THE GREY.

Colonist, Volume IX, Issue 927, 14 August 1866, Page 8

THE GREY.

A new bush to Saltwater Creek, or, Is Tew River, in the Grey district, took place a few days ago, and attracted a large number of persons. The prospects of these diggings appear to bo very favorable, judging from the following remarks copied from the Grey River Argus of August 2 : —

"It is most satisfactory to be able to announce that the rush at the New River continues to bear out the favorable opinions formed of it. Within the past two days, some four or five additional claims have been bottomed, the results in each case being highly gratifying to the owners. We hesitate to mention the very glaring statements, which have been made to us ; but of this we are assured, that there is no doubt whatever of the new diggings proving as rich as any that have been yet opened ou the West Coast."

Another Dew rush set in behind the Cemetery

"The rush is situated on a terrnce about three'hundred yards below the Cemetery, and about a quarter of a mile back from the beach. Several tracks branch from the old lead on the beach, so that no difficulty whatever exists in the way of finding the place. The prospector's claim is situated at the north tnd of the rush, and the ground has been marked off for about a mile south of them. The prospectors, Knox and party, after bottoming a hole, obtained such prospects as induced them to commence taking down a paddock about 25 ft, by 12 ft., which they expect to bottom at about 12 or 14 feet depth. They declined to state what their actual prospects were, but from information which we can rely upoi\, they had about l-§ dwts. to the bucket (or a -| dvvt. to the dish). The sinking is, of course, pretty much the same as on the old lead. The ground is covered with bush, but after this, and the mass of roots have beeu ret: oved, the work is easy and straightforward. It is highly probable the rush will become an important one. Its close proximity to the town, and the ease with.Hvlnch.it can be reached, offer many inducements to miners, who, under such circumstances; can be content with moderate wages.

The Grey River Argus of "July 31st, informs us that a young man named Barbadoes. who was for some time hawking in the neighbourhood pf Okaiita, and who had latterly been digging with a party at ■work in, a creek south of; the Waiho, disappeared mysteriously a few days; ago, while on hia vway to Okarita. He preceeded hia mates a short distun^e us they were polking iufo towii from the Five-Mile, and ho hue not aince beeu »ecu or heura 9f bj ttiew, Sty

cap was found among the rocks at (lie foot of the bluff, but no trace of the man could be obtained, and although information was given to the police, and every enquiry made, nothing is yet ascertained to his fato.

We (Grey River Argus) observe in a late Gazette the appointment of Mr W. N. Franklyn, as postmaster at the Twelve-mile Landing. Wo are. glad to se,e,the Postmaster-G.eneral has not quite overlooked this important adjunct to a mercantile community; aud we hope the day is not far distant when another branch of the postal service will be carried as far as Ihe Ahaura township.

THE UP-RIVER DIGGINGS AT THE GREY. The correspondent of the Grey River Argus writing from the Twelve-mile Landing, on 29th July, speaks of the up-districts as still enjoying " uudiminished prosperity." He says:— In spite of heavy floods and the repairs consequent upon them, the yield of gold during the past fortnight lias been fully equal to that of any previous period, being as near as I can roughly calculate about 8,000 ounces for the entire district. There certainly have been times when, to say that twice this amount had passed down the river within the fourteen days would have been nothing but the truth ; but now, in this dreary winter season, when the heavy rains so often retard the miners' labors, and the late large drain of diggers for the Inangahua (at the lowest computation 3000 men), I consider the average yield of the metal to be something extraordinary, and greater than any gold-field in New Zealand.

The Little Grey district is again looting up. There have been lately several new rushes to this quarter, all of which give great promise—the principul are " BnrtonV and the " Blackwater."

Adam's Town or Burton's rush was opened about two months ago, and is situated on a creek running into the Little Grey, some eight miles above the Junction. Sanguine expectations have hardly been verified, though there is already a population of quite 600, with a daily increase. The workings are both creek and terrace. I believe decent wages are made by three-fourths of the population. There are already fifteen stores erected, so that some one must be getting gold to keep this staff going.

The Blackwater, though not a new diggings, U claiming a great deal of attention; the fact of four stores springing up there within a week speaks volumes, foi 1, in the words of the old proverb, " where tho carcase is, there will the eagles bo gathered together."

The Inangahua I can speak of from persona observation. It already supports a population estimated at 8000, most of whom are paying their way, with something to boot; and when the long summer days come round I am sure no district on the coast will produce more gold for its population than this will. I once had a notion that the Buller would be the highway for provisions there. I have, however, been obliged to think differently, as, even now, the majority of the storekeepers get their goods from the Ahaura.

Noble's Gully remains about on a balance, a few leaving and a few returning. It is likely to be at this stationary point till the summer months.

Duffer Gully shows a decided improvement both in the number of miners, stores, aud yield of gold. Speculators seem to have great faith in this gully, judging from three or four publics lately erected there, the smallest costing over £200.

The Ahaura Township stills leads the van—three or four new buildings are in course of erection —it is becoming quite a settled spot—it already boasts a doctor, and v surveyor and mining advocate.

No Town is hardly changed from what it was six months ago. It i 3 the old identity of the Grey—one meets the same faces and the same storekeepers. Ask them how they are getting on, and the eternal reply is always "as usual." Here i 3 the ground where extended claims abound, some of them averaging wages that would not disgrace the salary of Governor Grey. It makes one's mouth water to see them with their little bags of gold dust. How hard it is under these circumstances not to break one of the commandments !

Sunnyside, four miles from the Twelve-mile, boasts an increase in population of about 150. There are some splendid claims hero ; the gold is heavy, with occasioual nuggets.