A TRIP TO THE SERPENTINE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 442, 7 October 1870, Page 3

A TRIP TO THE SERPENTINE.

(fROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Having heard that a larg* access of pop* ulation had arrived at the Serpentine, and that things w.ere in an increaseu state of prosperity in that out of the way locality, I determined to make a trip there and to verify hy my own observation the different rumors that I have hoard. Leaving Mr. Sinnamon’s, at Ida Valley I ro 'e as far as drunken-woman’s-creek, a trajk leads of here to tho Long Valley, drays have to go to the Black Ball, and turn off there. The distance to the Serpentine from the Black Ball is ten miles. Pur--Bving the bridle track up the Long Valley I i ,und the ground very swampy, in some p a ibs taking the horse up to his knees, but having a good bottom, the only inconvenience being the slowness of locomotion rendered necessary in passing over the boggy ground. Six miles up the Long Valley you come to the first parties mining consisting of two on the left hand si ie close to the track and opposite a party of four engaged in ground sluicing. From some conversation I held with them I find they are being handsomely remunerated for their labor. About a mile and a half further, a party of four are working in the creek. As I approached I bean tho peculiar clink which told me that the drill and hammer were at wosk. On inspection I foun , that they had constructed a tail race in tho bed rock of the creek, and were cringing up more fall. They seem quite satisfied with their prospects. A mile further down the creek, Buckley and party have just completed an extensive tail-race through a narrow gorge. They have been twelve months constructing this, ana have now commenced to reap the reward of their labor and time. Returning on my track to the first parties I met; 1 ascend tne range, which is pretty steep in some places, a ride of two miles bringing you to the two stores and alew miner’s huts, comprising the township. Batches of snow were still lying about, showmg that winter is hardly over in this bleak place, yet all s.iy that they have had a mild winter and very little snow. The population here is a'mut ninety, scattered about in different guides, some a long way apart from others. At the township, which is situated iu the Golden-gully, (Jogan and party have con. structed a splem-id tail-race, cut for many yards through tho solid rock to the depth of tw'elve feet. It has been more than twelve months in the course of construction, and reflects the highest credit on the pluck and persevt ranee 01 the parties engagea. To show the value of this claim 1 may state that a party bought a fourth share in the and race for i'2o'J, and £.>()!) was asked for another. The claim will last for years, and pay well. Mr. Congreve and party are sluicing about a mile from this, on a large spur, ami are making good wages ; also a party of Suedes, wuo have been on the Serpentine for years. Five miles from this you come to German Jack’s creek, where Francis Moure and party are constructing another large tail-race Tiiey have ticeu engaged on lor about ten mouths, and it will laae two months yet to complete it. Several other parties are doing well hero. At present there is a good supply of water, but all that is available is taken up. Could a large amount of water be brought ia there are thousands of acres of known auriferous ground that would pay well. There is a great want of a post-office here, the nearest being the Lin burn, where the m.dl is delivered from the Hoghuru, and then it has to be brought ten miles to tho Serpentine, and that distance has to be left to any chance of some one going that way or volunteering to fetch it hetore the population on the Serpentine get their letters &c Ihe mail could he taken direct to the Serpentine without additional expenses which would be a great boon to the inhabitants. The additional twenty miles of service, would not make a great difference to the parties carrying themailtotheLinburn. A petition is being signed hy all the inhabitants, praying for a Post-office ami an ex-te-'sion ol service and itoughtto be granted ■ he substantial erections of the miners, and the large aorks in construction, show that hey are settled down, and why should they be denied what all other diggings have got. ft is to be hoped that the Postmaster General will grant their request.