OWEN REEFS DISTRICT.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 278, 19 June 1886, Page 2

OWEN REEFS DISTRICT.

(from our own correspondent.)

Tuesday, June 15th.

Mining in this locality is steadily progressing, and three new leases have recently been pegged off on what is now called the Enterprise line of reef. The Bulmer Creek has suspended operations for a few days, pending the result of the meeting of shareholders which took place on Monday last at Nelson. There are four distinct reets now exposed in this claim, and one of them has been traced nearly to the northern boundary, showing a fair prospect of gold throughout. It is proposed to erect an incline tramway, shoot, and paddock, to connect the mine with the machine site situate on Bulmer Creek. The prospects of this Company are most encouraging, and I trust that being the pioneers of the field that their eftorts will be crowned with the success they so richly deserve. The Lyell Company's ground is immediately north of Bulmer Creek, and is so pegged off as to catch all the lines of reef exposed in the latter claim, and their uuderlap. Surface stone picked up on this claim shows a very good sample of coarse gold.

The Wakatu United have six men en gaged driving a cross-cut tunnel to intersect the reef, which is expected to be cu in about 150 feet.

The Enterprise claim lias attracted numerous visitors, and I must say that if! the stampers reveal anything like the prospects obtained from small portions of the stone, the fortunes of the lucky proprietors is assured. Prospecting work is not proceeding just now owing to the inclemency of the weather, which has been very severe for some time past. Frost and snow being the order of the day. I notice in your last issue that your correspondent, " Quid Nunc," has Mleu into an error in stating ihe route of the road has been decided, and that men were already engaged upon day labour. As yet there is no appearance of a commencement of the road, and I am in a position to state that the line is not yet decided upon, and most likely the matter will be brought under the notice of Parliament during this session before the work is finally taken in hand. It is a pity that such reports should be circulated without foundation, as many labouring men have trudged up here expecting to get a job, and have gone away disappointed. The Golden Fleece claim will soon be thoroughly prospected. A meeting was held at Hampden last week of the prin-

cipal shareholders, and it was resolved to put on men at once to drive a tunnel into the main reef to test its value. This mine stands a good show and deserves attention.

Mr Wright, Government surveyor, has completed his work and has left for Nelson, taking with him samples of quartz from all the claims, likewise a good prospect of alluvial gold, obtained from the banks of the river. I understand all these samples have been forwarded to Wellington to be treated by Dr. Hector. Of course we are all waiting anxiously for Mr Wright's report, which will not be published until Dr. Hector's report and analysis of the stone is received by the authorities in Nelson.