GREY VALLEY GOLD FIELDS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1479, 1 May 1873, Page 2

GREY VALLEY GOLD FIELDS.

(ifROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) MINING. The want of water has still an immediately depressing effect, in making ready money scarce, and from appearances we are as far from rain as ever. That part of the mining population which may always be reckoned the mainstay of the gold fields, the constant wcrkers, who from the nature of their claims or from other circumstances, are compelled to wash up and procure a certain quantity of gold, be it little or much, every week, are now, and have been for months, living in forced idleness, and the benefits which would have come from their labor, had they been enabled to work, are lost for ever. The process of piling washdirt, where such an operation is practicable, is still going on, and vast quantities of material are ready for the sluice-box, when water is to be had, but this will not make up for the time lost by the majority of the miners. The only relief to the present gloomy condition of affairs is that the future prospects of the recent discoveries are looking brighter. The lead was struck in another claim at the Orwell Creek rush on Saturday. The prospects obtained were not as encouraging as those in. some of the older claims, but for the appearance of the wash, the quality of the gold, and other indications, there is no doubt of the continuance of the lead. The Little Grey alluvial districts are again attracting some attention. The prospecting and other claims on Anderson's . Reef, Big River, are all registered for protection for a lengthened term. The shareholders have set into the alluvial workings in the locality, and most of them speak with satisfaction of the profits of their new style of work. There is always some gold to be got, and besides that there is the probability of dropping on a patch. The two James Andersons, or "Jimmy," and " Ginx," as they are called for the purpose of distinguishing one from the other, obtained an extended area some few weeks ago at the Tapeline Terrace, Mossy Creek Mossy is a feeder of Snowy Creek, which is a tributary of the Little Grey river. A good run of auriferous drift was traced years ago along the head of Mossy Creek, and at a certain point it was suddenly lost. The theory was that the lead slewed into the terrace on the western side, and about three years ago, in consequence, of a small find, this terrace was rushed, and from the squabbling which took place about spare ground, and the frequent measurements and consequent barneys, the place was called " Tapeline," in honor of the instrument which is the usual arbiter in jumping dispute. The rush did not come to anything, chiefly because of the great quantity of water in the ground, and it was shortly abandoned. Messrs Drury and Wyndham since obtained a few pounds weight of gold, and caused a small rush lower down the creek, but Tapeline remained undisturbed until the Andersons began to give it a thorough prospecting. Several shafts were sunk to about 40ft and abandoned, as before stated, in consequence of the water. After ascertaining the most probable position of the deep ground, the Anderson party set to work to bottom one of these shafts, whioh they accomplished on Saturday last, at a depth of about 80ft. The prospects obtained were uuuoiaoica L ,\A^- aju jbut a tunnel of about 400 ft in length will have to be taken in to drain the ground. The fact of finding a run of deep ground containing gold so far inwards from the creek-bed is of itself a good indication, and the theory of creek leads turning abruptly aside, and being covered by terrace formations afterwards, has been proved to demonstration at several places, and the most notable instances recently are the Duffer Creek Lead, and the present new find at the Black Ball Creek. Mossy Creek is only a few miles from the Little Grey Junction, and can be reached by an easy track in a couple of hours. To prevent misapprehension or confusion among the Andersons — who are as niamerous about the Little Grey as the $miths are at Birmingham — it may be mentioned that one of the prospectors of Tapeline is the discoverer of Anderson's Reef, at Murray Creek and the Big River, and the other is the discoverer, along with James O'Malley, of the present route over the Saddle, from the Little Grey to the Inangahua. A party of miners have just returned from a prospecting tour extending over a period of some months among the beaches and tributaries of the Upper Grey, Brown Grey, Robinson and Alexander Rivers. They describe the country they visited as abounding with poor auriferous deposits, but they did not succeed in striking anything of sufficient value to induce them to set in permanently. The beaches of the Upper Grey all contain more or less gold, and will yet be worked when that particular description of mining is more closely attended to, and when supplies can be obtained with greater facility and less expense. If these river beach workings once get a fair start, they will give •mployment to a. large population, because the area to be operated upon ia practically unlimited, and already good patches have been worked up and down the river, especially in the neighborhood of the Little Grey Junction.. Another prospecting party have been overhauling the country between Moonlight Oreekfand the Rough' River, near the Little Grey Junction. They describe the gold drifts as poor but extensive, and covered to a great depth with barren wash, which will not pay to remove at present. This particular locality was tried before witb "a similar result, but as it is in the direct pourse of the line of railway projected by the Inland Com-/ munication Committee at Nelson, from Motueka to the Moon, it will, no doubt, be worked some day. Good accounts are coming from the Teviot, where a rich washing or two is reported to have taken place. Borjerson's party, at Brandy Jack's, have driven into the deep ground at a distance of about 400 ft from the wheel and tank shaft. It has not transpired if any payable wash has yet been found ; but, from the energetic manner the work is going on, the company appear to be satisfied with their prospects Ollivier and company, at Half-Ounce, expect to make a formal beginning at actual gold washing next week. At all events, that important ceremony, the christening of the machinery is talked about as likely to come off soon. The lost Half-Ounce lead, or the scattered remnants of it have been picked up below Granville, in the leasehold of ,o'Hara and party. The nature of this discovery, with a brief description of the company's work.

