THE UP-RIVER DIGGINGS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 465, 7 January 1869, Page 3

THE UP-RIVER DIGGINGS.

(from ouk own correspondent.) Ahaura, Jan. 4, 1869. The holiday season that has just passed away has been attended with what we have come to look for as a matter of course, viz., bad weather, and what is always spoken of as the "Christmas flood." lam happy to say, however, that> unlike last year, no buildings have been carried away, and no accident of any moment has occurred, On Saturday last, a. boat belonging to Antonio Lardi, whilst proceeding to the Ahaura, with a full cargo and. three or four passengers, including a female and child, was capsized at that dangerous fall, at the junction of the Arnold and Grey Rivers, The cargo and all in the. boat were precipitated into the river, and had it not been for the timely exertions of Mr Langdon, the ferryman, ably assisted by Frank Silver, the steersman of the boat, several lives would assuredly have been lost. All lives were saved, but the cargo was irretrievably gone. This is not the first occasion that the prompt assistance of Mr Langdon has been, instrumental in saving human life in the some place, and such bravery deserves public recognition. Great numbers of our miners have been tempted to forego their usual Christmas trip to Greymouth through the unusual attraction of sports and games being held up several of the larger creeks. Free banquets were given by some of the leading storekeepers to allcomers, and I fear most of your hotel-keepers would miss many of their accustomed visitors, At Nelson Creek a large sum of money was collected and given as prizes for various feats of skill. Everything passed off quietly, and the best feeling was displayed towards each other by the large concourse-of miners thrown together at this festive season, thereby showing how unfounded are the malicious attacks that have lately been made against the character of the inhabitants of this creek. At Moonlight, a really splendid dinner was prepared for their customers by Messrs White and Garth, after which the miners vied with each other in shooting at targets, putting the stone, races, and other games. The same amusements prevailed at Orwell Creek, where Mr Samuels entertained a large number of guests with good old Christmas cheer. Mining matters have been naturally at a stand-still during the past week ; but I am happy to have to report one or two items of good news in new and prosperous finds. At Noble's Gully a lead has been struck in a terrace at the head of a small creek, about three miles from the present workings. It was discovered by a party of Frenchmen, who sunk a shaft and struck payable gold at a depth of 110 feet from the surface. About 60 men are now engaged sinking, and I heard of four different parties having bottomed upon the same lead. It has been named the Napoleon Creek by the prospectors. lam unable to give you the exact prospects, having learnt the above particulars through evidence given in a case held at the Ahaura, on New [Jf ear's Day, between the prospectors and a party of men who had endeavored to jump a portion of their ground. I intend to visit the spot next week, and will then furnish you with more extended particulars. As regards the other and older ■workings of this gully, I continue to hear the most favorable accounts, some of the race parties having undoubtedly the best claims iv the whole district. At Orwell Creek, Charles Harvell and party opened some new ground last week but one, on the top of a spur leading down to Topsy Gully, and obtained a prospect of six or seven grains to the dish. About 30 men are how on the gold. Orwell Creek maintains about 200 miners, many of them on first-rate claims, and all doing well. This gratifying Btate of affairs is, however, mainly due to the plentiful supply of water of late ; and, should dry weather set in, it .would retard the working of many of the claims. There are four stores and two hotels here, and two other stores at Canadian Gully, a fewmiles higher up the creek, and employing about 50 men. I purpose making a tour through this district next week, when the men may be expected to have again settled down to ■work, and hope to be enabled to describe the workings more fully. I notice in your last issue that a writ has been returned for the election of a new member of the Provincial Council for the Grey River district, anent which I may inform you that a requisition is in course of progress, inviting Mr John Drummond Pinkerton, of the Ahaura, to come forward as our representative. The evil of selecting a member coming from a distance, and knowing little or nothing of our actual requirements, has been grievously felt during former sessions, and it is determined to remedy this by returning a gentleman who, like Mr Pinkerton, is well known and respected, arid, above all, resident amongst us.

Prince Charles of Roumania has asked for) and obtained, the hand of Princess Thyza, the third daughter of the King of Denmark. The alliance will closely connect, the Prince .with the Courts of St. Petersburg, Athens, and London.