STILLWATER DIGGINGS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1752, 17 March 1874, Page 2

STILLWATER DIGGINGS.

[JPROM A CORRESPONDENT.]

The Stillwater is a place but little known to the public at large outside of the Arnold district, and yet from a mining point of view it deserves much more notice thn the doings of which are chronicled weekly. The Stillwater, as everybody may not know, commences at the junction of Maori Gullf and Waimea Creeks and enters the Grey about a mile above the coal pits. The terraces along its banks on both sides offers the greatest facilities foround-slucing, rising in successive steps of 60ft or 70ft above one another, but like most other places, it lacks one great want — water. To supply this desideratum, it is surprising the amount of labor and expense that has been incurred by parties acquainted with the auriferous' character of the ground. On the west side there are but six or seven head-races altogether, constructed or being constructed. Of these the priuciple are Duffy and party, Enright and M'Enroe and party. These are the only races commanding the higher terraces. Duffy, Ryan, Nolan and party (of six), have just finished their race, after two years work for eight men, the party having had two wages men on the greater part of the time. Thi3 is the old Enterprise Company of Maori Gully, known as Kelly and party, where they have groundsluiced tor six or seven years with highly satisfactory results, and could have continued so for many years to come. But being attracted by the superior character of the ground on the Stillwater began the present important work two years ago. This fact, of itself, speaks volumes for the future of the Stillwater. The present race heads from half a mile higher up the Waimea than the old one, and reflects the highest credit on the pluck and perseverance of the party in carrying it through under great natural difficulties. The race, as finished, is five and a half miles in length, with a ditch 2ft wide by 2ft deep, and a fall of Bft in a mile, capable of carrying three or four Government heads of water, all constructed in a thoroughly substantial and workmanlike manner — the best guarantee of the faith in the party in the payable nature of the undertaking. They have used 10,000 ft of timber in its construction, and taken all possible precautions against landslips three miles of its course being through very braken ground. The race at its termination is 300 ft above the bed of the creek, and for the last two miles of its course commands the highest points of the range. With a large dam just completed the party are now set into work, to reap that reward in shining metal which they so richly deserve. The race of Enright and party is on the same side, and nearly the same height as Duffy and party's. This party of three have been working on these terraces for the last five or six years alone on the higher levels, and have demonstrated their value, making such good use of their time that one of their party, A. Radwick, has been able to set up in Melbourne some eighteen months ago. His share was sold lately for LIBO, Mr Denis Duffy being the purchaser, the price obtained being much u nder its real value. It is really astonish.

ing the amount of ground this party have turned over during the time they have been at it. They have a good supply of water, having gone to great expense on reservoirs, which are capable of holding a month's supply. I have it on the best authority that few parties on the Coast have done or are now doing better than this party. M'Enroe and party have not quite finished their race yet. .It takes its rise from the bed of Maori Creek, about a mile above the township, and is carried round the spur dividing that creek from Waimea, crosses the latter creek and mounts the terrace some sixty or seventy feet lower than the other two mentioned above. It will nevertheless be a valuable race. The party has Bhown great perseverance under considerable difficulties, being now over two years at it. I will notice the other workings in my next, and attempt to show what is the fact, that the Stillwater as a mining centre is second! to none on the. Coast, and how it has been sadly neglected in the matter of tracks. /._.,!