MINING NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 662, 16 April 1870, Page 4

MINING NEWS.

SOUTH BEACH. (from our own cobkbspondent.) April 13. Most parties travelling between Greymouth and Hokitika are aware that the New River empties itself into the lagoon, , which, in conjunction with the Saltwater Creek, takes a northerly course past Paroa and flows into the ocean near the Gardens. The heavy downpour of rain which took place on Saturday evening and Sunday morning caused a very large flood in the New River, so much so indeed that it has cut a new channel into the ocean between the boatman's house and Discaciata's, about one mile and a half from the Teremakau. This will interfere in some measure with the traffic along the beach, and in the case of a flood communication between Greymonth and Hokitika.will be cut off. A boatman has, however, at once placed a boat on the new channel to ferry parties across. It yet remains to be seen what effect' this eccentric change may have on the Saltwater Creek, for during ordinary dry weather there is not suffTcient water coming down it to keep the mouth opes. Should this become closed it is not unlikely that it will empty itself where the New River has formed its new opening. There is no doubt if this channel keeps open that there will be great alterations on the beach, but. whether it be for weal or woe n»«~---be seen. Two very *'~" interests are " A hund^-" 1 Plains to important private. • ... «v stake, in which ff<sme „ous of pounds are invested, each being in a measure entirely dependant on the future course of the New River. One thing is very clear, that if the present mouth continues open it will be the duty of the Government to place a bridge over it. Public necessity demands that this should be done, and that without delay. As regards mining there is not a great deal to be said. The old claims on the Stoney Lead are becomiug fast worked out, there being only five in working order out of ten original ones, and considering the length of time this lead has now been opened, this consummation cannot take anyone by surprise. Gadd and Co. 'a claim will soon be numbered with the past, and the same may be said of Keith and Co.'s claim. Barclay and Co., Walker and Co., and M'Kenna and Co.'s old claims are also fast coming to an end. All the claims on the original portion, of this lead have paid the shareholders well. At the southerly end, where Scanlon's tunnel was taken in, the three claims are entirely worked out ; one of. -these proved a very good one, whilst the others did not pay for the labor that was bestowed on them. Several of these parties, who will soon finish work on the Stoney Lead, have already taken up the beach lead in large blocks, and it is their intention, after a preliminary examination to test its payable nature, to erect machiuery, with the most modern improvements. It is well known that gold is scattered through the whole of the sand in a greater or less degree, but through there not being sufficient fall it will necessitate raised boxes and means provided to run tramways to them. Of course all this work will have to be done with water power, and it is thought by ■working it thus on a large scale that it will give the different companies large dividends ; this, of course, time and labor will prove, but it is to be hoped that it will be the case, for the men deserve success when they invest large sums in machinery to work ground which must otherwise lie idle.