Price returned from a fishing trip, and I at once dispatched him to the Grey to obtain all the provisions procurable. Two Maoris, who had been south with Liddle, accompanied him. It was their mission to inform all the natives in the district of the new field, and they did their job well. From Waite Price obtained all the goods he required, and after engaging the services of two packers, De Silva and Rae, he returned to Hokitika, making good time.
“In his absence I had had trouble with the diggers about the store, who had endeavoured to get hold of the prospectors, of whom they were most suspicious. The idea was to make them drunk, hoping that when in that condition they would talk; this theory however did not work out, for before they were intoxicated my liquor ran out, and just as well, for the diggers were now in a nasty mood and threatened to kill Liddle and Donnelly. As it was a free fight took place, which lasted some time, the prospectors, aided by some friends, winning this battle with ease. Peace being restored, Liddle and Donnelly came into the store and informed me that they had ‘struck it rich’ in the Totara, and in a branch creek known afterwards as Donnellys. The following afternoon, as the result of the news spread by the Maoris, the vanguard of the rush hove in sight. It comprised about one hundred natives—men, women and children.
