UP-RIVER DIGGINGS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 674, 14 May 1870, Page 2

UP-RIVER DIGGINGS.

(from our own correspondent.) NO TOWN. May 10" The population of the district is still increasing, but, as stated in a former report, there is really nothing to justify the large rush which lias taken place. The lead at Paddy's Gully is at a standstill, not actually because the gold has run out, but because the quantity of water contained in the ground has become so great that it will not pay to work it. The lead, as far as has yet been proved, has been formed by a gutter which came down the right-hand branch of the creek, and by another gutter coming down at the left-hand branch, making a junction under the present township. A little lower down the payable ground spread out and became a lead, in some places three claims wide, with bars of reef running through and parallel with the golden ground. The existence of these bars of high reef and duffer ground which separate the payable, run one from the other, has given rise to the supposition that there are two or more distinct leads, but such is not the ca3e as far as I have been able to find out. The fancy line lias up to this time been taken along the course of the deep ground, but a shaft which was bottomed by Stewart, Montieth and party, on Saturday, has proved this deep ground to be valueless. A fresli line of claims has been struck off nearer the terrace, and consequently in shallower ground, and until some of the shafts, which are now being sunk, are bottomed, nothing further will be known about the lead. The last claim that is . proved to be payable is in the possession of John Slattery and party. The township at Paddy's Gully is outgrowing itself. There are now two stores, Wo hotels, and five in course of erection, three butchers, two bakers, and two bootmakers, wtth another almost ready to, start, a blacksmith, a barber, and a dancing-room, and in what manner the proprietors of all these places of business' intend to do a legitimate trade, or to make a honest living out of the labor of 200 men, which is about the number who are actually on gold, it is difficult to understand. I have to chronicle the arrival at the upper town of Dr Hudson, a gentleman well known and respected among the miners in this and the Nelson Creek districts. A rush has taken place to German Gully, which is a tributary of Paddy's. There are five parties on gold in the terrace, and two in the bed of a creek. The length of the tunnels is about 50ft ; but the ground is limited. The tush to Paddy's Gully may now be considered to be over ; for although the deep ground near the junction with the main creek may contain gold, which, under more favorable circumstances, would be considered payable, the expense of getting it, owing to the quantity of water in the flat, would be too great to allow a fair remuneration for the trouble. Tail-races could be taken rip, but they would have to be of great length and breadth. Tunnels could be taken in a portion of the distance, but they would have to be close timbered ; and there is nothing to justify a belief that the ground contains sufficient gold to compensate for the expense. Several prospecting parties are out in the direction of the Brunner Lake, and there is no doubt we will soon hear good accounts of them. That the country in that direction contains rich alluvial deposits has been proved years ago. The great obstacle prospectors had to contend with was the difficulty of obtaining provisions ; but this impediment has, in a great measure, been done away with, in, consequence of the establishment of a township at Paddy's Gully, which is nearer the lake by nearly five miles than No Town is, and over the worst part of the track. The track from No Town to Paddy's is in a very bad state, and, in fact, it is positively dangerous. The townspeople have expended a sum of money in having the drift and underwood cleared from the bed of the main and Paddy's creeks, but wherever the track enters the bush it is, to draw it mildly, rather soft ; to be sure, there is a good bottom, but unfortunately the legs of horses are generally so short, that they (the legs) can't fathom it. Two long tail-races are being taken up towards the junction of the right and left branches of Abe's Gully. This place is beginning to look alive again. The heaviest undertaking at present in progress in the district is a prospecting tunnel, which is being taken in by .Tones, Hughes and party, at the foot of Joyce's Creek. They are searching for the lost lead at Joyce's, it was rich when it was last worked, but the water. was troublesome, and there was not sufficient fall for draining purposes in the creek. The lead is supposed to have taken the Southern Terrace, and this party have commenced operations from No Town Creek, with the expectation of finding Joyce's gutter at about 600 ft from the face. The distance they will have to drive will be greater than if they started in Joyce's Creek, but the facilities for drainage will make up for the extra work. The tunnel is in about 200 ft now, and a double line of rails is laid from the mouth of it to the tip. Gonedick's Terrace, near Irishtown, is almost deserted ; there is only one party at work there now. On the opposite side of the creek, near the foot of Maori Gully, Alex. Cohent and party are taking , in a tunnel to a run of ground which they expect will be payable ; they are in 80ft, Several parties are turning over the old ground at different places along the creek, with more or less success. I wonder if gold grows ? Four years ago, this part of the creek especially, was supposed to be worked out, but it appears it will stand fossicking still. There are about 20 men working up the left-hand branch of No Town Creek. The pioneer of this place, Mr Hugh Anderson, who has been working continually in it for nearly five years, has taken his departure for the " Old Dart" in company with his partner, Mr John Pratt, and by . < all accounts they didn't go away before ] they were ready. My old friend " Sam j Basser" is here still ; he was almost the • i first in the branch, but I hope ho won't j be the last, , , ( There are about fifty men at work on ( the Terrace about Marshall's store at « Sunnybank, and on the other side of the creek lower down, a small rush has taken t place recently. The prospectors, Messrs I Wicks and Slater, are on payable gold, but the prospects of the rest of the claimholders are not very bright, '

A meeting with reference to the proposed Grey Valley Hospital was held laßt evening, but the attendance was very poor, there being only about thirty people present ; but this can be .accounted f or.by the short notice which was given. The meeting should have been held at Paddy's Gully. A resolution adverse to the movement was carried by a majority of four. The want of an officer to issue documents in connection with the Wardens' and Magistrates' Courts is very much felt. This matter has been much neglected by the authorities, for a. promise was given two months ago that a person with the necessary authority would be sent up. It is nearly time a post office was established. The population of the whole district cannot be far short of 2000 now, arid it is a wonder that some person out of such a large population did not commence an agitation on the subject, I may inform the people of No Town, if they are not already aware of the fact, and it is very likely they are, for the individual I am about to refer to is not given to hiding his light under a bushel — that they have a resident among them now who can, and will advocate their cause, and get their grievances redressed. Let them put their case into his hands, and if he doesn't keep themselves and everybody else continually in hot water, I will never make a prophecy again.