NELSON CREEK.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1667, 8 December 1873, Page 4

NELSON CREEK.

The probable early commencement of the Hochstetter Water-race is, of course, the chief topic of interest in the district, but the fact that the plans and specifications have not yet arrived from Wellington has thrown a kind of damper on the enthusiasts .who are so long and so anxiously waiting for the turn in the tide of their fortunes, which is to lake place with the first rush of water from the Lake. The smaller, but still important •works of a similar nature, theHocbsretter race, now going on are making good progress. Larkiu and party have nearly two miles of their head-race all but completed. A start was made at the leasehold on Try-Again Terrace, and the ditch, which is a remarkably fine one, is now carried as far as German Gully, which is

nearly one half the entire length to the source at Callaghan Creek. There will be very little fluming to be done, but it is intended to tunnel through several spurs to save distance. One of these tunnels, 100 ft in length, has already been take through tho pr.int of the range, near Brian Boru Creek. It is expected that by taking up the numerous side streams, the water in which is now wasted, to be intersected alougthe course of the race, more than 20 heads of water will be obtained in moderately wet weather, in- ! eluding the quantity the party are entitled [to raise from Callaghan Creek* Th.».re was a confused notion for years existing in the minds of most people about TryAgain that the making of this race would be a profitable investment, but the idea did not take a practical shape, owing to the existence of another confused notion that the work was impracticable. The making of this portion of the Grey Valley road, between Nelson Creek and Ahaura, m addition to the other great advantages arising from its construction, dispelled I this idea by showing the nature of the country that would have to be traversed by the makers of a water ditch. It is now seen that the race can be easily and comparatively inexpensively made, and the speculation is likely to be one of the best i ever undertaken in the Grey Valley. The Kennedy Race Company — Hicks and On. — have their water brought to Dry Grully, Try-Again, after the expenditure of a vast amount of labor and time. It is satisfactory to be able to say that the members of this enterprising company are at length in a fair way to be remunerated for all their toil and trouble. A lease of three acres is about being applied for on the Dry Gully end of the Try-Again, and it is expected similar applications will be of fgreater frequency now there is some probability of getting water to wash with, even if the time be still distant. Several subjects in connection wilh this district were brought under the notice of the Superintendent during his recent visit. The necessity of granting a site for a new cemetery was urged, for the present one is exposed to desecration at any time. It was partially undermined during tlie rush to the back lead at Try-Again in 1868, and it is liable to be totally obliterated with tailings should extensive sluicing take place in the ranges. The couditiou of the wire suspension bridge across the river at Hatter's Terrace was also mentioned. It was urged that some inducement should be given the builders, Magee and Co., to keep it in repair and fit for traffic. The creek is altogether impassable here now when there is a freshet coming down. It is proposed to survey a township, and sell it, ! upon Hatter's Terrace. There is a fine situation here for a township,- with great facilities for drainage. The terrace, a large extent 'of which could easily be made perfectly level, is intersected in all directions with tail-races, and the surface is now composed almost wholly of waterwcrn well-washed boulders. By filling those races in properly a smooth firm surface could with very little trouble be ebtained. The bridle track from Hatter's Terrace to Owen's Look-out which was going to be done in such a hurry not long ago, is not yet commenced, as every other good thing will, when the election for the Superintendency is over. After all the uproar which was made about it at first, the discovery at Owen's Lookout, has not ended in anything beyond a certain proof, if it were needed, that there is good ground even to the very summit of the ranges for the operation of water to i make it pay. The prospectors' have a very [good claim, so good, it is said, that it is really wonderful there is not more ground of the name quality in the surrounding claims. Two lady visitiors from Hatter's Terrace recently paid a visit to this aerie, at Owen's Look-out. Taking the nature of it into account, and the amount of climbing, scaling, and holding on by the eyebrows, which had to be done, the feat was, for females, something remarkable.

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