GREENSTONE.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 590, 28 October 1869, Page 2

GREENSTONE.

(from ak occasional correspondent.) POTJNAMTJ, Oct. 25. Mining matters in the Greenstone district remain at present in much the same dull state as for some months past, but there are some hopeful signs of a greater prosperity before long. Increased activity is visible on the Duke's Terrace, in the shape of sluicing claims — several fresh parties having set in to work, stimulated by the very liberal terms offered by the Great Race Company, who supply water at L 2 per week for a Government head. I am informed that fifteen heads are already let or applied for, and the Mining Surveyor last week laid off four more extended claims on this terrace. The company themselves have now fairly begun to work their ten-acre lease, and at present have a good number of men employed in taking in a large tail-race from the face of the terrace. They have applied for a lease of an additional nine acres on the flat below as a site for tailings. If this is granted, they will no doubt proceed vigorously with sluicing, and benefit the district by employing a large number of men. The quartz fever has, to a slight extent, reached here, there being a good deal of talk just now about some specimens brought in by an individual bearing the appropriate name of "Mountain Jack," and said' to have been procui'ed on the eastern slope of the Hohonu range. As a straight line drawn from the Moonlight reefs to those at the Taipo would, it is said by good authorities, pass in that direction, it is quite possible something may hereafter come of it. In the meantime it is proposed to send out a properlyeqiiipped party to the spot to obtain more definite information. I have not seen the specimens, but I am told that gold is visible in them. It appears that the Government intend to sell the occupied portion of, the township on Shed Flat, and have instructed the District Snrveyoi- to peg out the sections. Ido not think this is a very wise proceeding, as the flat lies very low, and is liable to be under water in every high flood, so that what the Govern nient'realise from the sale they may one day have to spend in protective" works. And although it seems at present a long time to look forward to, yet if the sluicing of the terrace was to proceed on a large scale, it is quite possible that eventually the whole of the flat would become a vast tailing site, in which case the township, being freehold, might cause difficulties. On the other hand, there is an excellent site for a township across the creek, on a terrace raised 20 or 30 feet above the highest flood, where no mining operations would be interfered with, and the new road to Hokitika passes right through it. I certainly think that if the Government persist in making the present township the permanent one, they will some day regret it. We hear many rumors of the changes likely to be made in the Wardens' department, but until something more definite is known it would be premature to offer any opinion upon the matter further than this, that it is very necessary that Warden's and Magistrate's Courts should be regularly held on the days fixed for them, otherwise great hardship is inflicted on miners who come in, often from long distances, on the appointed day, and find that there is no Courb.