NEW RIVER RUSH.

West Coast Times, Issue 339, 24 October 1866, Page 3

NEW RIVER RUSH.

(FROM THE GREY RIVER ABOTB CORRESPONDENT.) October 15. ' Through the inclement state of the for the last few days, mining matters have in. a great measure been kept back, especially in the claims where surface work was concerned, as in those in full working order the men have the advantage of being under ground, and have awnings, or -what is termed a " fly" over their shafts. * Those claims mentioned in my last v are fully realising the expectations of their owners. Since my last letter, those parties who were engaged in {he race called No. 1 have been busily at work, some in sinking, others driving out their ground in good earnest; In • the claim known as " Daggan's," . that [ being the first south of M'Gregor's, they j are getting out a plentiful supply of wash-dirt, with most excellent prospects, from Jdwt. to l£dwt. to the dish, with from twelve to fifteen inches of .wash-dirt. This is declared by a good many to eclipse any of them. Next week, they intend washing up, when I shall, bfe better able to judge of its qualities, as prospects are not always to be depended upon. Next is "Antonie's," which is getting out* washdirt also, with prospects nothing behind- its neighbor. I am at a loss as to the name of the owners of the* next claim, but they have 'a good sized paddock of washdirt. On the same line is a claim

known as " Fred the German's," which

has shown a good prospect, but they are only reaching the washdirt, having had a great deal of water to contend with, in consequence of their not bringing the race to its proper destination. As I said in my la«t. I thought they would have/o give it another trial, which I believe they are about to do soon. Several other claims have got payable gold, bi\t the water will preclude them from working for some time. Further along, the elaimholders are all sanguine as to the future of their claims, \as every one is busy sinking or < getting timber for sinking. The \ party of Greeks which I mentioned last week has at last dropped on the metal, having done some hard work, with from 4 to 6grs to the shovel, at a depth cf forty-two feet — the deepest shaft as yet on the lead. The cause of this is the high terrace where their present shaft is, but they are going to sink further down, which will save them some twelve or fifteen feet.

This is, as yet, the last golden hole south, which brings the gold half-way to the New River. In the race which is known as No. 2 (which I unwittingly named it, although it was the first begun) the shareholders have taken the

precaution of driving in from the race on the level to find the lead, which,

when found, will save a good many of them from sinking. They have already driven fifty feet, with a good and substantial tunnel. By the end of this week I think they will be on the gold. Several around here have been sinking, and a good few shepherding, allowing their neighbors to do the work

As to the race I mentioned having . been laid out by Mr Bain, the District Surveyor, the owners, twenty-nine in all, are ready to make a start this morning. They have obtained an extension of ground from the Warden^ which I think is only just, as the ground has been abandoned, and is also exceedingly wet. I wish them every success, both as to plenty of gold and an early completion of their race. Along the line from this poin.t there aye some parties all in working order sinking, and will, I think, be able to bottom this week, weather permitting. The first party sinking here made a pump which they anticipate will take all the water out of their claim easily. Next comes Yankee Dan's party, who , . are putting down their second paddock, and expect to bottom by the middle of the week — their present sinking being quj|e different from their last. Next is the party known as the prospectors, who are down about twelve feet and have got a little gold, but as they get it better the "further down they go, I think I will be able to chronicle the good news of some more golden holes. ' Below this there is a party who have been for some time busily engaged in bringing in a race, which will do a good deal in prospecting their ground, as they are very near in line with the supposed lead. . To give a short and explicit opinion on the whole lead, I think that mining matters are in a most prosperous condition herer

In the adjacent gullies matters are going on steadily, they being in a great me.asure tucker and small wages diggings—always a good retreat for the less fortunate miners. Several parties are* out prospecting, one party having got a little gold by driving into a terrace up j,he New River. In my next perhaps I may be able to say that they have had the good fortune to strike something. It is in the direction of Cameron's or

" Candle-light."

Business here is going on steadily, although some of the Greymouth store '- keepers growl at not receiving full remittances. But the storekeepers here have had ,to do some " writing," as termed in digging parlance, but the diggers will now soon be able v to dear accounts with the storekeepers. The population continues much about the same, as they are always going and coming. A good many have left for the Pahiki, and I hope they will all be better rewarded than )'our humble servant was for the many trips he made there In conclusion, I must say this is a very quiet place, the police seldom having to interfere. Many of the tributaries of the New River have turned out well, and many of the disappointed are prospecting in all directions. Maori Creek seems to claim especial notice. About twelve months ago a patch of thirty ounces was struck. This is strictly speaking the right fork of the New River.

Commercial. — A traveller lately describing a tropical shower, wrote to a friend in the following words : — '.' The rain drops were exceedingly largo, varying in me fyojn p sbjl. jfog fp pigbtPW pen??"