REEFTON LETTER.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 275, 29 May 1886, Page 2

REEFTON LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.)

Wednesday, May 26. At this season of the year fogs in the Inangahua Valley have a propensity to settle down, and damp and chill everybody and everything, on days that are in reality bright and sunny. The robust citizen taking a constitutional up the Ajax Hill all at once emerges from dense mist iuto glorious sunshine. From some point of vantage his eye scans the wild extent of valley filled with white vapor, and iu its uniform level resembling the waters of a lake extending to the slopes of the ranges on either hand. He is, as it were above the clouds with the clear sky and bright sun above him, whilst the living world is shut out from his sight; sounds however reach him, the familiar tones of a bell or gong, softened by the distance together with a void he is experiencing in the region of the stomach remind him the dinner hour has arrived, and hastily deciding it were better to lose the sun than his dinner he dives again into the mist. Just such a fog had settled down on Monday resting as it were on the tops of the houses, and forming a canopy beneath which our Volunteers marched with martial tread to the recreation ground. There tor a brief half hour they wheeled, manouvered, and burnt powder, when God Save the Queen from the band announced they were dismissed, and the foot ball team took up the running. The public assembled were somewhat disappointed at the briefness of the parape, but good humouredly waited and looked on at the? foot ball match, which was sroceeding merrily when the fire bell rung out; at the first tap there was an anxious movement in the crowd, in another moment all were hurrying away, and a race to town by players, volunteers, and onlookers soon emptied the paddock, and the match was adjourned sine die. Upon reaching Central Broadway the roof ot Jacobson's Hotel, which had caught fire, was being operated on by a strong jet from the pressure pipes which blew the shingles from the roof ten feet in the air, and rcpidly diminished all fears of danger; another jet had been led inside the building and the deluge soon set all doubts at rest.

In the evening in honor of her Majestys' birthday the Inangahua Rifles held a ball at the Oddfellows Hall. This being the first Volunteer Ball ever held in Reefton, and the cause being very popular, it was well attended by the members of the corps and their friends, and a very enjoyable night was spent. A red coat has always an attraction foe female loveliness, and my parting recollections remind me thai, " Bright the lamps shone o'er iair women and brave men," circling in the mizy waltz to the strains o; the Blue Danube.

Part of the machinery connected with the Pelton wheels for the Keep-it-Dark has arrived. At the end of the month a stoppage will be made, the present wheel taken from its position, in which it has done long and useful service, and be replaced by the new wheels. Two of them are to be utilised for driving the battery,

and a third in the same wheel-pit will 1)3 used for the compressor. The time necessary to do all this work is expected to extend to three weeks or a month; some rock excavation being necessary to make room for the compressor wheel. The Auckland firm that furnishes the machinery is sending a man round to place it in position. There is no change to report in the appearance of the mine, the stone maintaining its usual average. There will however be a cessation of work in the stopes until the battery is again in going order. After the water was bailed out the directors of the Nil Desperandum decided after inspection to carry the shaft down straight, it is now sunk chiefly on the incline, and for that purpose have let a contract for sinking shaft 120 feet, starting at 75 feet below the brace where the underlie commences, and chamber and drive to connect with the low level. This work, though causing a delay of three or four months, was indispensable to make it a good working shaft, and the company will greatly benefit by the job. In No. 2 Keep-it-Dark sinking has been discontinued, and the main tunnel extended to the north on the line of reefBoulders and narrow veins of quartz are met with, which are more or less goldbearing.

The returns from the Venus are of an encouraging nature, warranting the belief that, as the block becomes further explored, the stone will improve in value. The stopes look promising, and the level is still being extended, carrying a fairsized reef, to the south.

The returns from the Inglewood battery, though not quite up to expectations, now show good signs of improvement, and the supply of stone is coming forward freely. A contract for low level tunnel has just been let to a party of men from Westport. The distance to be driven is 1350 feet, and the price 27/6 with timber, 22/6 without.

South of, and adjoining the Venus, a lease, known as the Royal Oak, has lately been pegged off. It takes in the slope of the hill from Murray Creek to the boundary of the Venus, and has a well-defined track exposed on the line of the Venus reefs, an extention of which will be sought for. A company is now in process of registration, previous to commencing active operations to test the ground. The Fiery intended to start crushing to-day. The excellent returns from the last crushing are expected to be at least equalled, and the appearance of the stopes, and size of the reef, indicate that the supply for the battery will be readily maintained.

The Reform has been crushing a week, but as no copper-plates are used the yield is not so easily ascertained. Electric plates are ordered, in the meantime the crushing is proceeding with blanket-tables only; the surest process known when the supply of clean water is constant, but entailing far more extra work. The Just-in-Time have a large reef in view, but, being blocked up with stone, and no more room for stacking available, they are extending main level to the north.

Reports from the Lone Star continue good. Splendid specimens are to be seen from it, and the opinion of those who have visited the site is that a second Welcome is being opened up in Boatman's. Thady.