Page:Banking Under Difficulties- Or Life On The Goldfields Of Victoria, New South Wales And New Zealand (1888).pdf/117

108 turn back as there was no gold, no food, and nothing but starvation staring them in the face. They determined to proceed, however, and judge for themselves. That evening they camped about forty miles down the river. Next morning they again started at daylight, and had the same difficulties with the horses as on the preceding days. Midday brought them to the Natural Paddock, Lake Brunner, where they remained for a day to give themselves and horses a spell. Dick Ward arrived at the camping ground with a horse, mule, and a real live donkey. The following morning Ward and Hudson started for the Greenstone, to obtain some horseshoe nails. After innumerable difficulties they arrived, and found that great dissatisfaction existed among the mining population, the majority of them pronouncing the rush to be a duffer. Horseshoe nails were not to be had for love or money. They travelled on as far as the junction, where they came across a Maori canoe on the point of starting for the Teremakau. In this they went as far as the pah, where they camped for the night, and were hospitably entertained by the Maories. Next morning they went with the Maories in their canoe as far as the beach, then on to the Grey, where they were in hopes of procuring some horseshoe nails, which they obtained from one of the storekeepers there at an exorbitant price. Ward started off with the nails, Hudson remaining at the Grey for a few days till Ward and Price returned with the horses, blankets, and other effects. On their way down the poor donkey was drowned, and was subsequently thrown upon the beach, which created great consternation among the Maories, who travelled miles to see it, never having seen such an animal before. On their arrival at Blaketown, they erected a flax whare, which was scarcely completed when they received private information of gold having been discovered in the Kapitea Creek. The steamer Nelson arriving opportunely, they purchased from Captain Leach and Reuben Waite sufficient stock to commence work, and started with packhorses for the rush, and on their arrival there found the place pretty well deserted. They determined, however, not to return to Greymouth, but camped at the foot of the creek. It rained very heavily and continued for three weeks, during which time they were disposing of their stock to miners and others camped around. The weather clearing up, they at the desire of Jimmy Liddle and several Maories, proceeded south as far as the “Big River,” where they erected a store. On arriving at the Arahura they found excellent grass, where they camped for the night. Next day arrived at what was known as Okatika (1st October, 1864), and where they erected the first store or building in the now well-known town of Hokitika, which was built of saplings and covered with calico, size 12 x 20. They determined to remain here for the summer, lay in a good stock, sell at low