NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1342, 16 November 1872, Page 2

NEW RIVER DISTRICT.

[FROM OUR OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] November 13. This week heralds in good news for thi3 district, the New River Water Race Company haying so far completed their race that they are now in a position to supply water on Murphy's Plat at Charley Meehan's, at LI per Government head, and parties not able to pay the money in advance, have an opportunity of substituting labor for that amount. As the water commands payable ground the terms offered are extremely liberal, aud will proved very acceptable to many men who may bo desirous of availing themselves of the offer. It is now just two years since this race was first commenced, and nearly L4OOO have been already expended on it, and when completed to the termination on the saddle, near Pine Tree Hill, it is calculated to cost LIO,OOO, onethird of which the Government have offered to advance some time o"r other, for they are certainly a long time in doitig so, and if they would use a little more action, and less red-tapeism, the better it would be for all parties. The race, when finished, will bo about 12 miles in length, and capable of carrying 15 Government h«ads of water, and it is of the most vital importance to the district that it should bo utilised as soon as possible along its whole course. Ifc is certainly good news to know that this Company can now supply water at Meehan's, which will find remunerative employment to a good few men, but how much more gratifying would it be to see the water used at the Limestone and on to its termination. How many more men it would employ in the first instance, and when the water was again caught in the lower dans it would be used by others. Everyday lost is a loss to the country, and the Government, in procrastinating and delaying a work of

so much importance, is doing a serious in j v ry. However advantageous it might bt to have the whole of the race completed, it is indeed pleasing to know that the Company can now supply on ground that is known to be remunerative), and offer terms to poor men that cannot fail to be acceptable. The miners round Meehan'a and the loft-hand branch of the New River, are all doing as usual, although during the, past week most have been partially idle for want of water, which has been the general complaint throughout the district. For the last five or six years this part has maintained a steady population, and some who have possessed a wandering notion have again returned after a little time. Limestone still retains its old fixed population. Rushes have no charms for them. They are contented with their lot, and and so it may well be, for it is calculated that their banking accounts would bear favorable comparison with any similar number of miners on the Coast. It is reported that a claim lately worked out furnished about L2OO worth of gold to its fortunate owner. Not bad for the 1 Limestone, but the place is so very patchy, that a man never knows when" he may not drop across one, or how soon it may drop off.