Lyell Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1886.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 263, 6 March 1886, Page 2

Lyell Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1886.

The United Alpine directors met on Thursday and declared the usual monthly dividend of one shilling per 32,000 th share, equal to £1,600, payable on and after to-day. The filling-in operations at the mine were concluded yesterday, and every thing is now in readiness for stoping. During the early part of this work the pass became choked through some of the timber getting displaced. Great care had to be exercised in clearing it, and in consequence a delay in filling in was caused.

The United Italy contractors have now sunk 16 ieet on the reef. The reef is showing a thickness of three feet, and making strongly- to the westward. The stone is gold bearing and prospects well. In last week's operations what was taken for a bulge in the hanging-wall, causing the reef to pinch out, was actually quartz in the form of a number of leaders, appearing in a peculiar formation.. When this formation was met the contractors went over it and to the eastward, when it was discovered that the reef was making again in the original character. A.t the present time the reef has a tendency to the west, and nearly perpendicular. The present contract of 20 feet will be finished to-night, when the directors will meet aud decide on future operations. W. Blair, Esq., Engineer-in-Chief for the South Island, passed through Lyell on Monday last, making his periodical inspection of. roads, bridges, See., of the West Coast. He intended going on to Westport and journeying overland from thence to Greymouth, sending his conveyance up to Ueefton, when he will resume his journey on to Nelson via Lyell. Alfred Greenfield, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands, arrived at Lyell from Nelson during the early part of the week on his usual visit to the W T est Coast.

The Bank of New South Wales representative will visit Lyell on Tuesday, returning to Westport the following day. The contractor for concreting Lyell reservoir commenced operations last Thursday. The National Bank representative is due in Lyell to-day, on his usual monthly vis : t.

We direct attention to the Central Buller race advertisement appearing in another column. The races will lie held 011 the 17th instant, and the same arrangements for conveying visitors will be observed as heretofore.

Mails for the United Kingdom, per Direct Mail Service, close at 1.30 p.m. (this day) Saturday, 6th March. All correspondence must be specially addressed per " Direct Mail Service." Our old friend, Alf Smith, has again taken possession of the Fern Flat Hotel. This hotel is the stopping pi ice for Newman's coaches for the first day's journey between Nelson and the West Coast, and as the traffic on this line is daily increasing it is highly essential that the accommodation at this hotel should be up to requirements. Mr Smith's catering in the past is so well known to the travelling public that it is unnecessary for ns to add more.

A notification appears in this issue respecting setting fire to native bush. The balance-sheet in connection with the recent Hospital concert, and the list of subscribers to date, will appear in next issue. The Rev. J. B. S. Rolland will arrive at Lyell this evening, and conduct divine services to-morrow as usual. At the morning and evening services collections will be made in aid of the testimonial to be presented to his Lordship the Bishop, on St Patrick's Day, and subscribed to by all the parishes of his diocese. A lecture will be delivered at the schoolroom on Saturday evening next by the Rev. T. B. M' Lean, the reverenl gentleman taking for his subject, " Tae Platform Experiences of J. B. Gough " A collection will 1 e made in aid of the building fund of St Matthew's Church.