followed by that to Jones’ Creek (the present town of Ross). The prospects at Donoghue’s Creek were very rich and it is said that the claim of the prospector (Michael Donoghue) yielded as much as £60 a man a week.” Official records show that over five tons of gold was won at Jones’ Creek, and that the Ross Flat yielded to Cassius and party 22,000 ounces in two years.
Meanwhile Revell had again crossed the Alps to Christchurch, for the purpose of reporting to the Provincial Council that in his opinion a stupendous rush to Old Westland was imminent. As the result of this report, the Council in their wisdom, on March 5th (1865), proclaimed what we now know as Westland, from the Grey River to the Southern boundary of the Canterbury Province, a goldfield, with William Horton Revell as Warden.
Following on this proclamation and in anticipation of maintaining law and order, the Provincial Council dispatched Police Commissioner Shearman and a party of mounted constables to Hokitika, Sergeant Broham being appointed Inspector of the Westland District.
On March 19th Messrs. Rolleston (Provincial Secretary), Seed (Collector of Customs), and Warden Revell arrived by the S.S. Nelson, the former at once proceeding to arrange all matters of administration. Two days later, March 21st, Revell opened his office (if a tent
