THE AENOLD DISTRICT.

West Coast Times, Issue 595, 21 August 1867, Page 4

THE AENOLD DISTRICT.

(EBO3I GBETEIVEB ABGTTS CORRESPONDENT.) Maoei Gully, August 13.

From the lapse of time that has occurred since my last, one would imagine that the Arnold was dead — morally and physically* dead. Such, however, is not the case. I do not believe that within the last twelve months matters have been in a healthier state. But the late inclement weather has almost precluded any person from travelling the country. The late gales compelled many to abandon their claims, aDd seek shelter in more favored localities, These were succeeded by a heavy fall of snow, about six inches deep, which rendered travelling extremely dangerous, as between the fallen timber and the snow it required a good bushman to find his way.

A rush has set in at the head of Italian Gully, a little beyond Card Brothers' store— in fact, it runs neai'ly parallel with the old lead, but at the back of it and higher up the range. lam of opinion that this is likely to be more remunerative than the old lead, as hill-side workings, taken as a whole, are infinitely preferable to either the flats or terraces. I augur the more favorably for the future prosperity of this rush from the fact that Macpherson and party, the discoverers, have only got prospects of 3grs to the dish, but there is from four to five feet of washdirt, To show that the miners of that gully have some faith in it ninetenths have abandoned their former claims to give this ground a fair trial, as they appear all to be confident that a payable lead runs in that direction.

A considerable number of people are wending their way to the left branch of the New River; several who have left Italian Gully speak well of the place — they say there is any amount of ground will pay from L - to Lo per week, and provisions being so much cheaper, men get along better. I have not visited the place, but purpose doing so next week; when I will be enabled to give you further particulars. It is rumored that one party of men are making Ll2 per week, but this must be received with caution.

."Rumors of a rush to the N.E. of Lake Brunner arc current, but I have (notwithstanding my enquiries) heard nothing to confirm them. That parties are out digging in that direction we know, but beyond that we are* in total ignorance. Last Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we were visited by a terrific gale of wind, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and rain. This was succeeded by a heavy fail of snow on Thursday, to a depth of about nine inches ; beyond several large trees being blown down, which rendered travelling extremoly difficult, I have not heard of any accidents. The road contractor put in an appearance here this afternoon ; he has cleared the road the entire distance to a width of twelve feet. He has certainly had very unfavorable weather to contend with, and the everlasting delay of some sort or other makes people almost despair of it ever being finished. He assures us he will, weather permitting (not a bad proviso at this season of the year) finish it in six weeks. Trifling°as this concession on the part of the Government is, it will reduce the price of goods LlO or Ll3 per ton. It is now nearly fifteen months since the money was voted for this enormous undertaking—a road between two and three miles in length— and it seems as if the Government actually delighted in tantalising the people by their procrastination. I am glad to perceive that the people of Greymouth are taking steps to be annexed to Nelson — " a consummation most devoutely to be wished," for it certainly is th& most suitable course to pursue ; and I will assure you that they will have the cordial sympathy and co-operation of every man in the district — in fact', there 1? a bitter and undying hostility to the Canterbury rulei