SALTWATER DISTRICT.

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

SALTWATER DISTRICT.

(from our own correspondent.) June 30. In my last communication from this district, reference was made to the sluicing claims, and I then said I should again refer to them on account of the improved method that was now being brought into general use by the application of the hydraulic. This system of sluicing far surpasses the old plan, and all the parties about here whose water is of sufficient height to provide pressure are adopting it. Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of witnessing it in full operation in Collins, Gallagher, and Co.'s claim. Their water j havingbeen brought to the highest point on the terrace, is flnmed for some 40 or 50 feet towards the face of the workings, the water is then run into a hose of about 50 feet in length, and at the end of the hose is fixed the tube, about two feet, the height of the Burning above the wash being upwards of 30 feet. The water passing through the hose and tube, which is rested on a triangle, is allowed to play on the dirt, and it is really surprising to see the immense hole it will soon make if allowed to remain long in one place. Some idea can be formed of the usefulness of the hydraulic, when if there is a good supply of water, that it virtually makes it unnecessary to use the pick, which is only required when there is any huge boulder resting on the bottom. After a sufficient quantity of dirt has been brought down the tube can be taken in hand, and turned on the gravel, the water soon washes out all the fine gravel, and the large stones have only to be thrown on one side. Besides saving the necessity of picking, more work can be got through by the use of the hydraulic than could possibly be done by the old system ; in fact, ground can be made to pay by ita use, which could not possibly be done by the old method. It is even possible for a man to work by himself if he uses the hydraulic, and he will get through more work than he could without it with the aid of a mate. Such is a brief description of the working of the hydraulic, which is much approved of by those who have already commenced to use that power. Collins, Gallagher and Co. have worked a large piece of ground by this means since Christmas. Hart and Co. (formerly Boyle and Co.) have also been using it since that time, and the ground that they have gone over speaks volumes for its use. Burns and Co., who are using water out of Hart's and Hughes' lower race, have also been using the hydraulic for the last two months. Davis, who owns a race, is enabled to sluice by himself with the aid of the hydraulic. The Cornishmen are now having some fluming cut, and it is not unlikely they willf ollow suit. There are other sluicing parties whose water could be advantangeously used by the aid of the hydraulic, and no doubt they will soon take advantage of it, and all who do so will find that more than a man's labor will be saved in a party, besides the expense of keeping picks sharpened. It is indeed very gratifying to find that this improved method of sluicing is being so generally adopted in the district, as by this means payable ground is made to pay handsome wages, and poor ground made payable by the extra amount of work that can be done.