MARSDEN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1568, 14 August 1873, Page 2

MARSDEN.

[jFROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] August 13. Mining is gradually wearing a more healthy aspect week by week. Old residents who had played the trnant are daily returning. Even the far famed Roper, with all its allurements at a distance, has added its quota of absentees, and the news that comes to hand from there is anything but confirmatory of whatappears in the papers. These, and even all those that are returned, admit that in the New River District a man can get a little 'gold without a heavy outlay or unnecessary delay, and that the same cannot be said of any other part. The fact is gold is so widely distributed that it would be difficult to find a piece of ground where it does not exist in small or large quantities, so that there really is no . wonder that the population has increased of late, and there is every probability of it doing so as soon as the roads are completed, which are now in course of construction. Maori Creek has greatly benefitted of lateandmay be looked on as the most flourishing goldfields township on the coast. It is the very centre of the workings near it, and has roads leading from it in different directions, so that it cannot be otherwise than prosperous. A good deal of chagrin has been manifested at the Council permitting or giving their sanction to the sale of so large an area of ground in the Lake Brunner district.- If the money was wanted by the Council it will be dearly provided for by selling land in such large quantities and at a lower rate. It cannot be argued that selling in. large quantities promotes settlement. Rumors have been circulated at various times that reefs exist in the Brunner district on the Canterbury side of the lake. To dispose of ground around Lake Brunner in quantifies larger than what is really required jfor bona fide settlement must ultimately prove detrimental to the welfare of the country. If the ground round the lake has not had a thorough prospecting, it can easily be accounted for, as there h^ve been no means by which men could get provisions conveyed there. Much annoyance is felt by the miners that ihe Council have sanctioned the sale of this land, and it would be well yet to pause ere so large a piece should pass from the Crown.. ' . - : -■' The Rev Mr M'lntosh held divine service here as usual on the first Sunday in the month, and will continue to. do so for the future. It is reported that a con- i versazione and ball will take place ,here I in the early part of October, for the benefit of the Hospital, when it is to; be hoped that all will do their best to make it a success;