SALTWATER AND NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 346, 2 April 1868, Page 2

SALTWATER AND NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Rutherglen, March 30. Before Westland was separated from Canterbury the mining community complained bitterly of the neglect shown by the authorities in not making tracks as I soon as a rush took place ; in fact, it was the rule not to do any tiling for their accommodation until the place was in a fair way of being deserted All parties cried aloud for an alteration from such a state of affairs, and when Westland was formed into a County and divided into. Road Boards, one and all amongst the miners rejoiced, with the. hopes, that now their grievances would be redressed and. their wants attended to.; but these hopes are far at present from being realised, for our Road Board as yet has shown no signs to anticipate our wanijs, for if they had done so they would not have lost a day before they had taken action in cutting a track from Welshman's Terrace to Limestone. Here is a work of urgent, necessity. A diggings lately opened, but almost inaccessible on account of there being no track by which provisions can be packed. It is the bpunden duty r f our Road Board immediately to provide a track to these diggings ; the welfare of the district demands that this work should not be delayed. The population would now be considerably increased, if only provisions could be procured on the ground. The diggings are daily becoming of good repute, and though not over rich they are the best this district can boast I of, and a temporary track would not cost much money. The whole length would not exceed two miles, which would connect Welshman's with Limestone. This work would not entail a heavy expense on the resources of the district, and would be the means of opening an extensive country, which is known to be auriferous, and which would find permanent employment to men for some time. The wants of the miners in this district have hitherto been neglected ; they have striven manfully against difficulties,, and loud have their complaints been at the negligence of the

authorities. Their welfare and prosperity are necessary for the benefit of all. Their wantg must now be attended to ; in fact, ought to be anticipated. Therefore, by all means let our Road Board show at once they are resolved to do their, utmost by having tracks cut wherever new ground is opened. On Wednesday night, Rutherglen was thrown into a great excitement through a man escaping-from the lock-up. It seems Constable M'Cormick arrested him at Parpa, on suspicion of having stolen property \n his possession, and conveyed him, I to the lock-up at Rutherglen, and chained him to the log. About nine o'clock, howr ever, hearing a noise he went to the door and gaw the prisoner escaping through the fence. He fired, but missed him. He immediately gave the alarm, and called on the townspeople to assist in re-cap-turing the runaway. Every exertion was, used to dq so, but to no effect, as the night was too dark. No blame can be attached to Constable M'Cormick, who showed the most praiseworthy energy during the whole of the nig^t to effect the re-capture of the prisoner.