ings, will form the subject of a future report. NELSON CREEK. The rumor which is flying about that by some arrangement made between the General and Provincial Governments the Lake Hochstetter water-race is to be commenced at once, is almost too good to be true. Not that the work could not be gone on with without any delay as far as the existence of any real obstacle is concerned, but it would be so utterly at varience with the traditional policy of "consideration" of the Nelson Government to do anything promptly or energetically, that the report requires the very strongest confirmation before, people here will believe it. That any action should be taken so soon after the completion of the survey would seem to indicate that there is a screw loose some- ; where, for if the machinery of the Nelson Government had not come into collision or received a check from a superior force in some direction, this sudden waking up could not take place. If the Provincial Government would only stand a3ide and reserve its obstructiveness for an occasion when it would perhaps be better appreciated nearer home, this race would have been made long ago. The Superintendent, in reply to the deputation which waited upon him on this subject among others during his recent visit to the Grey Valley, opened his eyes with an appearance •of innocent astonishment I when he was informed that the race was not yet commenced, and, with a smile " so child-like and bland," expressed aurprise by saying that "ho could not account for the delay."' We all— that is, the members of the deputation — knew perfectly well that his Honor was " having" us, but not one had the pluck to tell him so. We knew that the delay in the first place was caused by the masterly inaction of Mr Curtis in refusing to give, or at all events, in neglecting to offer, the services of the Provincial Survey staff in laying off the levels for the race. The General Government waited for months for the assistance of Mr Dobson and his staff, because it was preferable to have the benefit of the local ; knowledge and experience of the Provincial Surveyors to putting total strangers on to do the work. After waiting in vain for this local assistance the General Government proceeded with the survey with a staff of its own selection, and it is now' completed without the slightest help from the Provincial authorities, excepting, of course, the professional assistance, gentlemen accord each other, and which no doubt Mr Lord received non-officially from Mr Dobson and his <sta£f if he required it. Besides the risk of being considered impertinent, it would be labor in vain on the part of the deputation telling his Honor any of these facts to his face, for he would at once call into exercise that fertile statistical imagination of his, and by 'raining a shower of blue-book quotations and figures upon the heads of the unfortunate deputation ; he would prove beyond a doubt, had he so chosen, that he never until that moment sven heard of the Hochstetter Water-race. Knowing these things, it is not to be wondered at that we here disregard these rumors and promises, and not until tenders are issued for the construction of the work will it be believed that it is actually about being commenced. -•- . ■■■'--im.T0ww....... The bitter experience of the past few months has at length aroused the residents of this district to a knowledge of the fact that some united efforts will have; to be made to procure a permanent: water supply and thereby save the place from going to destruction. The district depends entirely on the command of constant water.power for mining purposes, that a dry season has. a more injurious effect here than at any other place. The Nelson Creek and Hochstetter Race would not be in its present forward stage of advancement, unsatisfactory as it is, had private individuals not taken the initiative by having an approximate survey made to demonstrate the practicability of the work. The residents of No Town are about adopting a similar course in their district, and not before it is time. A preliminary meetingwas held at Haisty's Hotel, on the 24th instant, for the purpose of forming a provisional committee, who are to " enquire of Mr Dobson, the Provincial Engineer, if the district would have to bear the cost of the preliminary survey of a race to i command the auriferous terraces of No Town and Red Jack's iCreeks, and also to obtain such information as may be available as to the feasibility of the scheme." Mr Donovan was in the chair; and ■ spoke at considerable length of the benefits likely to accrue to the district if a sufficient supply of water, could be brought to operate on the terraces. His opinion was that fthe district would have to j pay the preliminary expenses of survey and exploration to find a permanent source of supply. Messrs Grey, M'Beath, Ferris, and others spoke in favor of the adventure, and pointed out the necessity of immediate action. [A committee was chosen to carry out the objects ofjfche meeting, arid when they have concluded their enquiries a general public meeting will be called when a memorial to the General Government or the subject will be submitted for approval. Thia is so far satisfactory, but the less the people of No Town have to do with memorials the better thay will get on, that is if they want a water-race made andexpecfTto get it done during the lifetime of the present generation. With respect to the probability of obtaining a permanent and abundant supply of water for this district, the following extract from a report on the water supply to the No Town district, which appeared 'in the Argus, of January 23, this .year will accurately describe the situation ': — '■ It is a popular illusion that the water from the Lake Brunuer could be brought to bear upon the highest workings of the No Town district, but that idea is not yet borne out by the opinion formed from the actual experience of any competent professional man. The greater part of the auriferous grounxLJies at a considerable elevation, and is of the same character a3 that described at Nelson Creek. Water is very scarce, and a demand for at least 100 sluiceheads would be found along No Town Creek itself, provided it was at a sufficient elevation. What is required is the introduction of a large body of water at Paddy's Gully, from whioh point smaller races could be run to Red Jacks, Deadman, and No Town Creeks. Whether it is possible to obtain a sufficient supply of water, to pay for the cost of the necessary works for bringing it in, can only be ] determined by actual survey. The greater i portion of the auriferous ground lies very i high, far above Lake Branner or any* < neighboring lake or mtream of any size, :

