GREY RIVER. UP-COUNTRY DISTRICT.

West Coast Times, Issue 1327, 23 December 1869, Page 3

GREY RIVER. UP-COUNTRY DISTRICT.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPOND RNT.) Ahaura, December 20. In mining matters there has been a steady improvt ment to notice throughout the greater portion of the Grey. River Upcountry District during the past week or two. The fay( r lble change in the state of the weather his done wonders for the mining population, and to that w r e ma}' chiefly attiibute the present satisfactory state of affairs. There are scenes of bustle and activity to be seen all over the diggings, and everywhere the people seem to be in high spirit. New discoveries of payable ground have been reported from various quarters as having taken place during last week and the we k before, several of which promise to become of considerable importance, inasmuch as they will increase the quantity of gold produced within the district, and give profitable employment to large numbers of mineis. In giving publicity to the above facts, I would beg to state that it is not in}' intention to hoM out any false inducements to parties at a distance, as I would not like to induce miners who ma}' be profitably employed and comfortably located where they are, to come all the way up here for the sake of a few new rushes, the extent of which are not over any very large area, and in a district like the Napoleon, with a numerous mining population, the ground is t.iken up within a very short space of time. It is a gratification to know that, during the continuance of the fine weather, some good at lea^t has resulted to the district. I mean the setting out of prospecting parties in various directions. At the pre-ent time, prospecting is being -carried on systematically through the ranges on the right-branch of Noble's, and it is expected that before long something payable will be struck in that quarter, a< the country is likely looking. The small rush about which I made mention in my last as having set into a spur on the righthand branch of Noble's, promises to turn out well, to judge from \n-is nt indications The pi ospects obt-iined have averaged nine grains to the dish in three fe^t of washdirt ; the sinking is fifty -feet or thereabouts. Several shafts are being put down, and the ground has been taken up for a cbnsiderablc distance from • the claim of the prospectors, v\hich as yet is the only one on gold. From Na-p-)leon Hill there is nothing of an extraordinary nature to i eport upon since my last ] communication. The township is looking lively now as ever. The claims on the lead are still looking well ; operations are being proceeded with in the l.sual manner, and tLe results from the late washings have proved satisfactory, by what I understand. At the Mo c quito Lead matters arc looking healthy, and a steady improvement is to be seen. At Brandy Jack's, the lead continues to be improving, that is to say, the upper part of it ; and operations are being vigorously pushed forward by all the parties at work here. The claimholeers lower down have all, more or less difficulties to contend with ; but, neverthelss, entertain the idea of success, and are setting in to Avork with a will. At Half-ounce and Duffer's things are beginning to look up again after the rain. On Speculator's Rush and Canadian Terrace matters are progressing favorably. The sports at Napoleon's are announced to come off on the 27th and 28th, and the programme which is now published promises well for the size of the place. The accounts to hand from No Town are of the most satisfactory character. The new rush, by all accounts, seems to be pro-g-essing fa\orably, and promises to be of considerable importance. I intend visiting that locality in a day or two, and shall forward the full particulars to you by the very first opportunity.