and in this respect Solomon in all his glory did not have much in his favour.
At this time great excitement was caused by the discoveries made at the Five Mile (Kanieri). These diggings were rich indeed and soon 1,000 men were on the field. A month later the population was 5,000 and many stores and hotels were erected, the town at one period being almost as large as Hokitika.
Commenting on the phenomenal rise of the population at Kanieri, and elsewhere throughout the goldfields, due to the influx from Australia, the West Coast Times remarked that in May there was a novel increase at Hokitika, Mrs. J. McCarthy and a Mrs. Smith having given birth to children. “Hokitika McCarthy wouldn’t sound badly,” stated Westland’s first newspaper; “the first child born at the Dunstan was called ‘Clutha’.” In assuming that the McCarthy offspring was Westland’s first born, the Times was incorrect, Dr. Ryley, who was in a position to know, stating that Mrs. Smith’s child was born on Friday, May 21st, while Mrs. McCarthy’s did not make its appearance until Monday, May 24th.
Then came news that gold had been found in the Grey River and a rush set in to the Twelve Mile, which quickly extended to Red Jack’s, No Town and Nelson Creek. These diggings being situated in the Nelson Province, Mr. John Blackett was appointed Warden. No
