CALLAGHAN'S CREEK

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 700, 14 July 1870, Page 4

CALLAGHAN'S CREEK

July 11. The population of this creek is steadily increasing ; there are now between fifty aud sixty men working in the creek and 011 the terraces. The miners at this place and the adjoining creek (Sullivan's) have suffered more than the inhabitants of any place up the river from the want of tracks. They have been at any time during the last two months in danger of actual starvation. Although the diggings are in the centre of a populous district, the difficulty of reaching them, except in ver3 T fine weather, is such that the residents are in a measure buried alive the greater part of the year. To reach the Ahaura it is necessary to cross the Ahaura River, but this is not at all times practicable, and to get to Nelson Creek a high and precipitous range has to be climbed over. The horse track is by way of M'Keuna's track to the brewery on the Ahaura, and thence up Callaghan's Creek, but when there is a fresh in the river the whole country becomes a lagoon through which it is impossible to take horses. It is only about four miles from the Ahaura starting directly across from the township, and a mbvement has been set on foot to get a road made by this route. The miners in Callaghan's have subscribed over L3O. Mr Peter Bjorklaud", a shareholder in one of the large sluicing claims, has canvassed the Ahaura and obtained about LSO more ; this, with the subsidy which the Government usually 2»'omise— L 2 to every LI subscribed by the public — will make a passable track. The rush which took place about six weeks- ago to the upper part of this creek did not turn out as well as was at first expected ; four parties are working there and making small wages. The ground is shallow and .easily worked, but the parties have to ; travel a long distance for supplies. The sluicing claims on the terraces over the main creek are all in full work, water being plentiful after the late rains. It never can rain to<> much for the miners in this locality. Three parties are tun . nelling in the deep ground below Hil and party's claim, and two parties have set into the creek further down. It is expected that the new main road from the Ahaura to the Arnold — which will pass through this. creek if it ever be made! — will open up a large area of auriferous country; but in the meantime, in spite of all drawbacks, Callaghan's is becoming an . important place The miners appear to

be comfortably settled, a good many of them are married men, who have their wives and families with them, and they have evidently made themselves snug for the winter.