TINKERS GULLY.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 65, 29 April 1870, Page 3

TINKERS GULLY.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Tinkers Gully, April 17,1870. The steady rain that fell in this district without intermission for a period of 48 hours upon the 9fch and 10th inst. bestowed alike a benefit to all. ' The supply of water is abundant, and likely to continue for some time to come. Nothing new has taken place in mininomatters since my last; all the miners are very busy taking advantage of the abundant supply of water notf at command. , The fair of rain alluded to above was in every respect very opportune, and came at a time when the forebodings and apprehensions of parties directly interested were most gloomy. The fears entertained of frosty nio-hts setting in, so that the streams would

become more and more absorbed, have been entirely dispelled. -Mr, Michael Saminon, of Abyssinian Flat, left here a few days ago on a visit to Victoria. This unassuming and enterprising miner has constantly employed a number of hired men, and I am creditably informed that, after paying all working expenses and wages, he has cleared £l4 weekly, and has now rented his water for £5 per week for a period of six months during his absence, still retaining a share in the claim with Messrs. F. Kenny and Co., the lessees. This ground, to my own knowledge, has been tried times out of number to keep in memory, but, upon every occasion was pronounced to be of no value. No doubt this verdict at the time was a true one when we draw a compai-ison between the former and later system of working. ! _ - "Were it requisite I could point out the importance of water supply to the Goldfields, and at the same time illusstrate the increasing value of the pro-, perry invested in water races. Over .5 years ago Mr Sammon purchased the interest belonging to a party in two races for the sum of £llO, along with share in claim and tail race ; and I remember at the time the purchase was considered a dear bargain. Shortly afterwards the hose was introduced, when miners became alive to its value and importance, at the same time increasing the value of water rights to fabulous prices. \ I stated upon a former occasion that if such opportunities presented themselves in Victoria as are apparent in many portions in Otago, the capitalists and the. miners-would be found side by side co-operating with, each other for the mutual benefit of both, and the general welfare of the Colony. I intend to contribute some papers solely devoted to this subject. Whether these opportunities are to be allowed to rest in a dormant state for the want of capital, or whether it is attributable to the supineness of. a Provincial Government, lat present connot say; one thing is certain, when justified by truth, necessity in the end will, unaided, work out its own salvation.

Westward about three- miles from here are situated the quiet and peaceful diggings of Little is heard of it so far as its gold-producin« capabilities are concerned; the population is small, and perhaps proportionate to the facilities immediately at hand to ensure them profitable employment. It is much regretted throughout this district that the seam of coal belonging to Messrs. Peek and Skinner abruptly and suddenly terminated. It is somewhat singular that at the commencement they struck it at its broadest extremities, and, in working, it gradually nar owed in.the shape of the letter V ; perhaps, at some future time, more extensive seams may be found. At present the district will have to be supplied by Messrs. Pierce and Washer, Welshmans Gully. Firewood in the district is out of the question, and families must have fuel, no matter whether it comes from the bush of Australia, the forests of Oregon, or the deep coal mines of Britain.