REEFTON LETTER.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 277, 12 June 1886, Page 2

REEFTON LETTER.

Wednesday, June 9.

Bishop Suter, whose venerable form is well known on the Coast, has just paid us a visit. His zeal shows no abatement, and advancing years seem to make no impression on his endurance. His eloquence in the pulpit and earnestness as a preacher have been long established, and on occasions of his visit to Reefton the Church of England building seems all to small for the attendant listeners. Church folks here are fond of novelty, that, probably is one reason why they flock to hear the Bishop after a long absence, but even he with his tried and impassioned eloquence would have many a doubt about bringing them together if here for a lengthened term. In number there are sufficient to keep the church decidedly well filled, but lukewarmness and hyper-criticism, saps the vigor of the congregation, and empty spaces too often meet the minister's view.

I suppose of all amusements provided for the public taste there is none more attractive and absorbing, to the juvenile mind particularly, than the circus business. The horses, theclowns, the leaping, flights through hoops, ponies, spangles and sawdust, and in this case a selection of wild animals also, effect an impression that no time can efface, and our juveniles, now after this visit of St Leon's troupe, will be playing at circus for a month to come. On Monday evening the first notes of the band seemed to create much the same impression, in bringing a crowd together, as the fire-bell, for in a very few minutes the street was thronged, all apparently making towards the huge tent pitched on the flat between Upper Broadway and the river. As usual with shows of this kind it was well packed, so well that they decided to stay a second night, the little people were there in large numbers, pater and mater attending to guard their charges, but really to see the show, and all appearing intensely pleased and amused with the whole affair.

The engineer from Price's firm, Auckland, who will superintend the placing of the Pelton wheels, having arrived, the Keep-it-Dark battery has stopped and the water-wheel is now being taken to pieces and out of the pit. The discarded wheel is 12ft breast and 35ft high, and was a true and excellent piece of workmanship when taken over from the contractors for erecting battery, Messrs Giles and Gordon. It was first put in motion in 1875, having been erected by a Company calling itself the Public Battery Company, and afterwards by purchase passed into the hands of the

Keep-it-Dark Company. In its old age it had extra work to perform. Compressing air for the rock-drills used in the mine, added to the work of driving 20 stampers found out the weak places, and constant supervis ion was required; the manager of late finding it necessary to steady and brace it every Week, in the mine the work of filling in the stopes at the south end is being carried out. This is the first filling in since Christmas, the reef here being about 18ft wide. When this is finished work in the mine will be stopped for awhile. The contractors for sinking the shaft in the Nil Desperandum made a start yesterday. It is over a fortnight since the contract was let, but some delay was caused hi fixing the break for the winding wheel, so that the man at the shaft, which is underground some 400 feet from the mouth of the tunnel, could regulate the wheel from the inside. Sawn timber for the shaft is delivered at the foot of the incline at 11/- per 100 ft. *

At the Wealth of Nations the fluming for the winding wheel is getting into position, and after that there will be the ropes to place and lead through the tunnel to the poppet-heads at the shaft. In the meantime the hands are driving north along the track prospecting in likely-looking country. Owing to a faulty rope the Venus has come to a dead stop. The aerial line soon after starting operations required repairs; these being effected, others showed themselves, so that of late it has become so defective, and the number of stoppages so frequent, as to be unable to forward anything like a supply of stone to keep the battery going. A new rope has been ordered from Home, but the sudden collapse of the present one has rendered it necessary to seek for another to fill the gap. The Colonies have been searched, by wire, almost without success. From Wellington, however, news comes that sufficient steel rope of the character required can be obtained, and the delay of a week or ten days will see the Venus once more hi full swing. Paddocks and passes at the mine being full nearly all hands are discharged. The mine wears an improved appearance, and the yield per ton this crushing has been superior, it is therefore particularly unfortunate this stoppage should occur, if only temporarily.

In the Golden Treasure driving north along the track at the low level to catch the strike of the stone has been proceeding. Yesterday, however, the manager reported meeting with a crop head which cut through both walls and entirely changed the appearance of the country, it being now soft, irregular, and undefined ; a character of rock golden stone has never been found in in this mine. Driving to the south is now renewed, the appearance in that direction being very favourable. The Inglewood is still crushing. As often happens the supply of stone for a week or two is of an inferior quality ; then comes a change, and before the crushing is concluded the usual average is obtained. Just such is occuring with the Inglewood, the returns being now of a much more cheering character. In the mine all hands are engaged in the stopes and the daily supply of stone is regularly maintained, At Boatman's the Welcome is yielding large weekly learns of amalgam and the appearance of the mine warrant a long continuation of such. The contractors for tunnel flue have not yet finished, but the completion of their job will cause a great improvement in the ventilation of the mine.

The Fiery is crushing; the yields on the whole being fully up to anticipations. There is a strong reef to be seen in the stopes, and everychmg bears a very healthy appearance. The Just-in-Time being blocked up with stone, are carrying on their low level north to catch the strike of the reef. In the intermediate there is a strong body of stone showing, but until the Reform has finished crushing no more can be broken out.

The Reform as soon as their crushing terminates, the agreement being month about with the Just, intend to carry their low level to the boundary south, towards which they have about 140 feet to go. The stone in the stopes has pinched, which has caused some talk, but this is no unusual occurence especially with Boatman's reefs. The crushing is proceeding without interruption, and the returns are good.

A contract has been let to Mr .J. Quigley to cut .chamber and rise for poppet-heads hi the Homeward Bound. The chamber, which is of unusual dimensions, will contain mouth of shaft and the drums driven by compressed air for winding. The price is £3BO, and the dimensions of the chamber 40 xl6x 13 feet. The rock drill will be used in excavating.

Tuadt.