NEW RIVER RUSH.

Grey River Argus, Issue 105, 13 September 1866, Page 3

NEW RIVER RUSH.

(FliOSr OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) ■~ ■; ' ' - September 10. . In mining matters ■ here the great problem now to Devolved is -the draining of the lead by means of a large tail race. To~-day I was shown a plan of the proposed race by Mr Bull, the well-known surveyor, which speaks -highly for Ids practical knowledge pf such undertakings. By the levels shown on the plan there is a fall of twenty-four feet from the water level in, the. shafts to the level of spring tides, the distance, being 13 chains 40 links, the greater part to be an open ditch, the rcmaindertowards the shafts to be tunnelled, which will, it is -believed, drain about half a dozen claims on each side. Further along 1 the course x>t the v lead is another tail race for the same purpose, but not oi siich an extent as the other, having been 'Cut by the miners themselves without any assistance being asked, whilst in the former case the men will require some little assistance from the, biisiness people of Greymouth, who, in my opinion, have «v right to "shell but," as it is to their benefit that every assistance should be rend«re..l where such rich deposits of the|iiecious metal are to be found. I have no doubt this race will allow of poorer ground being worked, whereas, at present, tLe large quantity of water in some of the claims is by far too heavy and exijensive for unassisted manual labor to cope with. There have been several meetings here, and b>tlf miners and storekeepers have done theii' best for its prosperity. Already they have subscribed a considerable amount, and 1 hope' the people of the Grey will not allow the subscription list to -re u:n here without a handsome- donation.From an estimate of the work to be done and the mode of carrying it oiit, something over L2OO will finish it, as the men who are \to work o:i the race are the shareholders pf the variqus claims. At a meeting held lately, "it was resolved that each working shareholder should receive the sum of 25s per week to support him until 'the r.ice : is finished, 1 whic'.i they expect will be in about a nionfch. . 6 As regards the yield of gold from the various claims, I must -say that some of them promise well, for; " homewardbounltri." On the north end of the lead tl;e ground is worked by stripping, but~ it gets deeper towards tlie south. The last claim bottomed is in. the top 'of the street opposite Dr Cotterell's door, with a payable prospect ; the water coming in so .from the ;hill. that- it was only after strong efforts that they N succeeded. From there all along the claims are in full working order, those that are bottomed with good prospects! It a claim known as " Deggan's "—it being one of the favorites — I saw washed. from a small shovel of washdirt taken fromthe paddock 1^ d^vts., another was picked from the face of the drive which made one's eyes sparkle. Everyone here who has bottomed his claim is highly satisfied, as there is a good spell of work, and all have comfortable huts and seem happy.- ■■:■■■'■• • To-day there was a small "spuut " at the extreme south end of the lead, as there are a good many returning from the Teremakau rush. Tlijey all seem to come back with a more favorable, opinion of tliis place ; as they express it ■" there is sonietliing standing in ' ife- appearance. " As regards the business places, they seem rather quiet, but, no doubt, they will revive- a little with the return rush. A few of the hotels are keeping up the <«nusic and dancing despite all dull times, expecting, no doubt, to reap the benefit herejifter, This is a very quiet place both as regards rowdyism and thieving, only one case of the latter haying- occurred the other night. The individual, whoever he was.vhadno ordinary amouiit of " checlc," he having gone into the store of Mr Miscampble and, fitted liimself out, leaving his rags in compensation, However, there are tliree of I the protectors of th^ peace here, will perhaps make their acquaintance Nyith him..,..- . To-day there are rumors flj^ng round of some new rus.li taking place in this. vicinity. However, I will soon find it out if witliin my bounds. ;