NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1173, 2 May 1872, Page 2

NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

(FROM Wit OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Mayl. One of the greatest works ever attempted, in this district is that of the New River Water- Race, which is now in a fair way of being an accomplished fact.It is this and similar undertakings that will ultimately prove serviceable in keeping a large population here. Ground that has yet escaped being worked for the want of a constant supply, as well as that which has been casually worked with a limited supply, of water will give constant employment for a large number of men as soon as the race is finished. The whole course of it after, passing through the tunnel, traverses an auriferous country that has kept a population for the last five years, and though it hai not rewarded the men with large piles, yet h has given fair wages assisted often with a good patch. To show the kind of country it goes through it is only necessary to say that it goes past Meehan's, and then on to the Limestone, where even a little gold is being still found, and although the population there is very small, some of them are making wages that would do credit to most of the up-country diggings that are often spoken of. Certainly the gold that is now being found may . only be • a ' patch, but it shows that there are soirie yet left to reward enterprising miners of whom few are more . . deserving than the New River Water-race Company. The ground round Limestone is shallow, and has supported till recently ; about twenty men ever since the great rush to the Eight-Mile. Lately, how- • ever, some have been allured away by the Reefs and the Diamond Fields, but fresh finds have induced others to fill the vacant places. To cross from the Limestone range to that some high fluming will be required. The race then follows the high range round till it reaches the \bridge over the gorge on the Marsden side of the cutting on the Paroa and Marsden Tramway. At this, point it ia contemplated to put in a tunnel through Pine Hill, and terminating at Irishman's Creek. It may be said when once here, that all difficulties will end, and that the ' race will supply, a large population with constant water long before it reaches this point. The New River Water-race Com- < pahy have ten men employed in its construction since December, 1870. They have erected a ; dam across the : NewJ River near Maori Creek, cut the race a distance * of two miles to the point where the-. r long tunnel commencas, which 1800 ft in length. This took six months to complete, the reef proving extremely hard, %: requiring to be blasted. They are now engaged in cutting the race between the ■ tunnel and Meehan's, a distance of .about one mile and a quarter. They expect to te there in a few weeks. From Mee.

ban's to the Limestone, 2£ miles, some flnming will be required. From Limestone to Pine Hill, 3£ miles, the fluming over Moa Flat will be about 100 f t; fortunately the distance is short across it. The tunnel through Pine Hill will be 20 chains iv length. The race will here be about 35ft below the surface on the top of the hill at Pine Tree. The race is cut 4ft wide, and is capable of carrying 18 Government heads. The destination of the race will be the Saddle, Manukau Flat, near Rutberglen, and the Beep Lead or Victorian Lead. The whole length of it to the termination of the tunnel at Pine Hill will be 8£ miles. It is understood that the company purpose applying for the Government aid, which will enable them to push on this most desirable work more expeditionsly, as they will then be in a position to put on extra men.