ORWELL CREEK.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 797, 15 February 1871, Page 2

ORWELL CREEK.

February 13. The holders of the original leasehold at this place, formerly Clarke and Evans's party, have abandoned the plan of draining the ground with machinery, and they are now taking up a deep tail-race, of which there are about 9 chains completed, and there are about 14 more to do. The company's wheel and pumps were powerful enough to drain the ground, but the wear and tear were very great. The worn-out belts, &c., were to be replaced at great expense, and the company decided that it would be cheaper in the end to maue the tail-race and be done with any further trouble. The machinery, which is about the best plant in the district, an- J swered the purpose for which it was intended. It enabled the company to bottom and test their claim, and that was all that was necessary or requisite. One share has been sold in the leasehold at £55, and two others at £JQ each. Although the ground is poor about here, there is an immense area at present prospected that will pay wages. Two of the original shareholders in this lease have set into work, sluicing, at some old ground known as Yankee Charley's Point, on the left of the road, between Noonan and the Albion, leasehold. The Albion Company have their tailrace taken up, until the stripping became inconveniently deep, when a tunnel wat>

commenced, which is now in some distance. James Connolly and party, inthe adjoining extended claim, are likeljto Jbe at loggerheads again with Noonatfsparty about the water in the creek. Connolly's party have an overshot waterwheel on their claim, and they took the quantity of water requisite to work it from the creek. Noonan's party objected to this, because it deprived them of a portion of the supply they allege they are entitled to by virtue of theirjegistered right. The case came before the Warden at Napoleon on the 3rd inst., and it is likely to be brought on again in the shape of an action for damages, at the next sitting of the Court. The litigation between these parties is entirely owing to the defective state of the mining regulations. Hansen and party are making good headway with their new water-race. They will have the first branch of it in in about two months. They have raised the water from... a creek running between Orwell Creek and the Ahaura river, and the supply will be unlimited. In making the portion of this race which is finished, a tunnel 600 ft long had to be cut, by which means the necessity of going round the range for nearly a mile and a half was avoided. Hansen's party intend to begin to sluice at Whale's point, and continue working down the range towards Nocnan's claim. .

Noonan's party are preparing for another general clearing up. The party are now some months sluicing since the last washing-up, but the wafer has been at times very scarce. They have also lost time in consequence of the series of lawsuits with Connolly's party about the right to lift the water from the creek, and the difficulty appears to be as far from settlement as ever. This party's face 60ft in height. Alexander M Donald is about shifting the terminus of his water-race from the place he has been working so long at Topsy Creek to another locality. race commands all the auriferous ground in the vicinity, and the supply is practically inexhaustible. ~