MAORI CREEK.

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

MAORI CREEK.

(from an occasional correspondent.) Rosanna Terrace, June 22. Judging from the great influx of diggers lately to this rush, and the attendant characteristics of bustle, activity, and energy of these hardy unceasing toilers, it is becoming a busy quarter. I am strongly of opinion there is a payable run of gold about to reveal itself in this undeveloped district. This place has a lively appearance, tunnels being put in by those who have been fortunate enough to obtain satisfactory prospects, sinking going ahead with pluck and determination three and four claims abreast in advance of the supposed track of the gold, the rapid movements of the diggers to and fro, the more cautious, wary, lynx-eyed .look and step of others giving special attention to claims for " bits of spare," or striking lines compass in hand the course of the auriferous deposit, the cry of " look out !" resounding on all sides as trees come crashing down beneath the sturdy arm of the miner, the increase of buildings going up, are all peculiar scenes which favorably impress one with the diggers' faith in the place. Mining matters look in a healthy state, with the cheering knowledge of a genuine rush having set in. I shall now for the benefit of your numerous readers, particularly the mining class, give, without exaggerated statements, some account from personal observation and truthful report of affairs here just now. It shall be brief, but nevertheless comprise the essential indications and knowledge required as a guide to others. The claims on gold are about a dozen in number, prospects from two to six grains to the dish, with, as I have heard it variously stated, three, four, and five feet of washdirt. The proper width of the gold is not, of course, at present known, but from the position of some of the shafts bottomed with payable wash, it

is generally thought to be wide, the depth of jinking varies from fifty to sixty feet. Theie is water to contend with before touching the washdirt, which becomes troublesome as it is followed to the bottom. Shafts have all to be slabbed through, with the exception of a few feet puddled near the surface to keep drainage back it is dry for fifty feet. Timber is plentiful, as the flat upon which the gold is taking its course is thickly wooded. The flat now so much the centre of attraction is a large one, which admits of 'all probability that it possesses the continuation of the vein vi gold discovered. However, another week or two will give a fair estimate of what matters will come to here, as a long way in advance the grcund is being tested, and the diggers with great courage and pertinacity keep sinking to overcome all difficulties, imbued with the brilliant hope of " being dead on the lead ;" or, rather, as I heard a witty Hibernian once remark, "being fully alive on the run," more highly suggestive of pleasure from its delightful position. The water in some of the shafts is very heavy, and the idea is entertained that tunnels will be required to drain the ground properly. There is another subject I shall refer to — that of roads or tracks. The digging community generally, and very generally 'too, give precedence to the latter, because they are more quickly come at, suitable in emergency, cost less, the real auxiliaries to successful prospecting, opening up the country, and facilitating the transit of goods, giving cheapness and abundance to the good things of life. This place is quite isolated, and sorely in want of what lam treating of. There is a sort of bush track cut to within a couple of miles to this rush from the Greenstone, along which a large race is cutting, so that with much traffic and wet weather it will surely be in a bad state before long. There is another route running through Rutherglen, branching off from the tramway, and in passing through Welshman's there is a road to journey along neither fit for man nor beast. Meehan's track is the best and shortest from the Grey. I shall not now write much upon the improvements wanting in that essential desideratum — good tracks ; but simply point out the latter as the most accessible and nearest to the Grey. And here it may not be out ' of place to make the pertinent enquiry, if the powers that rule and regulate the affairs of the County properly consider the stubborn fact of the coast line of the County being well shaken in its yield of gold, and that it is the interior where necessarily remains the true source of productiveness. To all of common sense and practical experience it stands a verity, plain and incontrovertable, that the inland country must be made fit to travel through as well as to live in to retain ita mining population.' Impartially speaking, what is the feeling of the mining community ? Heart-sick from the heavy burthens and toil endured in this rough country, their feelings are those of disgust at the way their interests have been overlooked and neglected. It were well if the Grey folk took time by the forelock, and with all the energy at command hasten the completion of the proposed track to this district.