REEFTON LETTER.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 267, 3 April 1886, Page 2

REEFTON LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.) Wednesday, March 31st. It is now admitted by politicians ot all shades that the East and West Coast Railway is a necessary work, and one that the country will have to undertake in the immediate future, though Dunedin wo ild very much like the Otago Central to be finished before money is allocate 1 for this line. Here we lo >k upon it as one of those facts that must occur, either that or the making or continuing of railways in other places must cease. Whilst paying a large share toward-; the construction of railways in other p trts of the colony, we feel that the time has arrived whoa in all fairness a connection by rail should be made between the East and West Coasts. The trade to be developed need not be entered into here, it is sufficient to know it will be of some consequence even at the outset, and every year will see a large increase. Fortunately, while waiting for this good time coming we have within our neighbourhood lodes and resfs that require developing, and in the working of which profitable investments may be made. A connection by rail would cause an access of population, and bring amongst us those who having the means are on the lookout for favourable speculations. This influx of capital would cause a more rapid development of our resources, and a corresponding increase in the returns would naturally be looked for. In the meantime, having learnt long ago to trust to ourselves, and not to be always crying to Jupiter, and having faith in the future of the district, that faith is now on the eve of being realised, as after a long spell of dullness and depression, a decided gleam of brightness is visible, the dawn of better times, and the wiuter of our discontent will soon be hut a recollection of the past. The Globe is again brought into favorable notice. What promises to be a new block of stone, distinct from any known before, was discovered at the end of last week, its dimensions at that tme being 3 feet 6 inches in thickness and still widening, and extending from floor to roof. Good prospects were obtained from drillings, and the appearance of the stone is very encouraging, but a week or two will elapse before sufficient will be known of it to pronounce decisively as to its character, as driving end on on a large body of reef is slow work. The Inkerman is crushing, but during the day-shift only. Most of the stone in the mine lias now to be raised from below the level, and more labor is therefore attached to it and the process is slower, the stone stoped being raised by a horse and whip.

The contract for dismantling, carting, and re-erecting the Golden Point battery for the Big River Company, was let to D. L. Cochrane for £SBO. No time will be lost in the prosecution of this work, as the favorable season for work of this kind is passing away, and the days are beginning to draw in. The Company excavate and prepare the foundation, and tenders are called for cutting water-race and erecting aerial tramway. The whole being under the supervision of Mr Gardner.

Outside works -are not yet completed at the Nil Desperandura, tenders being called for the erection o: a paddock. From this paddock a tram road will be laid to the Wealth battery, passing just above the Keep-it-Dark battery and shaft. No work of any consequence has been done in the mine since the contractors for enlarging the chamber ceased. Mr Watson is superintending, and laying off works. The Energetic is now nothiug but a name. True the claim still exists and is in the possession of the company, but to one who remembers it in its flush times a stroll over the site of its once active operations causes a feeling of dismay. Around the month of the sha't nothing remains but a few delapidated trucks, resting on decrepid wheels. The spot where the winding-engine stood isshield-

ing its nakedness with bounteous ferns ; and Oh, Vandalism ! the stately poppetheads, reduced to stumps, show how the axe robbed them of their fair proportions. Possibly the shareholders, some of them, are thankful that the mine is close;!, as it was a good, steady, call-p,tying claim during the last few years, and are now

anxiously awaiting a divilend arising from the sale of battery and other plant, the payment of which is now due. The serial line of the Venus, which is on the oppos'te hill from the Energetic, Murray Creek intervening, works smoothly and well, and is, without a doubt, a complete method o r conveying mineral over rough country and long distances. The mine is keeping up a good supply of stone, and the returns from the battery are satisfactory. A cloaning-up will probably take place during the coming month.

The battery of the Inglewood having overtaken the mine a cleaning-np will take place before the end of this week, when, if expectations are realised, a dividend of sixpence will be declared. After a halt of a week or two crushing will be resumed. Stone is pleutiful, but the method of raising the stuff by horse and whip, there being also a large quantity of water, is not equal to the requirements of the battery. The Fiery is now upon the point of bre king in*o the winze, towards which hey have b°en so long driving. Communication being made, crushing will be commenced permanently, as the reef averages fully 3 feet in width ; the block is nearly 200 feet long, and 140 feet of backs, so that regular returns will shortly be the rule from Boatman's, as this claim and the Welcome will be steady contributors to tiie batteries, and help materially to swell our weekly amount of am.dgam.

The Just-in-Time lias not yet made a connection between the upper and lower workings, but, as the water is now almost out, a survey will determine the company in what direction to rise, drive, or sink. The lode in the Reform still retains its promising appearance. The drive is being continued on stoue, and about 90 feet of the lode has now been explored. Thady.

[Continuation of News, see 4tli Page.]