THE UPPER GREY DIGGINGS.

West Coast Times, Issue 594, 20 August 1867, Page 3

THE UPPER GREY DIGGINGS.

from the geey abgtts cobeespondexl. Ahauka, August 15.

As I intimated to you a few days ago, I lost no time in proceeding to Moonlight Creek, for the purpose of satisfying myself by actual observation as to the value of the new quartz reef discovered. From the flattering account given by the applicant for protection at the Twelve-Mile, I expected to see a reef with the precious metal in such quanties as to make it a caution to Victoria or California. I was doomed to a disagreeable disappointment, as, upon actual inspection the wondrcus reef turned out to be a small leader of quartz running down the side of the ransje, and, as far as I could see, with not the slightest indication of being gold-bearing stone. The first reef discovered is being steadily worked by the prospectors, and I hope to be able in a few days to report that their efforts to develop the reef have been crowned with success. The creek digging are in the same prosperous state, although the heavy floods of late have done damdamage in some claims. Glowing accounts are rife in the Ahaura concerning the late rush to Slate Creek or Big River. Without desiring to give too much praise without seeing it. myself, I believe it to be a really good rush, as men upon whom I can rely have already obtained good prospects there. About 100 men are now on the ground, and more appear wending their way thither. I shall visit it next week, and will acquaint you with the particulars. Whilst speaking of these creeks, I desire to give publicity to a state of affairs as regards the administration of justice which is a standing shame to the Government. Let any one take up a map of the Grey River District, and he will find the Ahaura Township almost the exact centre of the gold workings. It is as if formed for the very purpose of being a meeting place and connecting link between the various diggings. With the usual red tape method of "How not to do it," this central and admirably-adapted locality was passed over in the selection of a site for Resident Warden's Court, and one placed at the Twelve Mile, necessitating a tramp of ten miles further than they had need to go, on the part of every miner up the river who has business with the Court. Mr Warden Lightband, with his usual readiness to study public convenience, has for some time back held a Court weekly at the Ahaura Township, thereby conferring a great boon on the mining popu-

lation, to whom, in many cases, time is all important,, ; To - the great regret of every one in the district, this weekly visit has not been paid of late, and although I do not give it as absolute fact, the rumors are pretty strong in the township that the Government, with a parsimony certainly not usual to them, refused to allow the Warden the small sum required for travelling expenses. I sincerely trust that this remonstrance may meet the eye of some of the powers that be, who cannot but be impressed with the disgrace of allowing an important district like the Grey River, with an aggregate population of at least 1200 souls, to have to transact all business concerning the judicial management of the district at such great distances from the common centre. To show how such neglect works evil, a case occurred up Moonlight Creek last las* week, which illustrates my view of the question. A man being detected in the act of robbing a woman of a cashbox from an hotel kept by her, sooner than put the female to the trouble, expense, and annoyance she would have to sustain under the present system of trying all such cases fifty to sixty miles away, the miners called a jury from among themselves, elected a judge, not inappropriately called Lynch, and after a fair trial found the man guilty, and after a little personal chastisement made him clear out of the creek. Now, it must be patent to every thinking person that a community compelled to take the law into its own hands, although perhaps right, at times are too liable to be led away by public feeling and predjudice, and that such a thing should be necessary is certainly a disgrace to any spot of ground under the British Crown. 1 believe a public memorial to the Superintendent on the subject is in course of signature, praying him to appoint Mr Lightband, or some other suitable person, as a Magistrate for the district, and I earnestly hope that this reasonable request wiil be speedily granted, aud the thing become aufait accompli.

The "Post Office authorities have already recognised the importance of the situation of the Ahaura township, by extending the mail service to it, and establishing a Post Office there, Let us hope such a good commencement will precede other useful reforms. By-the-by, can your worthy Postmaster explain how it is that 3d postage is required from this township to all placea in New Zealand, net excepting the Nelson Province. If Ido not mistake, this overcharge of Id is against the laws in such case made and provided.

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