REEFTON LETTER.

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

REEFTON LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.) Wednesday, March 3rd, 1886. The Venus commenced crushing last week, with just water enough to supply ten heads. The aerial line works well and there will be no difficulty in keeping the battery supplied with stone. Additional hands have been engaged at the mine, and the stopes are well manned to keep up the supply of stone ; the first cleaning-up will likely take place when the miil overtakes the mine. So far the appearance of the plates promises well, and every day's crushing is more reassuring. The Inglewood cleaned up on Saturday last, the water supply being exhausted, with the result for the fortnight of about an ounce to the ton. Sunday's rain caused them to make a fresh start, but this will require to be supplemented by occasional showers, or another check will soon be placed on the crushing. The

wine is look tig promising, and the supply of stone good. The Keep-it-Dark having sunk their winze about 100 feet have discontinued it. A strong reef was proved to exist at that depth, and the future of the mine for another level is now pretty well assured. The sinking of the main shaft is progressing favorably, whilst the returns from the battery are healthy and up to the usual average. The Nil Desperandum having finished their preliminary works are now almost ready to bail out the shaft and resume operations be'ow. The shaft, however, has been standing full of water for some time, and it is possible some alterations may be made in the grade in parts where the angle is abrupt, it being sunk on the -underlay. Those acquainted with the r mine reckon that a large supply of payable stone may easily be obtained from the lower levels, portions of it having been worked, whilst in other parts it was left by the tributers for the purpose of working better stone. In No. 2 Dark a chamber has been cut and a shaft sunk some distance on the lode. Its ptoportions are small, but the show of gold is encouraging, and should it extend its bulk will prove a highly remunerative venture. The new winding wheel of the Wealth of Nations is making good progress. It is to be placed not far from the battery and in a line with the month of the tunnel. Four men have been engaged sinking the main shaft which is now down about 70 feet from the floor of the chamber and in what may be termed good cuuntry. Of late they have been engaged putting up a rise above the chamber in which the pulleys and frames forming the poppetheads H-ill be placed. The battery wheel is utilised to drive a circular saw; Mr j Watson having a thoroughly efficient saw- | mill here, at which all timber of that class required for the mine is sawn, and large orders for other mines have been executed. At the battery the berdans are kept running on tailings stacked when t io Wealth was in the heyday of prosperity. A small profit is made weekly from each berdan, (six) which helps to keep down expenses, and also proves there is loss in the best regulated batteries. The Inkerman has started crushing with one shift. This will be continued as the supply of stone at present available is not sufficient to keep the battery running constantly. The Big River Company have concluded the purchase of the Golden Point batteiy and plant for the sum mentioned in my last, iM39, and a e now calling for tenders for removing and erecting it on its new site.

After a very long interval of idleness the Welcome lias again got to work, the battery having started early in the week, hut without the berdans, the supply not being sufficient. The mine is looking splendid, and but fur this long stoppage would now be paying dividends. The paddocks being blocked with stone, the mill can run without interruption for some time. The Just-in-Time and Hopeful tributers have parcels of stone waiting to be crushed; that Irom the Just being, it is said, of extra good quality. In the mine the company are engaged bailing out the winze, towards which efforts have been made for a long time past* to effect a junction with from the low level. Once this connection is made a block of considerable dimensions is available tor the mill, which renders the delay caused by futile efforts to iind the winze the more vexatious. The stone in the Reform, following the law noticeable in all other blocks on the line, pinched out, leaving a small portion in the lower part of the drive and underfoot. A few inches of blank ground aud

then ft imike of ?tone on the footwall. filing. liv lust accounts, the face of the drive. All work in the mine Ims lately been let on contract, which, it carried out and finished at the prices tendered for will eff'Ct a considerable saving to the company. Thady.