RUTHERGLEN DISTRICT.

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

RUTHERGLEN DISTRICT.

(from our own correspondent.) May 11. I paid a visit to Manukau or Diamond: Flat last week and found it to be about l£ miles from Rutherglen. I was very 1 much struck with the splendid way of working which one party had adopted, and great credit is due to them for the labor which they have gone to. They have taken in an open cutting from the edge of the terrace about 400 feet in J length, and in some places 20 feet deep. In this they have a tramway laid for the purpose of taking the wash to a large paddock. All this work must have taken a long time to execute. They have now such a ready #ay of working and can consequently run such a large quantity of stuff through, that ground that would be worthless to others withont the same conveniences can be made to pay handsome wages. Of course it is unnecessary i to say that this party has been here for some time ; in fact, they have remained here ever since the ground was first opened, rather more than twelve months since, when reference was made to it in the Argos. The dry season compelled others to vacate it; but through having secured available water, they remained stationary, and gradually made themselves a valuable claim. The change in the weather during the last month has however not been without its effects, for again some of those who were there before, have returned once more to give the place a trial. This Manukau or Diamond Flat, which is so called to distinguish it from the one near the Cock-a-Bulla Creek, is of some little extent, and wherever shafts have been sunk a prospect more or less payable has been got. The ground is shallow— the stripping runs from one to three feet, with about the same amount of wash. The greatest drawback against this place is the want of a constant supply of water, if this could be procured, there is no doubt of its maintaining a permanent population for years, as it is, only a few parties will be able to remain when the weather is at all dry. The great difficulty of carrying water to it is the height of the ground. It is, however, whispered that there is a party about being. formed to take water out of the New River near Maori Creek. If they proceed with this undertaking there is no question that it will be the means of an immense tract of country being worked that now lies idle on account of there being no supply of water. '■ '■' ■' ■ - -. -