REEFTON LETTER.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 265, 20 March 1886, Page 2

REEFTON LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.) Reefton, March 17th. A visible improvement in affairs has beetf seen and felt since the partial rainfall we experienced previous to the beginning of this week. Alluvial mines had a chance of washing-up, and the effect was speedily apparent in the bustle about the stores, and the heavy loaded packhorses heading for the distant gullies. The supply was scarcely sufficient for some of the mills, but the copious rainfall of tins week is up to all requirements, and it will soon be difficult to immagine how drought and bush fires could obtain the mastery here. The effect of getting all the mills running, that have available stone, will be the resumption of work in the mines, and the absorption of all the labor in the district, for many have been idle during these summer months. Boatman's Creek is now in its normal condition, and the Welcome battery is at last in full swing, a consummation devoutly wished for months ago. The returns from this favorite property an predicted ta be very good, and to somewhat approach the sensational yields that heralded in the busy Mines known as the 44 spurt."

A survey of this company's property has been made by Mr Watkins, for the Eureka company, in order to determine the position of the reef and at what point and angle it is likely to be met with in the latter company's ground. The time for resumption of work in the Eureka has not been decided on, but the consideration of this survey, if favorable, will probably have the effect of causing shareholders to make a strong effort to resume work, and uncover the lode that the least sanguine amongst them has implicit faith will eventually be found in the company's ground. The Fiery is still driving to connect with the north winze, carrying a fair reef all the time in the face. Progress is somewhat slow, the air being dull, and until lately water for winding purposes was barely sufficient for the daily supply. The work of bailing out the intermediate and winze, for the purpose of making a connection with the rise from the lower level, is still going on at the Just-in-Time. Foul air has hindered the work, but the welcome change ?n the weather has improved matters in that respect. The stone in the Reform, which for the last few feet has been broken and small, has again assumed a solid appearance, and shows every sign of continuing unaltered. Over 60 feet have now been driven on the lode, which is feet wide in the face, and the show of gold still good. Judging from the locality, the ready means the company possess of raising their stuff, their close proximity and connection with a battery, with the favorable appearance of the lode already uncovered, and the extent likely yet to be explored; judging from these indications it is likely to eventuate that in the immediate future the Reform will enter the lists as a dividend-paying mine. Some stir has been caused on the range between Boatman's Creek and the Left-hand Branch by the finding of some very rich specimens. The ground has all been pegged out before, and loose stone, containing gold, found on the surface; getting on the track of this, a systematic search enabled Messrs Heaphy and M'Cafferty to uncover the lode which they have traced for about 100 feet, and it shows in places remarkably good gold. The reef is small, but, until it is sunk on for 6ome distance, it would be premature to pronounce on its stability. Three leases have been taken up in the vicinity. In Murray Greek the most satisfactory items of mining intelligence are the weekly returns from the Venus crushing, from which may be gathered that the cleaning-up will establish the yield at over an ounce to the ton, a highly pabable yield and fully up to expectations. The stopes are all manned now with the intention of keeping the mill going as long as possible. Fifteen heads are in use, but the battery is steadily gaining on the mine, the reef being small. The weekly supply of stone would probably keep ten heads in operation, but the mill will likely be halted for a time, when the reserve is exhausted in order to fill the paddocks for a fresh start. Operations in the Golden Treasure are still confined to prospecting. No success has attended the search for the north block over level No. 3. Here the block started, and a rise was put up overhead in the hope of finding a continuation of it to the surface. Seventy feet from the level the line of reef was driven on for 30 feet, and then cross-cutted into either wall, that to the west being now in hand. In the lower intermediate, where the last trace of the block was found, the search for it was unavailing; stone was found, but without gold. The walls had lost their usual underlie, and a decided change appeared in the country, the effect apparently oi a disturbance. Cross-cutting to the west from the low level is now being tried. The Inglewood is still crushing, the returns from the plates indicating a yield of fully an ounce to the ton. The reef in this mine resembles the blocks in the Boatman's district, for it is very liable to pinch. One day shows a good face of stone in all the stopes, the next there is very little reef visible. The foot-wall Varies the most, it being continually undulating and forming ridges and hollows on which the reef is found, ever widening and contracting. No other work but stoping is proceeding in the mine at present, all efforts being used to keep the battery fully supplied with stoue.

The Keep-it-Dark, owing to some dispute in the matter of wages, are calling for tenders for sinking the main shaft 180 feet. The stopes betray no change, and the battery, like the mint, is stamping out its monthly shilling. The work of bailing the shaft has commenced at the Nil. There is a fortnight's bailing probably in the ground. When this is accomplished some repairs to the shaft will be executed previous to doing any work below. The Inkerman is now crushing 16 hours a-day. At this rate the paddocks wi'l soon be emptied, for the supply of stone from the mine is growing scant, and the lower end of the block seems to have been reached. Its continuation, however, is still a matter of uncertainty, but the work of the next month will determine that.

At the Globe, once our main hope and stay, but four men are eugaged prospecting. News from that quarter is not cheering, but, " hope springs eternal." THADY.