NEW RIVER DISTRICT. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] December 20.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1373, 23 December 1872, Page 2

NEW RIVER DISTRICT. [FRO M OU R OWN CORRESPONDENT.] December 20.

The Government are at last taking some decisive steps in reference to the New River and Hibernian Water-race Companies. Estimates are now being made of the work that has already been done on them, so that the Government may be enabled to advance the subsidy that has long been promised. Both companies will then soon be in a position to push ahead their present undertaking, and it is desirable for the interest of the district, as well as that of the shareholders, that they should be brought to their termination as soon as possible. The dryness of the present season, and consequently the scarceness of water preventing men from working is sufficient proof that these races are urgently required, and if water can be stored in quantity to last through the periodical dry seasons, they will prove invaluable. No doubt every available watershed will be , taken advantage of by converting it into a reservoir for this purpose, and thus saving a large quantity of water that now runs to wa?te.

Miners are beginning to complain bitterly against the mining rule that compels water^race companies to let a certain quantity of water pass down q,ny creek if it is required by any party below them. Whilst this rule, no doubt, is of paramount importance on new gold fields, yet it is now thought that the time has arrived when it ought to be amended, so as not to make it compulsory on a Warden to decide against the race, but rather to be left open to be decided by his judgment. Different cases require different treatment, but where, as is sometimes the case, a water-race company, after expending months in putting in a dam and cutting a race, unfortunately incurs the disapprobation of some party who has only to take up ground in the creek below them and force the race company to let the water pass down, j;his \& sq manifestly '.obr noxious anji so very injurious to the mr terest of those parties who benefit the whole country by building dams and -«»ttiug_raEes, that it is clear that some alteration isTequireu ; noc~tnair-tt— ia desirable that a monopoly should be established, but rather that it should be left to the discretion of the Warden or 12 miners, if necessary, or any less number might do. There is no question that this rule requires amending, and as the County Council will meet soon it is to be hoped that something may be done to make it equitable to all parties. ; 'The late flood proved disastrous to the foot bridge over, the* New River at the junction of the Cpckabuljla' ' Greek*. Jt; also carried away 'some portion of the bank," which will ''necessitate £he removal of the hotel to the opposite side of the river. Our host, Mr Green, has, howiever, improvised another bridge, so that he has lost no time to accommodate the public. Now, once again must reference be made to the necessity of something being done to provide a permanent bridge, and this difficulty can be accomplished by the County Council alienating or setting aside the necessary quantity of land at the crossing as a bonus for the present proprietor to build a substantial and permanent bridge free to the public, ft wjLljL bo far better to get a bridge built pn th.ese terras, than to have to chronicle some dreadful accident at 'gome future time. ' "

Advance Marsden is the motto, and if only fair justice is meted out, it will do so. With inexhaustible gold deposits for miles around, however small the remuneration may be, and a main trunk road running through it, it will become a busy thriving township; and in time an extenBiye one. Even now a coach is here for jtlie purpose ofgonyeying the mails to the Greenstone', it was brought up a few days since per 'tram. 'and Mr Carruthers, the Chief Engineer, had the' honor of being the first passenger ; Mr O'Connor and Mr Brown being on horseback. Our old friend Peter purposes to keep his acquaintances amused during the forthcoming holidays by donning his red coat and by providing a liberal programme of sporta for Christmas and New Year.