HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS. By F. R. Seaborn.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 5442, 11 March 1886, Page 4

HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS. By F. R. Seaborn.

The road from Maori Gully to the Creek is uneven and difficult, yet fine glimpses from the terraces are to be obtained of the | surrounding country. Crossing stony Waimea, the Big Hill track must be ascended, but the zigzag enables one to reach the top comfortably. The descent is made to Reedy Creek, Deadman's Gully, Italian Flat, Lancaster Flat, and Mullocky Gully. These have been worked with success, and now in some instances are remunerative. Deadman's is so called from the fact that years ago an unfortunate man was killed by falling debris. His bones, however, were brought to light eight years since by a Chinaman, who withja stroke of his pick revealed the skull. Horror stricken at the sight, the yellow skin flung down his tools and fled. It is said he ran for miles without looking over his shoulder. To this day superstition forbids their return to the ghastly spot. It has been .gravely suggested that a few museum skulls, judiciously planted, would do much to allay the attacks of yellow fever to which the colony is periodically subjected. The town of Dunganvllle is reached from this direction by a rather steep ascent. Gaining the terrace, there is not much for the stranger to see or admire, unless it be the number of stalwart men who throng the verandahs at eventide. Dunganville to my mind is not a sweet or euphonious name. Clifton was the earlier title for this famous field ; yet some time ago a show of hands was taken in Court for an alteration in the nomenclature, and thus the estimable gentleman whose name it bears- has become immortalised. " 'Tis not in mortals to command success; But— we"ll deserve it." Mr Cooper, the early surveyor, was a Bristol man and had much to do with this part, and I am told with the township at the Eight Mile, which was very populous 15 years ago ; no roads at that time. The precipice to be climbed from the sea-board was fearfully steep, so that all goods had to be, hauled up by block and tackle. Alcocks billiard tables, to be seen here, were served this way, piecemeal, but now rest on solid foundations. The ancient lead ran through the hill which is in front of Maori Creek, yields from claims averaging from five to eight hundred ounces of gold. Under such circumstances it is no wonder that the name of Clifton should be preferred to Dunganville, but after all a "rose by any other name," &c. To the uninitiated a gk.nce at the people of the town would suggest the idea of somnambulism, but on further acquaintance admiration for the quiet energy and activity shown would certainly assert itself. Notably in this riding, which for resource and richness of metal darries the palm, there is an elan or dash, which augurs well for the future. It is to be regretted that the pioneer men who 'have really opened up this country — Victorians principally (and but for whom the land would have been a terra incognita) — are obliged to reiterate their demands for subsidies. Only a year ago high officials came, were banquetted, the usual promises made, hats fiung in the air, cheers given, the dust from the carriage wheels revealed departing greatness. Yet, have their promises been fulfilled 1 The people say, No ! How easily the hoi 'polloi may be guided. "As an honest tale spreads best being plainly told," I will say from observation that anathemas, not loud but deep, are heard on every side with reference to the fact that while the revenue is increased by the miners' toil, yet little or r.o return is made in the shape of assistance in pro- , specting, cutting of tracks, &j. It is known that the pold is fairly distributed, there being two distinct tributaries, the one being Liverpool lead or New River, and one by the old Eight-mile, a continuation of which runs across Cockabulla and Mosquito Creeks. Under such conditions no wonder the cry is for help in the way of assistance from the Government to further develop the resources. If it were not for the aid of patriotic storekeepers, little could be done in the way of prospecting. The non-assistance policy seems ti be as short sighted now as it was in 1872, when a sum of £20,000 was put upon the estimates for the purpose of constructing reservoirs, dams, races, &c, to benefit the field. Surveyors were sent, armed with tremendous instructions, money was largely spent .over the survey, yet the outcome was nil — no reservoirs, dam 0 , &c, and the large vote is in nubibus. A few notes from the document explain the "law's delay":— "By resolution, Council agreed to procure report upon the practicability of constructing reservoirs to command the auriferous terraces of Maori Gully, German Gully, and Eight-mile, the sources of supply of water to come from New River and Maori Creek. Estimated cost, £9.750. It is also intended to supply Clifton, Woods Creek, and Pattersons from a reservoir 9,441,200 cubic feet in size." Now this great "cry and so little wool has depressed the minei, because he knows what a vast boon this grand waterfiow would have been not only to himself but to the community at large. It is understood that the maintenance would have cost only about £600 per annum, while the revenue from heads of water would have been, say, £1800, or 12 per centum on capital after ■ deducting expenses of management. After ■ all it is to be hoped in the interests of this auriferous country that when these affairs I are taken at the flood they may lead on to fortune. There is more traffic on this byway from Greymouth than, on others I have attempted to describe. Big wains creep up loaded to the tarpaulin, driven soberly and cautiously by such men as Mr Jenkins, familiarly called "Jim." This driver is Aviry, energetic, and übiquitous. He is here, there, and everywhere, and welcomed wherever he goes. Smart equipages dash up frequently, and make the welkin ring. Horsemen from Greymouth arrive nearly every day, and Johnny Gilpin himself could not scatter the geese, or cause the youngster's mouths to open wider than the dashing "bloods" from the city. As colonial towns are generally com- • mercially judged by their number of hotels, Dunganville takes a fair average. Mr M'Kechnie's store and hotel are deservedly 'popular, the latter being the place (from far and near) where men most do congregate. Bluff, quick, kind, yet determined, the host has made many friends, being a host in himself. From genial, easy going BamhiU's hotel and store I catch a gliropse,of a track on the other side of the flat, which day after day fascinates- and horrifies me*

