stantly employed in the carriage of provisions and mining implements between the Grey and the Greenstone. As near as could be ascertained there were now 100 men working in the vicinity of Hunt’s claim, and as a result of this, there came into existence Westland’s first “shanty” (i.e., grog shop). This was opened by a man named Tracy, who drew supplies from Reuben Waite. Be it noted that in those days all storekeepers sold liquor, and further, that as a general rule only the very best was stocked.
The news of the continued discoveries of gold soon spread to Christchurch, causing some embarrassment to the Provincial Council, who were still not enthusiastic regarding the finding of the metal royal in the western portion of the province. As has been shown, the Oakes brothers had reported its existence some seven years previously, this information being suppressed, the idea of an influx of diggers being abhorrent to the powers that were. A typical illustration of the feeling then pertaining was expressed by the Lyttelton Times, in a leading article on July 30th, 1864, which read as follows:—“If a goldfield is, after all, to be forced on Canterbury, without the consent and contrary to the expressed desire of the settlers, they must nevertheless submit to fate, and should the natural feelings of discontent swelling up in their prudent bosoms when Fortune’s golden favours are thrust into their
