FOX'S RIVER RUSH.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 150, 27 December 1866, Page 2

FOX'S RIVER RUSH.

(ki:o.m oui: spkciat, co.-msksp kvijknt.) Brighton,' Dec, 23, 15(56. Since the date of my last communication this place has undergone a great change, both in mining anil business. Mining maters are not much improved, as nothing new has broken out, with the exception of a few claims struck last week, some three miles liorth of hero. They are only of a patchy nature, but they might lead- on for something better, lv the prospector's claim, they are busy washing, with an avemge of lOoz. to 12oz. of amalgam per day, which will yield something like one-third gold, from about two to throe loads of dirt. Its being so fine, renders it a very todious work. Kelly's claim, next to the prospector's, looks well, their washings turning out pretty fair. Further clown the gully, tho claims aro of the same kind, with good payable prospects ; which will give them a good start. In the claim known as tho •'Scotchman's," they have a tramway some 120 yards, running their dirt so as to catch the tail water of the other p rties . J having a prior right to it. Their ground J is turning out very well. All the claims | in this gully appear to be ; very good. A$ party of " Eineralandurs " along tiie line of tramway, scum to have one uf tho last that I have seen, as their cloths .were thoroughly painted with the precious metal, but as the gold is so very line, it' 5 ' causes a great appearance on the cloth. On the other jiarts of the ground where golu is being got, it is uneasy t;isk for me to give you correct information, as there are so. man}* not able to wash for want oLf; water, while thos-j who have d >neso have;|* not had a chance to ascertain their, re^ turns, on account of the gold sineluii'js? apparatus not heing in. full order, li.u'^ this week the New South Wales will |j|| in full working order. On this terrace stf; good many of the claiinholdors aro disappointed in their ground, both in extent and richness. But when a good supply of water is brought in, it will enable them to worJt grouud which would in tho meantime pay nothing. ; In the district around here there are a. good many out prospecting, but nothing «is yet has been struck ; only, rumor will have it that there are rushes daily, either up the river or some place up or down the beach. I would strongly advise every one to be cautious on such information, as the farther it goes, the more it gathers ; but by the appearances of the country, here where gold is being got, tho most experienced miner is nowhere, as some new "clmin" is the most likely to make the discovery. To the south of here there are a few individual parties at Ayork on the small beaches, where a small stream comes down from the hills, paying small wages. These may lead oil to something better, but as the population here is able to take up all the 'ground, should anything be struck, I would advise everyone doing a little to stop where he is in the meantime. As regards the town of Brighton, it is daily on the increase, there ! behg one main street, having houses on botli sides. I took the trouble to count the buildings, which amounted to 160 places of business, of which there are some 60 public houses, as well as a good many of the stores having spirit licenses, so there ia no lack of refreshments. Amongst them are some large and substantial buildings, both stores and public-houses. The shipping here has been very busy, a good many of them coming and going. To-day 'the Star of the Buller and the Emerald Isle came in in excellent style, there being a good breeze at the time, and over eight feet of water in the -river, it being a high tide with a fresh running. The same tide the Necromancer left for the Buller. The body of the man who was drowned at the wreck of the Volunteer was found to-day half-a-mile from here along the beach. An inquest will r b"e held to-morrow at Kelly's Hotel, where the body lies. I can scarcely close this without expressingmy indignation at the inhumane manner in which the body of the unfortunate mail was exposed, "lying on the floor of the bar of the hotel on a busk,, stretcher, with drunken men stumbling over it, even some of them standing with afoot on either side of it. I think tho police, in taking charge of the body, might have shown some humanity;in the. matter. A great amount of indignation is felt here at the inhuman conduct of. .the -ferryman who refused to lend his boat to gomo volunteers, some of whom' risked iheiJJ personal safety , to , , save their feUoSii* creatures, particularly one of the name ot > David Collihs; I believe the people hero' are'abMt;to:iewaTd. I liim : 'f6r.'.lu^ : bo\ m vge, as this is not the first time he has been

serviceable in snch emergencies. Mr Kyrinersley has cancelled the ferryman's right to the ferry, which was a most v lucrative business, as the trade between * ihere and Woodpecker Bay was great. , To-day we had a visit of your tug, the Dispatch, landing a few passengers' and a couple of horses with gear, for the escort, m I believe about to be formed here ; but until the road is completed they will get J a spell, We have now a goodly stuff of vi^pplice and a lo k-up, ready to receive any who are not of the peaceable sort, A now t Court-house is in course of erection, I* which will be quite a boon to Mr Kynf nersley and those of the public who may : want it. Having made a special trip over to the Pakihi, I must say the Nelson Government has shown great energy in making roads; as the one from here to that place is going ahead— and will be a great boon to the traveller. No expense", is spared in bridging and courduroyiug the parts where timber is plenty, and gravel is scarce. The diggings there are very much scattered, from" one claim up to twenty in shallow, with the deep on Welshman's Lead at the rear of the town, which is, I believe, one of the best, some of the claims paying most handsomely. Having the acquaintance of a good number;of them, I had full information as well as a trial of prospects. There are eight or nine different patches where a large number are profitably at work, somo of them doing first-class, while others good wages down to tucker and a little -over. The nature of the ground being shallow, they soon know the results — the most unlikely place is generally the best for gold here ; water rights being all the «o. There is a large amount of gold being offered just now, the New Zealand Bank having a smelting office, under the management of Mr Brosidbent, who is busy from morning till night. I was present whi*u Mr Kisslhig, manager, .dispatched lOMozs. by the Bruce to Greymouth, that being the tirst shipment from this place, and before I left, they would have nearly as much in two days. This is not tin; getHngs of a week, but of a considerable time; but, still, the miners are all satistied with their earnings. The township looks healthy, and they anticipate a merry Christmrs, as nearly one hundred pounds was gathered in a short time.