THE LONGWOOD REEFS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 846, 5 July 1878, Page 3

THE LONGWOOD REEFS.

—o (Western Star.) Operations have been almost entirely sus, pended during Hie past week owing to the fearful weather which has prevailed during the past week during that time. It is reported that the Hayes Bros, have bottomed, but they refuse to give any information whatever as to the extent, nature or direction of the reef in their claim. The result is that a very general dissatisfaction prevails at their reticence, which has found vent in the following petition to the Warden, which is being numerously signed ; “ Longwood. “To the Warden, Nugent Wood, Esq. “Sir,—We do hereby petition you on the part of the miners and public, that you will use your utmost power to satisfy the petitioners on the following points. Viz. Ist. We wish to know whether the Hayes Bros, have a reef or not, and in order to do so wo wish you to appoint two practical disinter ested parties to go down the shaft and examine it, and we further object to the papers being granted to them until it is done. If our assistance is required we will lend a hand to open up the ground.” However desirable the object sought by the petitioners may he, the means taken to do so will not succeed. Unless for certain specific purposes (such as in cases of litigation and to see that proper precautions are exorcised to prevent loss ot life) the Warden has power to authorise an inspection of a mine to gratify curiosity or the exigencies of adjoining claimholders. We do not wish to be understood as approving the conduct of Hayes Brothers in not divulging information which would be of very great service to all interested ; but unless the prospectors of their own accord can be induced to publish all the information in their possession with regard to their claim (in accordance with a promise made before their lease was granted) we are not aware of any statutory machinery which could be set in motion for that purpose. Cortaiuly the action of the prospectors is calculated to give rise to suspicions as to their motives, and to nothing else can be attributed the various rumors which have been afloat during the past fortnight. On the authority of the Hayes Brothers we shall bo glad to dispel these rumors.