GREENSTONE.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 563, 26 August 1869, Page 2

GREENSTONE.

(prom ovr own correspondjent.) ••; August 23. The present aspect of affairs on the Greenstone looks anything but encouraging, although for all that there are some reasoning persons here who predict that ere long a "change will come o'er the spirit of the dream" ; and though perhaps, the best days have passed, there are others still in store, when no frantic excitement of rushes, putting up of business-places, &c., exists, when legitimate gold-getting, a legitimate number of stores^ and other places to supply the wants and a^u^e^ ments of the digger, will create a morehomely, settled, and money-saving principle than has. been experienced heretofore. It was prognosticated in a report written some months back what (as far as, regards the business people were; concerned) would take place, and even so. it has come to pass. Over twenty-five business people have either filed their schedule, sold out, or else given up trade in this; place altogether; and stiU, even taking; that into consideration, there are nearly 50 per cent, too many for the purpose for which they are here— viz., to supply the. diggers. To enumerate: at present then* are two banks, 22 licensed houses, comprising 16 hotels, four billiard-rooms, and two dance-houses ; nine stores, four butchers, three bakers, three drapers, one chemist and doctor, two blactomiths," ov& ironmonger, four shoemakers, one cordial maker, two hair dressers, one tobacconist, one fruiterer, and one sign writer and painter— in all, nearly sixty business, places. This would make a good set out for a small settled town, whereas here, when they first started, they were perfectly well aware that the mining population could never continue as it then was, simply for the reason that as soon as the claims were worked out there would be an exodus somewhere else ; and the verynature of the ground the miners worked proved that this would be the case in a, shorter time than on most of the gold fields. One can confidently predict that ere many weeks are over a good few of those places still in existence will have left in disgust (in the cases of publichouses, many waiting until their licenses are out) a field to which they will long repent they ever came ; but it was an error of judgment on their own part and not attributable at all to the gold-bearing properties of this district, which, taking the latter from the first of the rush up tothe present time, have been as prolific as. any other in the County. To make matters better in their opinion, the publicans, have now reduced their drinks to 6d per nobbier, cash ! This, jet it be perfectly understood, is not giving the Greenstone: a bad name, as far as mining is concerned ; but, as stated before, business peopla over-rushed the place, and the sure consequence ensued. And now a resume as regards mining. Various as are the opinions freely and openly expressed by those who have left this field as well as those now present,, the ultimate conclusion to be arrived at is, that it was not such a bad place for the: time it lasted; but claims were worked out too soon, leaving the district in its; present normal condition. The excitement of Noble's, Napoleon's, and the: , Eight-mile rushes caused men to leave in 1 crowds just as their claims were worked out, while those few who .preferred remaining here had to prospect for new ground. To stand on the Duke of Edinburgh Terrace at the present time and from thence glance down upon the Greenstone flat would rather take by astonishment a person who had only been here a day or two at the first of the rush. Acres and acres of ground have been turned over in a space of time, where on most other fields miners would only be. about getting into good working order* and perhaps receiving their first or second dividend. The" Greenstone flat is now all butj worked out, the whole of the space at the back of the township, towards theter- | race, having been absolutely dissected. A. small point below the township, and dowa i the creek is still undeveloped, where men are gradually working down to. The Duke* of Edinburgh Terrace has still its saving point before being deserted or worked out, in the shape of sluicing claims, to be. worked by water supplied by the Big Hohonu Race Co. Already have parties, who have taken up ground for that purpose, commenced their tail-races,although, the race is not yet completed, and there;

is little doubt that other men will follow suit as soon as the water is in. The Argus Terrace, although pretty well turned over, has nothing like the appearance of the two above-named places, but it is gradually and surely gr>i»g ahead. All the par- , ties working on that side of the creek are perfectly well satisfied with their prospects. This terrace will last for sqme time to come, indeed it is believed it will outstand all the other places now at work about the township. Maori Point is much about the same as usual, all getting gold, some very good, some small wages. Although the ground is shallow, and easily worked, it still retains its population, and indeed it will be a long time before this part is thoroughly worked out. Taking into consideration that this was the first gold field in the district, it appeal's almost as if it was going to be the last also. There is talk about an event taking place this week, which will cause our otherwise quiet township a slight sensation—the christening of the Greenstone and Hohonu Water-race. The works are now all but completed, and, considering the amount of labor so quickly and so well done, it reflects credit both on the contractors and the management.