THE SOUTH BEACH.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 502, 3 April 1869, Page 2

THE SOUTH BEACH.

: ♦- - (from our own correspondent.) Some time since I mentioned that three long tunnels were. in course of construction from the Beach to the Stoney Lead. Two of them have been completed about a fortnight. They were commenced about the, beginning of November, and have been energetically carried on ever since. The one furthest south, known as Scaulon and party, has engaged eighteen men, who form three separate parties — Robertson and Co., Holly and Co., and Evans and Co. Some doubts were at one time entertained of the payable nature of the ground to which they were taking the tunnel, on account of it being both deep and wet, consequently it was not able to be thoroughly prospected. However, the result has proved most beneficial to the different parties who have now been enabled to thoroughly test their ground, and have succeeded in getting prospects to meet their most sanguine expectations. No doubt this success will encourage other enterprising men to examine the country which, intervenes between the south end of the Stoney Lead and the Lagoon Lead. There is fully a mile and a-half of country yet to open, and although, there has been a few shafts sunk, yet there is no doubt, if it : is possible to take in tunnels, that similar results might follow, as has been the case with Scanlon and Co. The other tunnel that has been completed belongs to Howison and Co., who also form two separate parties, Howison and Co. , and Gadd and Co. They had, however, previous to the commencement of the tunnel, succeeded in obtaining splendid prospects. In a small shaft '3ft. by 2ft. they obtained 3oz. of gold, and in a small paddock which they also put down, succeeded in getting equally as good prospects. When it is considered the length of time that it has taken all these men to complete these tunnels too much praise cannot be bestowed on them, for independent of the great length x>f them, the main ones about 900 feet, besides branch ones of nearly 200 feet, the ground proved most difficult to get through on account of the running nature of the sand, and the great quantity of water which had- to :be encountered. Time after time they were forced to desist from work, and it almost became questionable whether they would ever succeed, but that indomitable spirit ■ of determination to conquer carried them on, and helped them to complete- two of the most important works on the South Beach. . -I The men are now busy employed; in putting down paddocks, and there is no doubt that when the time comes to wish \ip the result will prove highly satisfactory. ;