THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1866.

Grey River Argus, Issue 57, 24 May 1866, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1866.

In another j>ortion of this j>aper appears a report of the first meeting of the promoters of the projected great race from the neighborhood of Lake Brunner for the supply of the large area of au'ri_ ferous ground in the Arnold and adjoin, ing districts. As this is the first attempt that has been made in the Grey district to carry out an extensive and permanent undertaking it is worthy special attention as showing that the spirit of enterprise is alive amongst us, and that public confidence is felt in the resources of the country. If the object proposed by the promoters of the Brunner Race Company be carried out? it cannot be doubted that the under, taking will exercise, a most powerful influence for good on the progress of niiniug in this portion of the West Coast. Not only will the contemplated large race be attended with, immediate and substantial benefits, but it will give birth, to other works of a similar character in other places, and probably iustitute a new era in the history of mining in the Grey district — an era we may venture to say the prosperity of which, may be made to surpass that of any previous period. It is admitted by all possessed of the slightest experience in gold mining that there are vast areas of ground in this district that will prove very profitable for sluicing — in fact it is proved that wherever a full supply of water can be procured for the working of ground of this character, largo and brilliant profits are the result. But it happens that most of these auriferous terraces and hills lie in frequent in. stances above the level of the adjoining streams, and consequently they cannot be worked to advantage. To surmount this obstacle it is necessary to bring water from a great distance in order to obtain the proper level ; but this is a work which, in most cases, is beyond the capacity of individual miners to undertake. The only altcrnatiyc.is for public enterprise to step in; and to come forward with capital for those schemes which offer " bona fide" advantages. We are glad to find tha^i^^ case of the large race wehj^^ 1 " ie to, and other .sdoo*™v referred of a similar Wm^^S^^wjiic has come forward frankly and liberally. A large sum of monfty has been subscribed for the preliminary expenses of the Brunner Company, and we hear of another equally important scheme for bringing water on the North Beacli terraces that has also met with liberal support. It is impossible to over-estimate the value and advantages of these undertakings, or their importance as agents in the development of the country. The Brunner Company's race, for instance, will be above 20 miles long and is to be constructed to carry 40 or 50 sluice heads of water. This canal, for it will be little elsfi, will . throw open a vast extent of country to the researches of the miners, and 'will make available a great number of known auriferous terraces which are at present incapable of beinWoperly.

worked. The other project is no less important. If a sufficient supply of water can be brought on to the North Beach terraces, the yield of gold will be doubled, and there will be payable gold for many years to come. And so of other works of a like nature ; and no undertaking appears to be of a more thoroughly " bona fide" character than those for bringing water on to the ground that is known to be payable. In quartz mining there is more of the element of chance, for the probable results and prospects are concealed and deceptiveBut with regard to water races a different condition of alFairs exists. Given auriferous CT&aiid, the problem is only to bring die water, to it, and if that can be accomplished at a reasonable cost } there can be very little doubt of the result. We. hope that the district is on the eve of founding a more lasting and permanent branch of mining industry, aud that the investment of capital in reproductive undertakings will create a more settled feeling amongst all classes of the community, and prove a security against the constant changes of population that tend so much to retard sound progress.