NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 742, 20 October 1870, Page 2

NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

(FROM OTTJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) October 19. No-Name is being gradually deserted. Claim after claim is being worked out, and the men leaving for other localities. It is a pity to see expensive undertakings ' left that have cost miners an immense amount of capital and labor without an adequate return. There have been a few claims that have paid for the work that has been done, but they are the exception not the rule. The road that has been made to Nemona has proved a great boon to the place, and as it is the highway to the Greenstone, the sooner it is extended to that place the better. There ia no question that there is not a greater re- | quirement in the district than a direct ! communication with the Greenstone, and it is to be hoped that the Road Board will take immediate steps to condemn the road from Nemona to that place. Marsden, the emporium of the district, i is becoming a very important inland town. I It possesses four large hotels, that would bear favorable comparison with any in Greymouth, four stores, four butchers' shops, one blacksmith and a shoemaker, besides several other residents. It is most admirably placed, being the terminus of the tramroad, and also situated on| the banks of the New River, where the boats can ply to. From this point roads branch off to Picton and Nemona, and numerous tracks lead to various shallow workings in the neighborhood. The township of Marsden has been well laid off, and various building sites have nearly all been taken up. One of the greatest requirements of the place is the want of a Post Office, in fact there ia no place so much deserving of one, its importanca demands that this requirement should be immediately attended to. Whilst other places rise and fall, Marsden will remain. It is a pleasiug sign of the times when the Church of England authorities are talking about erecting a branch church there, and no doubt the other denominations will soon follow suit. It was expected that long before this the Government would recognise the importance of this place, and at least have a police officer stationed here who c mid issue miner's rights, &c. This is the proper place for the Government to hold the Warden's Court, *c, but of course those at a distance know better than tho3e persons near. Mar3den is celebrated at the present time for the low price provisions can be. bought for, the consequence being that miners far and wide resort there to get the necessaries of life. The price of beef, however, has been raised during che week ; formerly prime joints conld be bought for 6d per lb. , now they cost 7d. The low price of provisions is much appreciated, and the consequence is that upon some days Marsden is quite thronged with customers. As regards mining matters there is very little to chronicle ; everything is going on aa usual. There is no particular increase or decrease in the population. No fresh ground is being opened, and the universal cry is for water. " What would I not give for water if I could only get a constant supply,*' is the universal cry.