THE LITTLE GREY.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 525, 29 May 1869, Page 2

THE LITTLE GREY.

We have received from a correspondent the following jottings of what is doing at the various workings in the district, of which very little has been heard lately : — Mossy Creek. — The population at present in this Creek numbers about 40, must of them making small wagps. They are now at present engaged prospecting the terraces in the upper part of the creek. Red Jack's. — There are about six parties at work in this creek, all making small wages. Geordie and party have been engaged for some time bringing in a large >vater race. They have at last been able to set in to work, and are now mak* ing fair wages. Blackwater. — Much complaint is made by the miners of this district of the fearful state of the tracks ; in some places, in fact, they are almost impassable. It is the opinion of the miners in this district that if good tracks were formed that a great deal of payable ground would be discovered in this locality. Several parties have lately returned to these districts from Queensland, Victoria, Auckland, and other plaaes,. and seem quite satisfied to settle down here for the winter. Craig

and party have at last been able to get into working order, after a great deal of expense and labor. This undertaking is about the most extensive operation in mining that has ever been done in this place. They have diverted about half a mile of the bed of the river by cutting a flood channel 15 feet wide by 9 feet deep, in length about 700 yards, and raised the river out of its original bed the height of 14 feet into the flood channel by the construction of a very large dam on the triangle principle about 81 feet long by 22 feet high. They have been for the last nine months at this undertaking, and have this week got into the bed of the creek. They drain this by an overshot wheel about 8 feet high. Their prospects are highly satisfactory, about 6 feet of wash, which will average from 1 grain to 4 grains to the dish all through. This claim is worked by these old experienced miners in the most systematic manner I have seen. Their head race is two miles in length. Upper Red Jack's. — There is only one party at work in this creek, a "hatter," making small wages. Adamstown.— There are here about five parties, most of them prospecting. Yankee Creek.— There is one "hatter" prospecting on the range, also one fresh party set in at the foot of the creek. Antonio's Flat.— German Jack and party are cutting an extensive tail race half-a-mile in length, from 2 feet to 15 feet deep, for the purpose of prospecting the lower end of the Flat. There is one store in this place. The Pioneer Race is now in a distance of about 2£ miles, and carries about eight or ten sluice-headr* They are now working ground paying fair wages. The same party are cutting a deep tail-race, to enable them to work deep ground in the creek. They have about half-a-mile of it completed, a.nd it is expected another half will finish it. —The Cornstack Race Company is already in about a mile and a-half. They have been at work about twelve months. It ia about 2ft. 6in. in width, capable of carrying about six sluice-heads. The fluming is about 60ft. high. They have some years' work before them, and expect to be well paid. They have one cutting through the granite rock about 30ft. high, and in length about 100 ft. This claim is worked on the hydraulic system. Over the Saddle.— ln Nathan's Gully, Scott and party's race, christened the Lev:athan Race — they have been at work at this race since Christmas last — a mile and a-half in length, carrying four heads of water. The tail-race is about 200 yards in length, about 20ft. deep by 2ft. wide. They have some years' work before them, and are now at work making good wages, and expect to be highly remunerated for their trouble ; they have already obtained • good prospects. The track over the Saddle is nearly impassable— in fact, after the ilext rain it will be utterly impassable. If it is not soon repaired the stores will have to be obtained from the Buller side.