(Christchurch), who even at this early date was conducting a series of services among the diggers, with headquarters at Hokitika. He rests beside Whitcombe, Townsend and Mitchelmore, men of his day and time, who, as has been shown, also passed on when on duty in Westland. It is of interest to state that Fox was drowned in the New River in 1875, and that he, too, rests in the Karoro cemetery, not far from George Dobson, the man who was killed in his stead.
The winter of 1866 was as good as that of the previous year was bad, and vessels were able to work the ports of Hokitika and Greymouth continuously, with the result that food supplies were plentiful and not nearly as dear. It was now generally considered that the goldfields would last for a number of years, and many diggers were being joined by their wives and families. With the advent of spring road construction commenced in earnest, and a tramway was opened to Kanieri. Then came telegraphic communication with Christchurch, and Westland was no longer completely isolated.
In October one of the greatest known rushes set in to the Buller district, where excellent ground had been discovered at the Inangahua, Charleston and Fox’s River. The township of Westport, which had been neglected, became a busy shipping centre, 12,000 men arriving there
