REEFTON LETTER.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume V, Issue 249, 21 November 1885, Page 2

REEFTON LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.) November 1 Gtb. lia this community, based like your own wholly and solely upon mining, one's thoughts naturally recur when seeking for items of correspondence, to that allabsorbing topic. The names of our principal mines and their value in the eyes of shareholders and the general public are no doubt pretty well known to your readers. All but a scanty tew of our mines have been under a cloud lately, and the wave of depression that swept, over the world reached us even in these hilly solitudes, the chilling effect of which has not yet worn off; though lam happy to say there are now fair symptoms of a recovery.

The Welcome, wliieh had been so many weeks lying idle through the breakmg of the crank-shaft of the winding engine, recently started work again ; and news reached town last week of their striking the north block in the low level, and of its showing indications of being of the same quality as that which yielded such famous crushings a year or two ago. This should give an impulse to the Eureka, which after a long period of steady call-paying is now laid up in ordinary for twelve months ; but possibly, it' news contintinues thus favourably from the Welcome, shareholders will make an effort and start operations before the end of the term. This also brings the Homeward Bound into favour, and enquries are made for shares at an advanced figure.

The tributors in the Fiery Cross have had a second guod crushing, and from the appearance of the face of stone have every prospect of their good luck continuing The company are driving to connect th e ? r two winzes, each sunk on good stone, n re paratory to resuming steady crushmo operations. * n

Comparisons is odorous " \Trs Partington says, but it has been Vie fashion to hold up the Keep-it-Dark < - our model, steady, dividend - mv j™ mine, and one that could not be easilv wiped out, or even meet with its en ml on the Coast. Fortunately this idea his been upset, for it has met with n" u ahle competitor (and there is room for manmore) m the United Alpine, which <nr S $ - e llT7 one 1,61 ' e !' y its weekly yields, the surprise H m , enhanced by such an immense body of Ptonp so ath. However, the « Dark " directors console themselves by the fact that they can always declare the usual shilling 1S - «,e United Alpine has done with its superior yield the Daik has 20.000 shares whilst the Alpine is m 82,G00. e d< j j | Murray Creek is bemoaning the loss of an old friend, an,] one that has .riven many a man a lift. [ al |„ t ~ tho winding engine 0 f the Enonretie, which has been purchased by M, Kil«y.>ur. f-v use at Ills co.al mine at lirnm u'ron. The Capital of the Energetic bein : all c.il!"■" «P. the directors a few months , X v n , ,1,,.' cided to suspend operations and dispose otthe property and plant. The battery M heails > driven by steam, and a uuaiW

f >i iron rails, were purchased by the Venus j company for JE9OO. The winding engine | has been disposed of since. It is bad ; enough to i«ee the old claim dismantled ; 'ti<l its machinery sold, but it makes it | f;ir worse to see it leaving the district when it will ultimately be required. A s-hort lime ago, the directors of the United Inglewood, advertised in several of the leading newspapers of -'the colony for a steam engine fit for winding purposes. Many answers were sent in to this application, but none were accepted. Upon further consideration, the primitive method of using a horse under-ground for hauling stuff and water, was adopted, and this plan is still in vogue, frittering aw iy in a few months, by its extra cost, money that would go a long way in acquiring i permanent machinery for winding. Such a chance as the Energetic engine, will not present itself again very soon. Al4 h.p. portable, double-cylinder winding engine, fitted with reversing gear, and almost as good as new. Included in the lot, were wire ropes for hauling, cage?,trucks, flatsheets, pulleys, and even the poppetheads, all for the extremely low figure of £325. The whole standing within miles of the Inglewood mine, and with a good road all the way. The ground of the Energetic will probably pass into the possession of the Wealth of Nations adjoining, when further prospecting may prove that the reef which cut out in the line it was descending, has made an erratic jump to north or south, and is again going down as strong as ever. Time wai, when the Energetic was the claim of this district. It was always a good claim for employing labor, an average of 60 to 70 men forming its staff for years. But its glory has departed. The Venus is looking well. The uprise is through, and there is from the level above 190 feet of backs ; fifty or sixty feet has been driven on the lode, the extent of which can only be guessed at; experts pronounce the stone as good for an ounce per ten, a return which if near realised, will soon bring this property to the front; The paddock and arial tramway to the battery, is now being rapidly pushed forward. Two or three months ago, the Golden Treasure, after laying idle for awhile, was again manned and late reports from the mine are of a cheering character; a new make of stone having come in below the north block, which showed signs of giving out, and although at present somewhat limited in extent, is carrying excellent &old. Thaly.