NO TOWN .

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10436, 8 February 1900, Page 4

NO TOWN .

(Our Correspondent.) Tbe dredging fever having cooled down, and as there is no probability of any benefit being derived from it in the near future, our prospecting association of which the indefatigable secretary Mr John H. McGregor is the moving spirit, are eager to send out willing hands to prospect in several places where it is generally believed there is a fair show of success. They have already sent out a party of two men to a promising locality in the vicinity of Point Lookout, which is situated at the eastern side of the head o the No Town creek. Between this point and Deep Creek there lies a large tract of country containing some fine looking terraces and carrying very heavy wash, and the whole of it may be said to be virgin soil. The nearest gully to it of any dimension which has been worked in the early days is known as Bells, and for its length and breadth it had no equal in richness of any in the district. Asa proof of this assertion I may state that a patch of less than one man's ground uear the top of the gully was over-looked for years as it was considered a duffer, yet on being worked 'subsequently it yield D d the handsome sum of LI 200 worth of gold. Where this gold came from is a problem that has never been solved as no one so far has been able

to trace it. That it may be found in ■the adjacent terraces is the object of the party referred to in going out there, and with patience and perseverance the chances are that they may be successful. As mining matters stands at present, and have been during the past year, some new development is very much wanted, and should the Association be instrumental in opening up any fresh ground that will lead to better times, they will have earned the gratitude of all the people who are dependent upon the mining industry for their livelihood. Mr Patrick Gillin who in the past has been a heavy looser by fires both at No Town and the Twelve Mile, had a severe loss in. the burning of his large barn a week ago. There was no sign of fire when the family retired fer the night and by the time they turned out again on the alarm being given by some one in Mullin's hotel, it had too ! great a hold to be got under. There was a stiff breeze blowing at the time which blew the flames away from the other buildings, else bho whole block would have been burnt to the ground. There was no insurance upon it, and Mr Gillin estimate his loss at between L2OO and L3OO. The war in South Afrioa takes pre cedence of all topics of the day, and tidings are eagerly sought every mail day. It is highly gratifying to all lover 3of peace and good will to their fellow men, thab Great Britain is not responsible for this war and the great bloodshed that must ensue before the struggle is at an end. The press of the colony, and done more than the Grey River Argus has shown with unmistakeable clearness that the fault is entirely on the side of the Boers. VTuch as we deplore the loss of so many precious lives, the reverses so far on our side are only such as might be expected from the almost impregnable position of the enemy. We have a precedent of what an army in such a position can do in what is known, in history as a glorious return of the Italian bandois. They were expelled from the country on account of their religion, and after being some years in Switzerland it occurred to them to make an attempt to recover the homes from which they were banished. They could only raise 800 men which by the time they had reached their native valleys were reduced to nearly one half nevertheless having taken up a celebrated stronghold or natural fortress in their mountain fastness, they not pnly held out against the combined armieg of France and Savoy, for sfeven months but also repulsed without hardly the less of a man every attack made upon them till their persecution ceased by the Duke of Savoy declaring war against France. I mention this as it will serve to show the advantage the Boers have over the British by commanding all the high ground. We are justly proud of the loyalty and readiness of all the colonies to assist the Mother country in this her hour of need, and no less of the young New Zealanders who have gone to fight her battle which must be fought at whatever cost till President Kruger and his vassals are brought to their Knees, and the whole of South Africa is added to the glorious empire on which the sun never sets. One good effect of tho war is, that it has brought to light the friendly feeling lying dormant in the breasts of the English speaking nations. They are in the van of progress and civilisation, and if the evolutions of the fpasfc century be any criterion, they are destined at no very remote period to become the dominant power in the world. Since the Spanish American War, the Union Jack and the S^ars and Stripes have been frequently twisted together at public demonstrations both in the United States, and throughout the British dominions, and the unification of the race may be regarded as a veritable facb should any emergency arise demanding a united action. The signs of tbe times points to the necessity of so desirable a union, and the utterances of profound thinkers on both sides' of the Atlantic, leaves no room to doubt that the masses are looking forward tojtts consnmation with great eagerness, Of course it would be a death blow to the continental enemies of England, but it would be a boon to the whole world.