but there is a probability of obtaining suitable sites for reservoirs between Paddy's Gully and Bell Hill, at a sufficient altitude to command the whole district." The above is merely a reiteration of the opinions previously expressed by the District Engineer in his reports to the Provincial -Council -ojvHbhe- Water Supply to the South- West Gold, Fields, so that the statements have the merit of official authority to recommend them. This being the case, it will be- ae'en^ that a system of reservoirs to store water will have to be depended upon in the introduction of a permanent supply to No Town. The plan the committee should follow, with the greatest probability of ultimate success, would be to call for tenders for a survey) to ascer- : tain the spot in the main creek at which, if taken as a starting-point, water could be raised t® command, the. workings at Stewart's Hill on the one side and the highest part of Cockney Terrace on the other. These localities are mentioned because the situation and altitude of them are best generally known. : When the starting point is; fixed, the effort* of the committee should be directed to the exploration of the country between that point and Bell Hill to find a site or sites for reservoirs. A small reward might and no doubt would lead to the discovery of numerous suitable spots. The cost of the preliminary survey of the Nelson Oreek and Lake Hochstetter water-race came to L 75, LSO of which were raised by private subscriptions, and the ; balance, besides the services of 'the. District Surveyor, were given by the; Nelson government. The expense in the case of the No Town explorations should not exceed L4O, and there should be very little , difficulty in raising that amount. When the survey is completed, and a proper repbrt drawn • up, the Provisional Committee will have a better claim made out for assistance from the Government, or to' present as ati inducement to private capitalists to invest in the undertaking. The latter contingency is not altogether speculative, for it may be relied upon that if the Nelson Creek race was once started, and the water raised to a sufficient elevation on the ranges, which may be done within three miles of the source, the returns from the, .operation of the water will be such that' private capitalists will be only too eager 'to , invv '<& money in constructing similar wod^t \ \ the other .mining districts. As a of the quality of the ground which^HPlk be brought within reach of an elevated water-race at No Town, the award of the arbitrators in a recent encroachment dispute at Cockney Terrace may be mentioned. It was decided that fourteen loads of washdirt hsd been taken away by the parties who encroached, and the arbitrators, after a thorough prospecting, decided that the washdirt for 6ft in height would yield 7dwt to the load, and there was gold still left in the headings. The amount of the award was based on this calculation, and it is shrewdly suspected that the. parties who committed the encroachment had the best of the arbitrators. , THE REVISION OF THE BYE-LAWS. The Mining Conference, at Reefton, has by this laid the result of its deliberations before the Wardens for revision. The Conference would most probably confine its attention to an examination -4in<L Amendment -of_theJbye-laws regulating quartz-mining, but the Wardens will likely take a more extended view of the subject. The alteration of clause 8, section 10, so as to make it more workable, is urgently required. Mr Wilkie, in a speech to the electors of No Town during his recent candidature, referred to this clause, and suggested that a plebeoite should be take*n throughout the gold fields to determine whether it should be retained or struck out of the Regulations. This would entail an amount of inconvenience altogether uunecessary, and, in fact, the adoption of such a plan would be "breaking a fly on the wheel." The remedy could not be generally applied, because the working of the clause affects each district separately and in a different manner! If the Rule defining what is described as "wet sinking or tunneling " were applied, and the plan adopted in arriving at that definition were followed in each district in which a dispute between terrace-sluicers and creek- workers should arise through the operation of the clause, a satisfactory conclusion could always be arrived a't )w A case of great hardship through this\rub came before the Warden's Court, at Ahaura, at the last sitting. — A party who produced an unbroken chain of waterright certificates for nearly seven years, sued another party for interfering with their registered rights in such a manner that they became almost valueless. The defendants insisted upon their right under clause .8, section 10, to compel a head-, water to be left in the bed of the oreek. The plaintiffs, although nominally they gained the suit in reality, they lost their registered rights, because all the Warden could do was to make an order giving each party an equitable share of the water, thus placing new comers of yesterday on an equal footing with men who were in legal occupation for seven years, and who stated on oath that they had expended nearly L2OOO in constructing their works. Nobody can deny that a condition of affairs such as this requires some alterationfor the better. The confusion arising from the re-marking of claims, rendered necessary by the lay* ing off the Government bfase line on new leads, is giving great oaose for oomment. The miners themselves are in a great measure to blame for this, for it is impossible that the Government surveyor can lay off his line until the course, or supposed course, of the lead is proved in the prospector's claim., This will necessarily cause some delay. always, and in the meantime the clairaholdersrun off an imaginary base of their own, a proceeding Which must eventuate in disputes about encroachments, and in the crushing out of some of the latest occupiers.