NELSON CREEK.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1505, 4 February 1885, Page 2

NELSON CREEK.

« (from our own correspondent). Few localities on the West Coast have withstood the ravages of time better than Nelson Creek. It is upwards of twenty years since the "diggings" was first opened, an-1 although in the interval since then it has seen many changes, the com in unity, to all appearance, is as productive and prosperous as ever. Of the enormous amount of work done in Nelson Creek — of the area of ground turned upside down in quest of gold, no adequate idea can be formed, but the maze of discarded head and tail-races, and the acres ef boulders with their crimson coating are eloquent memorials of bygone activity and enterprise. Most of the ground about the township — or Hatter's Terrace, as it is called, was shallow surfacing of from five to ten feet in depth. Some of the ground was prodigiously rich, and how many tons of gold it has added to the world's store of the precious metal, I forbear to guess, but many tons to bo sure. As the shallow ground about the '

town gave out, so the workings extent ded into the back country, where, J if " jeweller's shops " were less fre- 3 quently met with, the depth of thf wash J I made up iv permanence what it lacked J in richness, the result being that many t of these terrace claims have been in 1 work for from ten to fifteen years, and 1 will probably last as much longer. Rich * and enduring, however, as the terrace claims are at Nelson Creek, much of j the ground could never have been 1 woiked but for the Hochstetter race < which has brought under hydraulic 1 opei-ation thousands of acres of ole- 1 vated auriferous land, which otherwise i would have remained untouched until i now. The township of Nelson Creek is < well situated, being elevated about a hundred feet above the river, and is therefore free from the influence of 1 floods. There is one principal ) street, narrow, and of about to hundred < yards in length. The township still retains many of the char- i acteristics of the old " Roaring Camp" days, though the buildings taken altogether could not suffer in comparison with those of Reefton and elsewhere. The marks of the old halcyon days are shown in the genial hospitality and liberality of the people. Despite electioneering conflicts, school committee fighes, and chu-eh choivs, everybody appears to be on friendly terms with everybody else, and if diferences do exist they are wisely not imported into the affairs of every day light, and so the social current flows tranquilly along. It has been wickedly suggested that thi_ is due in a great measure to the fact that Nelson Creek has not yet got a local newspaper. Well, if this is so may the peaceable and sociable people there long escape the journalistic infliction. Nelson Creek has many worthy specimens of the good old digger type of bygone days ; and can make a fair muster of the ancient, and now fast thinning roll of " Fifty-, woers." — May their shadows never grow less. In public buildings Nelson Creek can boast only of a siate school. The need of a police station has never arisen during its twenty yeais history, and this notwithstanding that its population has at different times been very large. The town possesses a comfortable reading room and the nucleus of a public library, under the care of Mr James Young, who takes a great interest in the institution, and never misses the opportunity of adding to its literary attractions. Chess and draughts are provided for frequenters of the Reading Room, and the games have many enthusiastic patrons. Nelson Creek rather prides itself for its skill over the dambrod, and musters some of the most expert players to be found on the West Coast. Our esteemed friend Mk James Law proved a vei-y " demon " with the checkers, and the facile manner in which he *' knocked out " a player from Reefton was a, caution. Mr Roche has just completed the erection of commodious and very handsome premises, all of which fully testify his well grounded faith in the future of the district. There is one thing of whioh the Nelson Crepk people are properly proud, and that is their annual '* Burns Celebration." What horse-racing, pic nies, carnivals and other festive gatherings are to larger places, this yearly Caledonian Gathering is to Nelson Creek, and each year seems to add more importance to the gathering. The celebration this year was held on the 26th instant, and attracted visitors from every part of the Grey Valley, representatives from Totara Flat, Ahaura, Orwell Creek, No Town and Brunnerton mustering in strong force, Reefton also helping to swell the throng. The day was unfortunately not as fine as could Vie wished, and the ! pelting rain of the afternoon was a heavy tax upon the courage and enthusiasm of those ladies who had to come from a distance. But they faced it " manfully " and could have had no reason to regret their hardihood, for the ball was a pronounced success in every way. The visitors commenced to arrive at about 5 p.m., antl by 9 p.m., the large room of the State School was crowded. Dancing was commenced and continued to 11 p.m., with great spirit. An adjournment was then made to the banquet, at which there were not less than two hundred present. The Chair was filled by Mr James Young, and the Vice-Chair by MrM'Leod. Mr Menteath M.H.R., who had been invited by the committee, was present and was seated on the right of the Chairman. Cr Parfitt being on the left. The spread was such as would have done credit to any establishment in Greymouth or Reefton, the tables being well appointed in every respect. Owing to the large number of ladies present who wero anxious to get back to the ball -room as quickly as possible it was decided to make the speeches as brief as could be. The Chairman made a short address appropriate to the occasion, after which grace was said as follows : — "Some hae meat and canna eat And some wad eat that want it But wo hae meat, and we can eat And sac the Laird be tliankit." A convenent interval having elapsed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were then proposed, after which came the dish of the evening — tho renowned , and immortal Haggis, the appearance ] of which was duly heralded by the i Chairman with Burn's address to ' that fearful and wonderful compound, and then tlie company fell to "wi ' maight and main." ] The toasts then followed in quick | succession " The Memory of Burns" i was proposed by the Chairman, and ' drunk in silence. The Vice.Chairman I then proposed "The Living Poets " c after which the Bhairman gave "Our t Guest, " responded to hy Mr Menteath. . Mr S. M'Naught proposed "Our Visi- ' .

ors " which was responded to by Mr r. Marshal and Mr M. Graham. " The •.lining Interest " was proposed by Mr F. Marshall and responded to by Mr lames Law. "The Commercial In- j merest " by Mr Menteath, responded to ' by Mr Roche and Mr Parfitt. " Our J Worthy Chairman " proposed by Mr I. C. Smith, responded to by Mr J. Young, "The Ladies" proposed by Mr J. Law, responded to by Mr J. Hanna, " The Press " proposed by the Chairman responded to by Mr W. J. Potts. A number of songs and recitations appropriate to the occasion were interspersed between the speeches, and a larger number of "Wee Donals" were interspersed between everything until " Some wee short hour ayont the twal " When the company returned to the ball room where dancing was resumed, and kept up with unflagging zeal until 6am., when the company separated with many congratulations upon the success of the gathering.