People pass and repsss over it and think not. Yet but a year ago down the hill and up that track went a man on murderous thoughts intent. The knife was in his hand, and, like a sleuth hound, he crept along and waited in the darkness for his victim. Rapidly, successfully, surely, poor Gifford was done to death. I saw the place, not from morbid desire, but for other purposes. With the screams of tho murdered ringing in his ears, O'Donohue ran through the darkness while none pursued, but Nemesis was at his heels, and he expiated upon the gallows his fearful crime. How bright and sunshiny the children look in these parts, as elsewhere, what pains their mothers take with them. There is much plaiting of hair and decoration ere the schooljbell rings. These things undoubtedly make young people vain, and pert, the latcer to strangers sometimes. Their voices are generally strident, taking a high key, and as the youngsters generally have the run of the house, while mother does the cooking and washing, it is difficult sometimes to get a peaceful hour ; yet then the mind must be cynical which could complain of little natural infirmities, especially when a certain amount" of isolation is considered. Maori Creek may fairly be congratulated upon its school. From its visitors' book there are indications of real progress in education, Several of the children are c 7 ever and excel in mapping. Mr O'Day, the master, not only takes great pains with his scholars but has made amongst the stony diggings an oasis, beautiful trees are growing, and the eucalyptus is being successi fully cultivated. Mrs O'Day, who is an accomplished floriculturist, has made her garden a pride and pattern to the neighborhood. Mr Garland is chairman of the i .°iool committee, and is, apart from his mining duties, most assiduous in the cause of education. Mr North has a neat bakery, managed by "George," who knows what he is } about. Facetiously, he told me of a man 'named "Sleepy Tom," who had halfstarved himself. The doctor, said he must get some animal food. Poor Tom got oats ' and chaff. The former he managed, but the chaff stuck in his throat. Mr North's hotel is popular, well managed, and the children most intelligent. Peter Walker, a sedate and well-to-do bootmaker, supplies soles for all and sundry. Adam Blair and M'Phie divide the honors of the road with their well-horsed coaches. Seeing nothing more of especial interest, and bidding adieu to kind-hearted Barnhill, M'Kechnie, North, and others, I made for Marsden and Camerons, where I hear of a new rush.