MOKIHINUI.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 217, 10 April 1868, Page 2

MOKIHINUI.

(from a correspondent.) Mokihinui, April 2,1868. In taking up my pen to give you a few lines on the rise and fall of Mokihinui, it would scarcely be worth the paper lam writing on. But to pass this 2nd of April, without showing to the world that we are a loyal people, would be ungenerous on my part. Little till think when I rose from my lonely couch, and walked out to take the morning's air, that our little town would be all astir. The first that : caught my wandering eye, was our only vessel in the harbor, a well-named craft, the Volunteer, with her bunting floating with the morning breeze In defiance of the wet and sulky weather. On the signal-staff opposite the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel was the red, white, and blue ; and last, not least, was a line of flags stretched across the streeet, from the Kynnersley Hotel to the adjoining store of Stitt Brothers. Such was the display of bunting in our little town. In the forenoon we were not behind in the way of cannonarchy, for with the aid of the blacksmith's anvil, and some of Harvey's gun powder, six booming shots were fired as a token of their loyalty. In the afternoon every one was busy gathering wood to rai.«e a huge bonfire on the beach, which was done with spirit ; also, two large barrels erected on poles in the shape of large torches well plastered with tar. All being completed, and tea over, the grand finale came off, when every one able to travel to the beach left their homes and joined in the procession. When the match set fire to the huge mass of wood there was no end of rejoicing on the part of those who joined, after which a dozen of good Highland whisky was tapped, when several patriotic songs were sung with great taste (thanks to the ladies), all joined in " God save the Queen," with hats off, while the rain poured down in torrents. All returning merrily home, giving three hearty cheers for the Duke of Edinburgh. So ended our day's rejoicing amongst our Mokihinuites.

As for any other source of information I am at a loss to give you. Our diggings are in the same old style, when they work out off they go; no one seems to care for stopping. The claims on the Terrace certainly are paying well, but will soon be worked out; but I believe a few extended claims have been granted by Dr. Giles when up

liere. As for the up-river diggings, afew parties are still there, and another is preparing to go again as they have done a little last trip, but the weather is fit to give any One the horrors going up in that rough country; however some of them are sanguine something will be got in that quarter yet. On the north of Mokihinui only two parties are at work—driving, getting a little gold but in paying quantities, but they are sure it will turn out better as it is changing for the better. If they succeed in getting payable gold there is good room for a good population.

As for the commercial part of the place, I must say it is clean cooked, in fact there is nothing doing ; with the exception ofStittßros. the most of the houses in town are all locked up, the only occupants being the rats. However, affairs may take a change, if so your humhle servant will let you know.