in fact, too warm, and more like summer than winter. Mr Price is still left in a miserable calico shed by the Christchurch Government, without a fire-place in the cold nights to solace himself by reading after a hard day's .work in Court. I believe the inhabitants would willingly contribute to erect a proper place for their Resident Magistrate, sooner than have such a disgraceful place for a " Temple of Justice," sleeping and dining room, if the Government states distinctly it will not provide better accommodation. You were mistaken some two or three I weeks ago, in staling that Hunt believed I the ground where he applied for the j prospecting claim was yery poor. The fact is he wanted Mr Price to put in the prospecting notice a prospect of no less than half-an-ounce to the dish, which Air Price, to his credit be it spoken, stoutly refused to insert, but put in. from four to six grains to the dish. I knew the whole truth from the commencement, but I did not wish to set all the miners mad, and have them rushing here in thousands, only to br ( ing misery and hardship on themselves. I am a miner myself, and know well how easily miners are deceived. The accounts from the Lake are by no means encouraging, but the publicans in Okarita are sanguine great finds will be got. I think they themselves ought to endeavor to find them, as they have nothing better to do. Some parties who were prospecting up the Waiho lately, have returned. They brought a little coarse gold d wn with them, and they say they believe good payable gold will yet be found in the snowy ranges, if properly looked after by a strong and well equipped party. The country is described as very precipitous, and the bush and scrub very hard to get through. lam of opinion next year will see splendid discoveries in the ranges, as this year gold is so easily piui/uicd on tho beaches, men will not penetrate the bush. By next year the beach diggings will mostly be worked out, and the miners will be compelled to prospect the interior, where no doubt heavier gold will be found. It is the opinion of many parties that there is another layer of payable black sand below the water level, on the beaches; and I am acquainted with some parties who intend, in a month or two, to spare neither time nor expense to test the matter, by procuring 30ft. or 40ft. Californiun pumps. lam not at liberty at present to give more information. May 19. In consequence of the very fine and warm weather, several parties have started up the Waiho, for the purpose of prospecting the numerous creeks and gullies, situated at the head of it. One party has already laid in no less than three mouth's " tucker," and are determined not to return until their stores are exhausted. I have every hope that heavy gold will be found in the ranges at the head of the Waiho, as within the last few months several parties have obtained, at different times, small samples of coarse shotty gold. One party obtained a nugget weighing seventeen, pennyweights ; a sure indication that more gold exists in the vicinity, and only awaits the labor of man to bring it to light. The accounts from Gillespie's and Sandfly Beaches are encouraging, as the majority are making fair wages, and very few making less than a pound or two over •' tucker." At the same time I wish to caution parties at a distance from rushing to either of these beaches, as there is a quite sufficient number of miners on them

at present for" the known auriferous ground. At the Five-Mile the miners are, as usual, doing first-rate. To give your readers an idea of the richness of this beach, I may mention that one party can Wash as much as 4lbs. weight to the load. Another party, holding only ono man's ground between three of tliem, expect to make no loss than £1000 a man. I have been told, on very good authority, that one party washed out 100 ozs. in one day. From the Lake the accounts are not very encouraging ; at the some time it must be ebnlessed there is every reason to suppose a good gold-field will be found in the vicinity, as there are a great many parties out prospecting, and samples of coarse gold have been sold, from the Lnke, during the pkst week in Okarita. O'Connor and party are constructing a race at the Forks, but it is nofccompleted. How the terraces will pay remains to be seen, but the party arc sanguine that the water will enable them to make, at the least, very good wages. A Frenchman named Pierre Rouzier died suddenly at the Five-Mile. He complained in the morning of being unwell, and returned to his tent, where he immediately eyp.'red. An inquest was held on the body, and on the evidence of Dr. Me. Mullen, a verdict of death from disease of the heart was returned. The inhabitants of Okarita and the Fivotile have been astonished and gratified by he arrival of no less a personage than Dr. Viard, Catholic Bishop of Wellington, accompanied by Fathers M'Girr and Reilly. The Bishop was warmly received and welcomed by the miners. On Sunday he celebrated Mass on the Five-Milo in Mr. Cbglan's large room, and the attondance was very numerous, so much so that hundreds congregated outside the door. A meeting of the Improvement Committee was held in the Club Hotel on Thursday evening, seven members being present. The chief matter discussed -was the want of overland mail communication with Hokitika, and after a long discussion it was resolved to communicate with the Postmaster at Hokitika on the subject.

