UP-RIVER DIGGINGS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 655, 31 March 1870, Page 2

UP-RIVER DIGGINGS.

(from qvs, own correspondent.) Ahaura, March 29. Of the two great grievances which Jiave existed in the Napoleon district since its discovery, namely, the condition of the tracks and the want of a Warden, and Magistrate's Court, at least one of them is in a fair way of being redressed. The surveyors have been at work onthentw track from Mathews' Hotel to Orwell Creek, and a new line is cut which will almost entirely avoid the Greek. The line is finished as far as Topsy Creek, and it is nearly two miles shorter than the old one. It was at first intended to continue this track only to Orwell Creek, and then ascend the hill to Napoleon by M 'Donald's track, but I understand that idea has been abandoned in favor of continuing it round the range and gradually rising the spur behind the Royal Hotel until the township is reached. With respect to the establishment of a Court here, there appears to be some diversity of opinion among the inhabitants, but aa the Provincial Secretary during his lata visit distinctly lold the deputation which waited on him that they need not expect anything of the sort, the question may be considered settled for the present.. This decision of Mr Greenfield has given general dissatisfaction, and it is no wonder, if the grounds on which the conclusion has been arrived at are taken into consideration. It was said that if a Court were held at Napoleon the people residing at the other mining centres, such as Moonlight, Nelson Creek, No Town, &c., would require one also. It is very likely they would, and so they ought. The other objection the Provincial Secretary made to granting the request of the deputation was the extra work it would impose upon the Warden ; in that case why not relieve that officer of a good deal of the clerical work which he at present performs, or appoint an additional Warden., which is not at -all an unreasonable request, when the vast extent, of country over which the present Warden presides is taken into consideration. There is nothing new to report in mining matters. There are rumors of a probable rush at an early date to the Cariboo Range, which is a continuation of the Mosquito, and about five miles from Napoleon. Parties have been prospecting in that direction for some months, but although the indications they have met with have induced them to continue their operations, I believe nothing payable haa been struck yet. The claims at Napoleon are becoming gradually worked out, and nobody appears to be much the better for the gold which has been obtained. Months ago I said this would be the case, and I then attributed this to the small size of the claims allowed by the regulations, and I am of the same opinion still. The late dry weather has had a depressing effect on business; this and the departure of a considerable number of miners, principally foreigners, for the rush at No Town, has' made trade rather dull. The township presents quite a brilliant appearance at night, since the ukase has been promulgated and enforced that the publicans must keep the lamps in front of their houses alight. Some of these can only be called lamps by courtesy. Over the door of one "hotel" I saw what appeared ta me to be a candle stuck in a bottle, but I suppose it is a light " within the meaning of the act." The tender for removing the Police Camp into the township wi* be opened to-day by MrDobson, the District Engineer. Many shares have changed hands during the last fortnight. A one-fourth on Ooffey's Terrace for LSO, Thete is a good deal of litigation going on among the shareholders on this terrace, which shows there must be some valuable ground about. A share has been sold in QJsen-'s claim at Half-Ounqe for L3O. At the Canadian Terrace, at Half-Ounce, Cosgrove and Co* have their tunnel in llOOf t. ; the ground is so loose, and there ia s,uch a quantity of water, that they have had to wethbox the drive, Aonehfifth share has changed hands in a claim at Mosquito for L^fi. The prospects of this lead are improving, but until the tunnels which are. at present going in both from the Mosquito and Orwell Creek side of the table land reach the supposed run of the lead nothing further will be known; Mr Surveyor Bull and his staff have their prospecting line from the Ahaura.

Township to the Arnold nearly through. They have been searching for the best course through which the proposed main road through the Grey Valley is to be taken. They started from the opposite side of the river at the Ahanra and continued their course through Sullivan's and Callaghan's gullies, thence by the lower part of German Gully, Nelson Creek ; they crossed Nelson Creek at Jones' dairy, on Milkman's Flat, and crossed Red Jack's Creek about three miles above Camptown, then through the Eight-mile or No Town Creek, and they passed the Twelve-mile township between Molloy's farm and the main range ; they will probably reach the Arnold a short distance above Curtis' ferry. The party passed through some splendid-looking country for gold, a good deal of it entirely untried, especially between Nelson Creek and Red Jack's, and between that creek and the Twelve-mile. The population at Paddy's Gully at No Town is still increasing ; there are about fifteen claims on yold. The miners have not such a good opinion of this place as they had, and there is v great danger of its becoming over-rushed. The road to No Town is likely to become an accomplished fact at last.. Mi* Surveyor Coe has received instructions to proceed with the laying ontof its proposed course, and that gentleman and his staff commenced operations yesterday. The bridge?, which is ixreourse of erection over the No Town Creek at the m.iin crossing, will soon be finished. It will be a substantial piece of work, and it reflects great credit on the contractor, Mr Garvin . The auth orities do appear to be stirring themselves at last, and if only half the promises which have been made be performed, we will have good reason to be thankful. The main road from the Ahaura to Totara Flat is nearly finished, and tenders are out for constructing the i*oad from the Ahaura, which is to join the Amiiri track eventually. At the Black Ball Creek the population is slowly but steadily increasing. Simpson and Co.'s water-race is finished ; it is a well-constructed work, and will enable the company to maintain an abundant supply of water. This creek only requires a passable track to it to make it become a second Moonlight. About fifty men are ground sluicing, and making wages, at the Stillwater Creek, about seven miles above the bridge. __

ever party first became convinced that their ground was "duffered," should leave, ami on leaving they should be held free of all liabilities incurred on the claim, which amounted to about L3O, but the party which went out should leave all tools, plant, &c, behind.- It was also agreed that the clause respecting the right to use the tunr el should only apply to those who were members of either party when the agreement was made, and that any person who might buy into the claim or obtain possession of a share by any other means should only have a right to a share in the ground, but not to the tunnel. Defendant (Hayes) became possessed of a share with Grundy and party on January 26th, with, as was alleged by plaintiffs, the right to use the tunnel only under the conditions of the agreement. This defendant denied. On 16th. March, Grnndy and Patterson, the owners of the inner claim with defendant, became convinced that their ground was valueless. Accordingly they left, but defendant refused, and it was to compel him to do so that this action was brought. Alfred Grundy, one of the former shareholders, gave a history of the case from the beginning, on hearing which the Warden gave judgment against defendant, with L 4 6s costs. An application was made by James M'Larer, Alex. M'Alven, and William Turner for permission to amalgamate their tunnelling claims, at Moonlight, "on* the ground that from the peculiar situation of their claims they could not be worked to advantage without amalgamation. The application was opposed by Philip Rowe and H. G. Uankiri. Mr Drury appeared for the applicants, and Mr Davis for objectors. After a long hearing, the application was dismissed as applied for, but M'Laren was allowed to hold one man's , ground.