THE MOONLIGHT DIGGINGS

Grey River Argus, Volume IV, Issue 281, 31 October 1867, Page 2

THE MOONLIGHT DIGGINGS

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) / Moonlight, October 26. As our district is now famous for rain, hail, and cloudy weather, yet there are many gleams of golden sunshine peering out — not from under thick set clouds — but as a stratum of boulder, clay, and gravel is removed, a whole system of sun, moon, and stars, shines on the bottom of a miner's paddock, and the present season must be harvest time, as a worthy son of Erin, the other day, held, up a shining lump to the smiling gaz.e of his mates, with an exclamation, ■" Arrah, boys, these are the praties I like to be a digging." It is true, nuggets aye almost daily appearing, and their frequency now cause «o excitement. There was a. paddock washed off last week, which produced 96 oz, shewing lumps of various siges and weights. It is a mistake with. many miners who come here with pick, shovel, and dish, giving the place a few days triaif and going away with the impression no more gold can be got. The true state of affairs is, those who are now on gold had to spend several months putting their claim in working order, and procuring hammers, blasting tools, and barrows, with no small amount of money, energy, patience, and perseverance. There is a steady rush now setting in to the Left Branch, as several nice nuggets were brought to light, 'and is no doubt a continuation of the rich run of gold going through Smyth's terrace. Should this prove to be so some big nuggets may be 'expected. This creek is unusually deep in places, but quite shaUow'in' others, presenting the same features of boulder and gravel, open terraces, and crevice rocks as the ground already proved. The Middle Branch is a 'creek, very little prospected, in consequence of the paddocks going deeper than usual at a short distance up. The terraces are not tried, -and are, I am sure, the Best; looking in the district. The bed rock vs.% hard silicated schist, with mineral veins 'following and crossing the lines of stratification. The Bight Branch is working for a short distance, and most of the gold lias a jagged appearance, evidently shewing, that it came from the reefs. On this branch the reefs are working, but little can be known until a "crushing takes place. I am informed" by Mr Caples, that he is in communication with the iron founders of Sydney and Melbourne, ,therefoj:e something definite will soon be kriown^ The reefs look well and solidy having the gold more through the stone, tlie gold finer, and walls more even and solid. There is a rare facility for cheaply working, as wood and water is on the ground, a steep i mountain side for tunnelling, and a of low angle for a road. v- It is poof positive we must be a thirsty people, as we have a whole brewery in fi|ll working order to ourselves, arid can quench o.ur thirst by the bucketful., a^ ' ' ' ■■-. •

Things more sad— to pur exposure-v-often cross our path. lt;'is but a: s^irt titne; singe a'poor fellow losth^life ii^ajtmi^. by a set of tinibei ■ gwing ivay ih"ifoTia&t? inexplicable wanner, as'^the Welt Co©; ipanuot produce a better party of men, or a claim more securely timbered. We are aware of , the apathy shown to us by officials, ,$a this poor fellow- was interred . without the usual inquiry", although more than one of his mates came to the camp and gave notice. No more than the usual questions relating' to his money took place. A few days ago another nnfor ? tunate fellow got his, leg broken falling a tree, and nothing can induce him to go to Grreymonth. We were in hopes the Superintendent would pay a visit to us, as there-are many matters touching the welfare of the dis- ' triqt, both in rescinding and substituting many mining clauses suited to our workings, and making our roads a little more passable, After all the money drawn by Government from us, we are left to pilot our way through Horrible roads and miry pathways, -