SALTWATER AND NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 724, 8 September 1870, Page 2

SALTWATER AND NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

| • (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDiiNI.y >? ' September^. I There is 'some talk of a party being formed to bring in a large water-race to command the high terraces in the district. Should this be done, and there is every probability it will, there is no doubt of its doing an immense amount of good, for there is a large extent of ground that is known. to contain payable gold ifonly water was, brought on it. -It is reported that the levels are to be taken this week, and that, if possible, the raco will be first taken to Limestone, and then continued along the Saddle, and on>-to Manukaii or Diamond Flat. Although, this race wonld be very beneficial and do V good to a few parties, it ia thought if the Government would. 'only construct a gigantic one, and supply the miners with water at a nominal sum, that hundreds of men would be able to find reomnerative employment for years. The miners are. beginning to agitate . the Jiecessity of the Government doing something for the benefit of the district; They say truthfully that there is no part in New Zealand that is more in want of water than this, and that, there is no district that would, repay the Government so well. From the beach to Italian Gully, and from Greymouth to the Greenstone, every high terrace contains gold, and would pay for sluicing, if there was only water at a nominal rent. It is understood .that a requisition is about to be presented to the Chairman of the Road Board requesting him to call a public meeting:, to take into consideration the necessity of memoralising the General Government to cause the" necessary surveys to be immediately taken, and also showing the necessity of a large race being at once made.: It is to be hoped that now this subject is broached the miners ■ throughout the Saltwater and New River Districts will 4o their utmost to forward the proposition by holding meetings, and signing the petition to the General Government. If this is done, a new era of prosperity is in store for all, and it only -equires the men to be unanimous to have ;heir wants attended to. It ia impera* ively necessary that an abundant supply >f water should be provided if the present )opulation is to be kept here. It is the 'ace parties throughout the district that ire giving a permanency to it, and as the arious leads in course of time become ex» iausted, the men working on chem wil|

have to leave, unless waiter is foond for them to s'o>ce with. It 5s an admitted fact by every nnnev, when conning down t-je New Hiver, tbat be could do very we'l if, be could on)y get water, and the higher it conJd be ta'ren the better it would pay. The whole length and breadth of the New E ; vor and Saltwater districis may be described as sluicing ground, and every foot of it will be worked in course of time if only races are brought on. Afc present all the available waier is taken u l , llerefore, if more is brought in, it will have to be fetched from a great -distance, wbich places it out of the power of the nv'ner or sm?.ll capitalist to undertake such works. It is to be hoped ,^3 tbe Gen< rtl Governmen t are no .v proposing io enpend money on the gold fields iv providing water, that these important districts will not be overlooked. Much will depend on ourselves, therefore it becomes our duty to bring our requirements under the nofc'ce of the Government; hence the requisition now in course of signature. The population of these districts remain abiHit the3ai»e. lieports from Mosquito are encouraging ; six or seven parties are spoken of as being on gold, and some more tunnels are going in.