COLLINGWOOD MINING NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 853, 21 April 1871, Page 2

COLLINGWOOD MINING NEWS.

[CORRESPONDENT OF NELSON EXAMINEE], For the last three weeks we have experienced a succession of stormy weather, accompanied with heavy rain, precluding almost moving. A break on Monday enabled me to start via Appoo's Creek road, which, by-the-bye, requires the attention of the Road Board in manyplaces. On reaching Appoo's Flat, a solitary hatter was at work ; the contrast was striking when looking back at the scene presented some years ago, when all was bustle and excitement. Travelling up the creek, you suddenly break into an oasis — neat wooden cottages, gardens, <fee, all in blooming condition, evidently pourtraying that other cares occupied the tenants' mind besides gold. I did not visit Glengyle, but pushed on up the spur, passing the abandoned workings of Washbonrne, tramroads, wagons, water-wheels, &c., and reached the far-famed Richmond Hills, now again, after three years, about to enter into another lawsuit for encroachments, &c. Mr Ross and party have commenced sluicing on the other side of the saddle leading into Appoo's Creek. All is in confusion here, there being no appear*

ance of method. There are three parties workinc here, and two further on. Goldeljßully (as it always will) has a number^Bold hands at work, the old digger P^^rall sticking close to his lease, and realizing a comfortable return for his labor. I descended into McGregor's Gully, and found Mr JBopwood steadily pursuing his very arduous undertaking. He has commenced on a low level, and is bringing up his tail-race, which at the end of his ground will leave a face of fifty or sisty feet. The sides are handpaved with large boulder stones— some a ton or more in weight. The amount of work executed by one man in four years must be seen to be appreciated. He has erected a neat cottage, thatched with rushes, built his chimney of quartz stones, all carried some distance, made his bellows, smith's forgo, &c, his carpenter's bench, a wood-shed for seasoned timber, fenced in his plot of ground with split slabs, has his fruit trees of all kinds, grows his own potatoes, cabbages, turnips, carrots, cauliflowers ° &c. ; in addition, he hascut a deep and wide race for the conveyance of surplus water from Golden Gully, having tunnelled across the dray road ; he has two tunnels in his tail-race, rendered accessible by means of a shaft, using a ladder for descent ; in addition, from his main dam he has again tunnelled through two hills to obtain a fair Bupply of water at an easy gradient. The amount of work done, and in the main of an adverse character, fully shows what can be done by indomitable perseverance, industry, and foresight. A visit to this place is well worth the trouble to reach the place. I crossed over the spur and reached the Bedstead Gully. Some eight years ago the sole occupant was a man named Cook, who has now gone away. The whole cantour of the place is entirely altered — broad streets and tramroads are seen in all directions, comfortable hotels, stores, bakery, machine house, and attached a neat verandahed cottage for the manager. Everything betokens a readiness to go ahead as soon as the required quantity of water is obtained. I am told there are about 300 men on the various diggings, and that the quartz reefs are looking up ; some are at the Boulder and some at the Kaituna. On the whele I see a decided improvement in the district. Should the companies now at work prove their claims successfully, its advancement will be secure and permanent ; and I have better hopes of it than of all the boasted riches of Wangapeka. There is more energy employed, more foresight displayed, and perseverance under, in most cases, most adverse circumstances.