SOUTH BEACH AND RUTHERGLEN DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 686, 11 June 1870, Page 3

SOUTH BEACH AND RUTHERGLEN DISTRICT.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] . June 8. In continuing the description of the sluicing claims on the South Beach, the Great Extended is bounded on the south by Barker and Co., who take their water out of Nelson Creek. They have been at work about three years, and have been very successful. This cannot be much wondered at since a portion of their ground included that celebrated claim of Watson and Co., who took out at first, according to report, 1001 bof gold. It is this celebrated lead the sluicing claims are situated on. Barker and Co. have worked a large piece of ground, in fact, nearly all from Watson's Creek to the Great Extended Co. 's claim. They have now taken up a fresh lease of five acres near the Golden Gate, on the Stony Lead. It is to be hoped that their new undertaking will prove as satisfactory to them as the old one has done. The next in succession is Colton and Co., who have been sluicing for some time past! It was in cutting their main tail-race that that dreadful accident occurred, when two men unfortunately lost their lives by the terrace slipping. They became imbedded in the sand, and the water rising in the race, they were drowned. Colton and Co. have worked a large piece of ground which they have found highly remunerative. Most of the party took an active part in developing the resources of the Stony Lead, in which they were very unfortunate ; they have, however, returned with double vigour to their old love, which they find more faithful to them than the fickle jade at a distance, and there is now no doubt, if they fully appreciate her smiles, that she will ultimately reward them for all their trouble. The Leviathan Co. comes next, and great credit is due to the party for constructing a most magnificent race ; without comparison it has not its equal in the district for its size and capacity in carrying a large . quantity of water — in fact— it can almost be likened to a small canal. To give some idea of the work that was performed, it is only necessary to state that it took thirteen men fully twelve months, and even then they had to spend some time before they could get into working order— in forming a branch race, and cutting through a high terrace. But it was a fine, sight, when all the preliminary work was done, to see the water flowing into the ocean. They certainly deserve every compliment for completing a most useful and permanent piece of work. The very dam itself, which has to be seen before it could be thoroughly appreciated, speaks volumes for their perseverance. The bye-wash which, they have formed is only on & par mthtbe rest — perfect. This magnificent race has now been in .working order for about twelve months. Some great drawbacks have taken' place through heavy floods and terraces slipping, but, notwithstanding all these, the company have been wonderfully successful, and it is no more than they richly deserve, for it w,ould be difficult to find thirteen more men to undertake a work of such general utility as this is. The company are all fully occupied in sluicing, and in addition, are able to dispose of a large quantity of water, which, it . is unnecessary to say, tends much to the general prosperity. June 10. I mentioned about a month since that parties were prospecting the terraces between the Deep Lead or Victoria Lead and the New River, in a line with Cameron's Terrace. I am sorry to say that one of them named Bird and Co. nj£Jt. with a very serious misfortune on Thursday morning. They were camped on the north side of the Gorge, and went to work as usual on that morning. They left a smothered fire and some light wood near, to be in readiness to rekindle when they returned to dinuer. After they had been away between two and three hours they were informed that their hut was on fire, when they immediately hastened back, and found everything destroyed that they possessed. This is very much to be deplored, as they are very hard-working men, and have been very unfortunate of late,, some of them having spent several months in putting in tinnelß on the Stony Lead, which they were compelled ultimately to abandon. It is to be hoped that the ground they are now in will repay for all their trouble and loss.: Misfortunes, it is said, never come alone, and it seems to be exemplified in this district, for on Sunday night last the high wind brought down a large rata tree, which fell acros3 the lower dam belonging to Hart and Co., breaking down the top logs and the supports to the. dam, the consequence being that a large portion was carried away, causing a very serious loss to the company. Every exertion has, however, since been made to repair the damages, several parties, volunteering their aid to assist in doing so. It is expected, if no unforeseen accident occurs, that it will he in working order in the course of next week. This is a very severe loss to Hart, and Co., and also to Robinson and Co., who are using thp water. They have been a long time Engaged in cutting the reef and getting into the run of the gold, and they were then oply ifl a fair way to get repaid for lost time. It is sincerely to be trusted that the dam when once repaired will long remain, lor the loss of water, even for a week r is of serious consequence to the district, '(JFwcontinwQm o/ + V?w8 ? see /Supplement.)