SOUTH BEACH.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 749, 5 November 1870, Page 4

SOUTH BEACH.

(f»om ova own correspondent.) Nov. 2. Although Hie old portion of the Stoney Lead may be numbered with the past, yet there are five or six claims in full working order on the New Lead that will bear favorable comparison with any that were ever opened on it. It will be remembered that the All Nations was the first that struck gold on the New Lead, and with the exception of the time lost when the tunnel wa3 partially destroyed by the floods, it ha 3 paid the shareholders extremely well till within the past few days. Since then aome ot the men have abandoned the ground. Nevertheless, the

remainder still continue to give it a more effectual trial. A long blank then takes place in going north till StanseJl and Co.'s claim is reached. They are stripping the ground, and, according to reports, this claim, so far, is one of the richest that has ever been opened on this lead. They are working from their northerly boundary, and till their southerly peg is reached they will have a long job. The North Star Claim comes next, and, like Stansell's, have had some exceeding rich ground. Within a few feet of their working a party of men were prospecting about three j'ears since. They spent. some time in putting down a paddock, and even borrowed the boring-machine, but all to no effect. They missed the gold, and left it to be got by the North Star Company, who took the proper method by taking in a tunnel. Gifford and Co. come next ; they are working to the north-east of the ten-acre block, or better known as the Greymouth Gold Mining Company's Claim. It is said they have had some good payable stuff. The Age of Progress followed, and although one of the first opened, it has always maintained a good name for paying well, and will favorably compare with any of its neighbors for being remunerative to the shareholders. The old Pioneer Claim has been again taken up by some of the original shareholders of the Golden Gate, who ceded from that company and took up the abandoned grouad, which is reported to be paying very good wages to the proprietors. The Golden Gate claim is as good as ever. It is being worked towards the Pioneer, and is paying exceeding well. It was thought at one time that the gold had run out, and part of the men ceded from the company ; but the remainder, not satisfied with, leiving a iirge piece of gronnd which was unprospected, betwen the Gate and the Pioneer claim, determined to sink a shaft in it, and the result was that good £oli.l had been struck, and once more the nlil claim became as valuable as ever, and it is to be hoped it will long continue so. Little can yet be said how the wheel claims will alternately turn out. It will take nearly three months before it can be said whether they -will be successful or not. It is to be hoped that they will prove so, for the shareholders have been to great expersa and labor in getting them in working order. The Greymouth and Saltwater Tramway Company are making great progress with their new line. It is now completed, south of the Half-way Hotel. It is being extremely well laid, and looks very substantial, compared with the old one. Of course it requires to be firmly made to admit an engine to travel on it. The proprietors are not hastening the work so quickly as they might, as thez-e is some ground that ia known to be auriferous, and they wish to give time to the men so as to enable them 'o work it.