BULLER RIVER.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 497, 29 April 1869, Page 2

BULLER RIVER.

(fboh otte own cobbespondestt.) Three considerable water-races have been brought in on the Buller, both above and below the Lyell, since my last communication—one belonging to Beattie and party, two of whom washed twelve ounces of gold out of the claim during the two days followiug that on which the water was brought in. Messrs Fraser and party also have obtained from the "Warden, rights for a large water-race on the Matukatuk. There, as on the Buller, there is much ground that would pay well if water in sufficient quantity for extensive ground-sluicing was available. There are other enterprising parties proposing to bring in a powerful stream on to some terraces on the Lyell, which I believe will be the most lucrative speculation of any in that way as yet started, if speculation it can be called, as investment would be a more proper term. Pringle and party have also deter-

mined on bringing on more water to their ground, and two additional mates have purchased into their claim, as much fluming and consequently a good deal of sawing will be required, and they are fully determined to have the gold out of the ground, only Mr Pringle is too impatient; the fineness of the gold disgusts him after his Australian and Otago experience. When he rolls away a large boulder, not to be stirred by any other man, he expects to pick up the gold with his fingers, yet it is notorious that the fine gold on the Buller weighs heaviest and pays best. The two new rushes on and near the Inanguhua have been much reduced iu their dimensions, not more than about three or four claims being now working near the river Dee, and I think about five times that number on Pox's rush, about fifteen miles above the Inanguhua junction, on a tributary creek. This ground is well spoken of, and is very likely to last a good while. As usual you will find many on the rush giving the most contrary statements regarding it, all speaking according to their own individual experience, more than from a regard to known facts.

I regret to inform you, as you will yourself be aware, that the Hawk's Crag tenders have been all stated as too high and have consequently to be referred to Nelson. I know that many of the tenderers are well-known practical miners, who have been accustomed for years to blasting in the mines in England, who are willing to work for fair wages, and whose proposals have been framed strictly in accordance with that view; yet now, after weeks of waiting and travelling at considerable expense to see the ground, they find themselves completely thrown over. They of course very naturally say that the Nelson Government do not want to get the work done at all, and that asking for tenders was merely a blind to keep people quiet and stay the agitation for Separation. If such is the case they very strangely over-reached themselves, as the whole proceeding has given a stimulus to the Separation movement, which is already in the Buller district progressing very favorably. One proof of it is the fact of there being hardly a miner who has not signed the petition, and another proof of the popularity of the question is the fact of a Mr Gourlcy having put on a boat at the Crag and calling it "Separation." Probably he is in the secrets of the Nelson Govrnment and knows that it is a safe speculation, as from all appearances the Nelson officials have picked up from the circumlocution ofljce " the way not to do it."