June 8. There has been no mining news of importance this week, and no fresh discoveries. All the miners are steadily settled in to work, and very few indeed are seen wandering along the beach. I consider the absence of miners tramping to and fro is a very favorable sign of the prosperity Of the district. One sign of the steady progress of the district is the fact of the local newspaper here having been enlarged to double its original size ; it is now called the " Westland Observer and Okarita Times," and is fully as large as the v Chronicle." On Wednesday last all business and mining were suspended, in consequence of a tremendous gale of wind and rain. Daylight was ushered in by frightful gusts of wind, quite enough to take a man off his feet, and the rain absolutely came down in sheets of water. The river rose at once, and all traffic along the beach was suspended for a day or two. In the evening the Nyind and rain abated, the clouds dispersed, and the moon again appeared unsullied by a cloud. Now again frosty weather has set in, and the clouds are warm and bright. ' The following return of the amount of gold shipped by the Banks since February 23rd to Alay 19th will show your readers what an important place Okarita is : —

The' population of the Five-Mile has considerably decreased, in consequence of a 'large number of front beach claims being worked out. Some fortunate fellows have cleared out with frcm LBOO to LIOOO a-man. Old Joe and his mates made over LI7OO aman in two or three months. At the south-end of the beach, the lead is deep and wot, but the richness of the ground along the entire lead has induced the parties holding claims at the south end to set into work manfully, and I noticed this day a splendid new Californian pump being carried down, in order to enable tlie parties to overcome the water. At last the Government has been shamed into providing a proper Court House for this district. The foundation of a wooden building is now complete, and in a week or two the building will be completed. I see no sign, however, of a proper residence being made for our Resident Magistrate. From up the Waiho some very nice coar.>e gold has been lately obtained, one piece weighing over an ounce. Two parties having set in with a will have obtained the necessary grants from the warden for water-races, and constructed the same. They are now in full working order, and intend to remain. I have no doubt next year valuable discoveries will be mado up the Waiho Valley— nay, the snowy mountains will be trodden for the first time by the foot of man, and Ihopo golden harvests will repay the adventurers. For several miles north of Okarita there are a few parlies at work, but nothing very general has been obtained ; at the same time the parties are making a pound or two over tucker, and appear determined not to run about any more. The fact is, tho minors know the wet weather may soon bo expected, and they are glad to set in where they can bo comfortably settled down during the wet weather, and save a little to prospect the interior during next Spring. Another sign of the advancement of this district, is the establishment of a brewery in Wharf-street by Messrs I3loußer and Strachun. The ale is very good for colonial, and parties who like a a drop of good beer," <;an obtain the same at a very reasonable price". The share on the Five Milo lately owned by the deceased Pierre Rouzier, whom who remenjber died suddenly lately, was put up by auction by Chapman and Co.. and realised £210. The river emptying itself out of the Five Mile beach lagoon is now spanned by alight and elegaut bridge. The bridge was erected by Mr Blanchard of the Five Mile, at a cost of £400. It is a very great convenience, and I have no doubt it will prove a very good speculation.

February 23rd March 9th ..*....' „ 19th „ 26th April Ist „ Bth „ 18th May 2nd <, „ 13th „ 19th oz9. dwts. grs 4000 0 0 1750 0 9 3430 0 8 1350 0 0 2573 11 11 2000 0 0 5267 17 0 4082 6 20 3613 5 10 1000 0 0