SOUTH BEACH.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 667, 28 April 1870, Page 2

SOUTH BEACH.

— ♦ — (prom our cvwir correspondent.) April 27. About eleven months since the North Star (Simpson and Co.), in conjunction with Stansell and Co., commenced a tunnel at the back of the Welshman's, near the Nelson Hotel, for the purpose of prospecting for the Stoney Lead. They have indefatigably continued their labor ever since, though somewhat disheartened by the many failures around, they manfully persevered when the chances of success were greatly against them, and have at last been rewarded for all their labor and anxiety. Fickle fortune has bestowed her smile on them, though hard to be won, she loves devoteduess and con. stancy, and these men are to be congratulated for persevering so long, and at last gaining all they wanted. Great advantages are likely to accrue from these parties having struck payable gold in ground that was abandoned, and has again been taken up. Smith and Co.'s old claim has again been occupied. This lies between the North Star and Greymouth Gold Mining Go.'s ten acres blosk, which is also reported to be marked off. Since gold has been struck the men have been engaged in taking down paddocks, as it is considered that this is the moab ready way to work the g-ound instead of tunnelling, which would necessitate a great deal of heavy labor and expense on account of the difficulty of getting the proper kind of wood for slabbing, &c. The washdirt that has been thrown up prospects very well, and if the results only equal them the man must consider themselves fortunate. It is thought they will have their first washing in a month from this time, which it is to be hoped will exceed then* sanguine expectations. The All Nations are now making up for the vexations delays that they have had since their claim ,vas opened. They have already driven out the southerly portion of their ground, towards the Unicorn, and are now busy paddocking the northerly portion. There is likely soon to be a new era on the South Beach as regards travelling, if report is correct that a steam engine will soon be seen running between Greymouth and Paroa. The present tramway is to be removed alongside the terrace. This will of course necessitate a removal of the different business places. Education for the young seems to be in a very unsatisfactory state on the Beach. Great complaints are being made about it. As this, however, is a subject worthy of more than a passing remark, I shallposfcpone entering more fully into it till next week. Education for adults seems to be more attended to — Debating Clubs being now the order of the day. Paroa set the example, md Rutherglen soon followed suit ; in both these about 150 members are now

enrolled. During the week some very important meetings have been held respecting the alteration in the mining laws. Several very necessary suggestions have been made respecting the size of the ordinary claim, which it is thought ought to be increased to 60 feet per man, and also, that shafts 40 feet or tunnels 100 feet long should have extended ground. There is one subject that has not had proper ventilation, and that is the felling of timber in creeks and rivers. For years past it has been the custom to fall trees into creeks, as being the most ready way to get rid of them. The effects of this will soon be apparent, for the timber is keeping the gravel from being washed away, and the consequence is that the creeks are being rapidly filled, and in a short time the low ground will be entirely unworkable for want of drainage.