ROSS.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 778, 12 January 1871, Page 2

ROSS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) January 7. After one week's stoppage for repairs, during which time the whole of the claims on Jones' Flat were swamped, the" Drainage Engine is again at work, and one week's hard pumping at the rate of ten strokes per minute, of six feet lengths, was required before any of the claims on the higli levels could be worked. The Old Whim Party, a claim noted for its richness, were the first to go below, but owing to foul air were compelled to give up until the water had been cleared out of the air drives. At Bullock Point a fresh party or two have set in to work, one ab sluicing, and the other out of a shaft on a portion of the old Bee Hive -claim, long ago abandoned. The latter is something more than 100 ft deep, yet the three men at the ordinary windlass seem to keep the boxes going pretty regular. A small nugffct was obtained near thu place a short time back. It would be useless for me to enlarge on this part, because there is nothing to justify even a small rush. Some parties have for a month or two past been prospecting at the Saltwater, a place 40 miles south from here. They are getting very fair gold, but I very much 'question whether there is inducement for a number of men to go there. If possible I shall pay that district a visit during the ensuing week, and your readers shall know the result of my observation. ' Steam has been got up at the Scandinavian claim, but the number of hands employed are but few. It is the intention of the company to have the shaft sunk some 150 ft deeper. The Morning Star is also agoing, as usual, but no whisper ia. heard as to the doings in conuectiou with the Band of Hope, Ross Extended, or Kohinoor. The Ross Extended, with plant, &c, was purchased lately in Hokitika by Mr Cassius, and that gentleman visited Ross this week, it is hnpod with a view to having the claim worked. The large hotel erected by Wall aud Foyne has been sold by order of the mortgagee, and fetched L 240, the purchaser being Mr O'flara, of the Camp Hotel. It is the largest building in Ross, and no doubt but that in new hands, devoted to legitimate ends, the speculation will be successful. The French War Relief Committee have been very successful iv this district, a sum close on LI 70 having been collected. It could hardly have been otherwise, when such an indefatigable person as Mr Malfroy took the matter in hand. Our Christmas and New Year Sports passed off very well. As Ross rejoices in the possession of two good bauds there was plenty of music day and night. On New Year's Eve the usual practical jokes were carried out within reasonable limits, and smiles lightened up the countenances of both young and old. ■- There is some talk of a paper being started here in opposition to the Gfujcwdian, the friends of one of the defeated candidates having subscribed the needful to obtaiu a plant from. Victoria. The general impression is that a spirit of vindictiveness is at the root* of matters, owing to the impartial manner in which the paper was conducted during the contest, and such being the feeling of. th« public one cannot but foresee and predict the issue of a new one, viz., a very brief existence.