NO NAME AND SOUTH BEACH.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 611, 16 December 1869, Page 2

NO NAME AND SOUTH BEACH.

(FUOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) December 15. Those who have carefully washed the progress of mining at No Name since the second rush must have been struck #ith_ the steady rdvancement towards prosperity which has been manifested from week to week. This is to be attributed in some measure to its not being over-rushed; a steady population poured in at first, and as prospects showed so did itiucrease. The consequence is that there is that absence of grumbling which is usually to be met with at other places. Every care has been taken by "Your Own" to describe everything in its simplicity, without that amount of blowing which is to be met with in'other places. Why if Hokitika possessed a No Name it would be honored by a visit from his Honor the Chairman of the County Council and all the other paraphernalia of royalty. It would be looked on as the chief source of prosperity for the whole of Westland. The Hokitikians would go heart and soul for anything and everything that would benefit No Name ; a miner's grievance would be then their grievance ; but not so with the money-grubbing Greyites. So long as their object is obtained they care nothing further about the welfare of the miner than his well-filled purse. It has been well known for some time how grievously illnsod the miner at No Name has been. Whenever he has occasion to require the aid of a Warden he has never known where to find one. Buffetted from No Name to the Eightmile and then to the Greenstoue, his feelings have had no sympathisers ; no one cares for him so long as he pays his way. What does it matter whether he is kept dancing attendance after the Warden or not to those parties who are so much employed in counting their money. It may seem a matter of indifference, but not so with the thinking: .population, for they, know' too well that miners when employed are adding to the wealth of the country, which they are not doing when running about. It is said that there was once a mining association formed in Greylnonth at the time of the Stony Lead affair to look after, mining interests. Is not this question about the Warden's Court one of sufficient importance to them to use their influence to ameliorate in some measure the hardships the miner has now to endure. Is there no one to take their case in hand, have they no member who will interest himself on their behalf. It is to be hoped if they have that he will make it his special business to bring it before the Council, as soon as it meets, bydoing so be will be conferring a great, public benefit, and gain the good wishes of all. Referring to a paragraph which appeared in Saturday's issue, the shaft put down was only 15ft, and.has.no connection whatever with the ground that is now •attracting so much attention. This shaft was sunk at the bottom of Cement Creek, where it runs' out into a small flat terrace. The creek itself had been previously worked to within a few feet of the shaft. There is no question that the parties got payable gold, but it was hardly of sufficient importance to make special comment on it, as there is not ground, to influence the prosperity of No-Name. : One or two parties getting a patch does riot warrant more than a passing notice. Payable^ gold has now been traced on the South Beach from Jack or Nelson Creek to near the Ballarat creek. So far the men have to be congra- ( tulated in being successful in their spirited undertakings, and it is to be hoped when they come to' prove the ground more thoroughly, that it will be equal to tK& expectations that are to befound from preseut prospects. There is no doubt that a little township will be formed on this high terrace'abutting on the beach, and central for the Caledonian, Golden Gate, and Pioneer claims; It is admirably adapted for one, and already a store and hotel is in course of erection, and other business sites. marked off. Before, however, anyt 1 inj fivfcher is done, the Government ought to lose no time in surveying a township, as it will ultimately have to be done, and by doing it at once it will save a great deal of unnecessary trouble, .and inconvenience to those who intend building.. If the Government does not take the initiative in this matter, the available ground will be taken up by private individuals* who will want a large recompense for permitting persons to build on it. The good old rule of the greatest good to the greatest number demands that this land should not be even temporarily alienated from the Government, but that they should survey iJfQr a township, so that all. may particir

pate rather tfian have the whole monopolised by one individual. Most people will long remember the unfortunate accident that befel the All Nations, Homeward Bound, and Unicorn, companies a short time since, and lam sorry to have to chronicle another of a> similar nature to the same parties lately. - After the first roishap the united companies set manfully to work to put their tunnel into order again, and they had so far succeeded that they had begun to calculate when they ahoitld once" more be enabled to resume their usual wort, when a few days ago rain again fell to such an extent that the tunnel became seriously damaged, which necessitated the men once more to make a fresh beginning to put it into order. This segond accident will throwWfche men back some timej which is much to be. deplored. They are indeed much to be pitied, and well do they deserve it. It would be useless to recapitulate the. difficulties and hardships they have had. to encounter, and it is to be sincerely hoped that the new yqar will introduce a fresh era in their fortunes.