SALTWATER AND NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 440, 7 November 1868, Page 3

SALTWATER AND NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

(VJROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT,) Rutherglen, November 6. The Stoney Lead continues to be the centre of attraction for those parties who have been working lately near the beach. Everyone entertains the highest hopes of it ultimately repaying well for the immense amount of labor that the miners will have to go to before they are able to get gold. Fresh claims are still being taken up, and it will not be surprising to see the lead ultimately traced on till it joins the Lagoon Lead, of which there is very little doubt that it forms a part. The casual observer, when he visits these workings, cannot help being struck with the signs of prosperity and content, so far as the old residents are concerned, and in time it is to be hoped that the same may be Said of those who have lately taken , up claims. Before any of the new claims **■ can be worked it is essentially necessary that tail races should be constructed, and the nearest point to the beach where they can be formed cannot be reached under eleven chains. This will give some idea of the labor and time they will take to . complete. I cannot help paying a compliment to mine host of the Junction Hotel, for the boon he has conferred on all parties bj* cutting a splendid path from the beach direct to the Stoney Lead, and those residents in Greymouth who feel disposed to visit the diggings can do so without at present being subject to a muddy track. There is very little doubt when the men get into thorough working order, which I calculate will take some three months, that it cannot fail to prove advantageous to Greymouth and the neighborhood. By-the-bye, there is a rival race going on just now between the two gigantic water-race parties who are taking water on to the beach. The Leviathan Company is composed of 13 shareholders and the Great Extended of 8 shareholders. The name of the former bespeaks its size, and the latter is correspondingly large. Both parties are about equal distance from the beach, and purpose letting water out when they get to the Stoney Lead, so that it now becomes a matter of some interest which succeeds in arriving first. It is unnecessary here to dilate on the advantages of these races ; the time will come when they will be christened, and then this sub- 1 jM can b« mor« fully entered into ; how-

ever, to give some idea of their importance it may not be out of place to say that the cost of the construction of them will not be less than £7500. Greymouth may never despond whilst she can boast of 21 hard working men undertaking works of suoh magnitude unassisted and unaided by Government. On dit, it is rumored that a miner from the Eight-mile is likely to come forward as a candidate for the Paroa District in the County Council. It is very desirable that the "country 'district should be represented by ■k' resident, as he will be more likely to know the requirements than a stranger. It is to be hoped that this rumor may prove correct, as the gentleman referred to is in every respect well qualified to fill the position of a representative.