SOUTH BEACH.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1102, 8 February 1872, Page 2

SOUTH BEACH.

(from our own correspondent.) v • February 7. That portion of the Stony Lead lying between Watson's Creek and the Australasian Hotel, is likely now to have a thorough trial; It has been previously announced that Descaciata and Co were about to take in a deep tunnel from the Beach for the purpose of testing Jthe ground, It now appears that they have amalgarhate'd with Waters and Co to take in the tunnel, which has,, been named "The Hand-iu-Hand"— which is from 10 to 12 feet lower than those formerly used. The Hand-in-Hand is now in; COO feet, and it is, expected to be 1000 feet in: length before thelSad is reached. So far the amalgamated parties have been foituiiate in meeting with very good ground, and some idea of it may be formed from the ; r being able to average one foot per hour. It cannot, however, be expectedthat ; they will always be so fortunate, and they jnay yet be delayed. Taking all circumstances into consideration, it is. thought that three months will see it completed.: Every preparation has been, made to advance the work. The party are divided into three shifts, and work night andiday. tThey have laid down a tramway on the terrace about half-a-mile in length, for the purpose of conveying the to

the claim, which has to be let down a shoot 300 ft long. „ : : „'■ r 'Descaoiata and Company haye taken up the old Cumberland ciainV-on the, south,, and Waters and Company Paul's old claims on the north, both parties having extended claims. When this ground was previously. , tried the^tunnels, were taken in on the same level as Barker and .Company had formerly worked on, and when they reached the line of the lead they found they were not deep jenough, and had to .abandon it. This piece of ground has always been looked ion favorably by all parties, and reminds ione of the old Stony Lead where the tetfI race at the back forms a half-circle, and even the best of the gold there was not \ found till twelve months after it was | opened, so there are "hopes of this new i ground being still worked profitably; in •fact, there is very little doubt of it now, ; as some of the parties' are 'composed of the right men, ". who have worked ;oh the Stony Lead for years, and ifc is to bo hoped they are in the right place at last. . Barker and Co. , > who ■ are now sluicing on, the terrace to the south of the, ; Half-way Hotel, , have .made great progress, and what is better have been well rewarded for their 1ab0r. .... They are now, J taking in a fresh . tail-race,, or, rather, | deepening the one which will be long-re-membered on account of that dreadful accident that befel two poor ; men some four years since. The. Long Drive has not yet struck the gold. . They were sinking- a shaft yesterday, and expected to bottom by the even-, ing. It is expected yet to take a fortnight or three weeks before it will be deter- : mined whether payable gold exists or not." Even now every foot they go may give them fresh cheer, for they know not how : soon they may be on it. Time and patience may yet reward .them for all their toil and trouble, if Plutus will only be propitious. '