UP-RIVER DIGGINGS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 540, 3 July 1869, Page 4

UP-RIVER DIGGINGS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) Ahaura, June 23. The dij»guig3 in the neighborhood of Napoleon's and Noble's are daily increasing iv area, and their importance steadily becomes more apparent. lam able to ( report two extensive rushes in their proximity, which promise to employ a large number of miners. The one which first took place is situated along the range which rises at the head of the first right- , hand branch of Noble's, and winds round the head of Duffer's Gully, in the direction j of Napoleon's. The lower end has occupied several parties of prospectors for a month or two, and a rush took place at I this part some time ago, caused through some of these having struck payable gold. Although at that time a large number of men appeared upon the ground, but little work was done to test the true value of the discovery, and the range in a few days presented its old appearance; a few of the men, however, steadily persevered in their efforts, which, I am glad to say, have been crowned with success. A number of men, known as Spec's party, struck still better gold about a week ago, and the nature of the ground is such as to fully warrant the belief that this is a long and continuous payable lead. This, combined with the fact of this identical range being the dividing one between two such rich gullies as Duffer's and Noble's, and evidently the original feeders of creeks from which such a large quantity of gold has been extracted, caused a large number of men to visit the spot, and the ground is now pegged out for nearly a mile and a half. There are over 200 men on the rush, and the number is daily increasing. I have not yet heard of any other claims having struck gold ; but it is a promising fact with this rush that the men appear all determined to set in earnestly to work, and there is but little seen of that shepherding which has hitherto been so common on the deep-lead rushes. The prospecting shaft is abo\it 120 feet deep, and the most of the parties are commencing to work their claims by tunnelling from the face of the range, in the same manner as is done at Napoleon's. The nearest way from the Ahaura township is along the new road that is being formed by the Government across Totara Flat, past Antonio Lardi's Btore, and up Duffer's Creek, a distance of about ten miles altogether. A great number of men have passed through here to the place this week, and although many of these may meet with disappointment, I have no doubt as to the permanency of the new workings. The second rush took place on the range skirting Half-ounce Gully, at a point about half a mile further on than that formerly mentioned as having been opened by Wilson and party. A large number of men were also attracted here, and I heard of some having obtained really good prospects. The accounts, however, are very contradictory in this respect, and until I can certainly learn more than the information I now possess, I shall not speak in such a hopeful tone of this rush as I have already done about its neighbor. When I visited the ground about 100 men were camped there, and the most of the ground was pegged out. This range leads round to Napoleon's, and joins the track at about the same place as the one previously mentioned. The road to it is also the same, except that the traveller in going up Duffers' Creek must turn off to the right at the foot of Halfounce Gully, and mount the range opposite Mr Lonargan's store. I have previously mentioned the new Go /eminent road, which is now formed for about four miles, and is intended to form part of the grand road along the bank of the Grey river, right up to the saddle. The road is substantially formed and drained, and the bridge at Brandy Jack's ia the best constructed I have yet seen erected over any of the creeks. The road is being energetically pushed on, under the superintendence of Mr Dent, and reflects the highest credit upon that gentleman for the ulanner in which it is formed. Wlieu finished, a laden dray will he able to go from the commencement of the Nelson province, at the Arnold river, right over the saddle into the interior, and good Bolid side tracks are being simultaneously made to the various diggings, meeting the main road at the foot of the various creeks. The natural consequences of this liberal outlay by the Nelson Government will be cheaper provisans and new gold discoveries, and I should like to know what the County of Westland Government has yet done to vie with them in this respect. As far as we up-river people are concerned, their dealing with the Arnold and Greymouth track is a specimen sufficient. Ou the Totara Flat, Mr Antonio Lardi j has made a tramway about twb miles long, extending from the foot of Brandy Jack's, at which the boats discharge to the foot of Duffers' track. It is a spirited though rather expensive enterprise, and when fairly made to join his track to Napoleon's, will undoubtedly do much towards lessening (he price of provisions, and benefiting the mining community. At Noble's 1 have nothing fresh to communicate, with the exception of a small rush having taken place on a terrace at the back of Mackley's store. The prospectors — M'Kenzie and party — are engaged cutting a race here, and struck a prospect of 2grs. to the shovel. About twenty men are on the ground, but I do not think that it will turn out anything important. At Napoleon's matters remain about the same, nothing fresh having been struck, and the holders of the original claims appearing settled down for a good long spoil of work. One of them, the well-known " Jolly Packer," sold out last week for Llls, the gold being only struck that week. lam glad to notice that the police authorities have recognised the wants of this part, and have sent a reinforcement of two constables to the assistance r>f Sergeant Walsh, who could not have been expected to maintain order alone. At Orwell Creek mining gbea on steadily, but the trade of the township appears rather dull. I had an opportunity to inspect the claim of Carroll and party, a really good one, as they are getting an average of sgrs. to the dish through about two and a-half feet of dirt. This excellent claim was discovered through cutting into a Biding in laying a tramway for Keary and party. I visited Moonlight this week, and will send you an account of its present workings in my next letter. A new area of sixteen acreahas been surveyed for another

reef company, and I may soon have to treat of this creek in a more important sense than its diggings have lately warranted. Many of the larger buildings at the new Ahaura township are now finished, and a spleiftlid ball and supper was given last i week by Mr J. D. Pinkerton to celebrate the opening of his new Star Hotel. It wivs the best affair of the kind that has yet occurred up the river, and over 100 people sat down to supper. The ball was held in the large room intended as a billiard saloon, and was attended by the leading tradesmen of the district, accompanied by a large sprinkling of the fair sex, who whirled in the mazy dance until the small hours of the morning.