Lyell Times. SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1886.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 280, 3 July 1886, Page 2

Lyell Times. SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1886.

In the United Alpine for the past week the usual amount of stoping has been earned on in the mine, and no change of any importance has taken place in the workings. The new make of stone coming south is still looking well, and. shows a tendency to widen out since last report. The prospecting cross-cut to the east for north block is now in over 20 feet, having liad hard country to contend with, but at the present time shows improvement, "both as to driving and likely appearance of reef bearing. The late iuclement weather, accompanied by heavy fall of snow, has somewhat interfered with the trucking operations, however a steady and ample supply of stone has been maintained to the battery. At the battery the stampers have been steadily going. The contractors tor lower portion of the head race are making as good progress as can be expected considering the weather which has obtained lately. The " Sunbeam " Company arrived at Lyell late yesterday evening, and were consequently unable to open as announced. This evening they will make their appearance in their justly celebrated entertainment entitled " Sunbeams." The evening's performance is Lighly spoken of wherever they have shown. \ The next sittings of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts will be held at Lyell on Wednesday 7th instant, and at Murchison on the previous day. Mr Alfred Greenfield, Commissioner of Crown Lands, passed through Lyell to Nelson yesterday, having returned from Westport whore he was engaged in his official capacity in connection with the sale of Crown Land reserves in that town and Addisons.

The usual monthly directors' meetings of the Tyr Connell and United Italy companies wiU be held on Monday evening next, sth instant. On Tuesday evening directors'meetings in the United Alpine and Croesus companies will be held. In each instance the meetings will take place at Mr James luglis' office. The Inangahua County Council invite tenders for dray road up Matikatika in three sections, closing on 27th instant. Specifications to be seen at Reefton and at Rait's Hotel, Murchison. The Rev. A. Innes-Jones will hold divine service in St. Matthew's Church to-morrow morning and evening at the usual hours.

A parishoners meeting of St. Matthew's Church will be held this evening at 8 o'clock in the vestry, for the purpose of electing committee lor the ensuing year, and the consideration ot other matters in connection with the Church.

A representative of the Bank of New South Wales will visit Lvell on Thursday next for transaction of- usual banking business.

In the Tyr Connell all ban Is are now engaged stoping on the block. Some of the stone taken out is of exceptional richness. The leader has now been followed 170 feet to the south end, and continues strong in the face with payable gold. This is the first leader worked south of the big dyke or break on the Eight-Mile Hill, and the ground now being penetrated by this Company has not up to the present been prospected or thoroughly tested with the exception of the leader now showing in the face, and it is satisfactory to find that payable stone exists in a well-defined leader such as the one now being operated upon. The tributors working in Potter's level in the United Italy are meeting the leader with extended dimensions the further they drive on it, and the stone is also improving in quality. The Company intend making a call this month, and starting active operations by putting in a crosscut to the eastward. The point from which this work will be started will to a great extent depend an the operations now being carried on in the adjoining claim, the Maruia.

Tenders for driving 800 feet of the United Alpine Company's No. 7 level, close at Mr James Inglis' office on Tuesday next, Gth instant at 4 o'clock p m.

From the Public Works Statement, delivered in the House on the 25th ultimo, we see that surveys of a site for a bridge over the Buller, at Lyell, have been made, and the design, which will require to be of a somewhat exceptional character, is under consideration.

We have to acknowledge the receipt from Mr Lewis, Manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, Limited, Reefton of the prospectus of the New Zealand Midland Railway Company, Limited. Accompanyiug the prospectus is a colored map showing the proposed route, and area within which the Crown Land is reserved for selection of land grant. A representative of the National Bank Reefton, will be in attendance at Lyell, next Saturday, for the transaction of banking business.

The second reading of the Dog Registration Bill, which raises the dog tax to £l, has been carried in the House after considerable opposition.

In the House 25th ult. much discussion took place on clause 70, providing for the election of chairman by the County Council from among its members. The Westland members stoutly objected, and sought to have him elected by the popular vote. After along debate the clause was retained by 40 to 15. Sutter then moved to strike off the chairman's salary, which was carried by 28 to 23. A paragraph in the Anglo New Zedlander newspaper respecting the Midland railway says that the line, which will be 225 miles in length, is to be let in 35 contracts, and that the Directors had decided to commence with the Brunnerton to Reefton section, of about 40 miles. This may to some extent explain the telegram which was published the other day, to the effect that a 30 mile contract had been let subiect to the passing of the Validation Bill.

The following business was transacted at the last meeting of the Inangahua County Council:—Re J. Cullen's claim ; proposed by Cr. Campbell, seconded by Cr. Gardner, as an amendment, that the claim be not allowed; the voting on the amendment was as follows—Ayes : Crs. Campbell, Gardner, Duncan, and Irving ; noes: Crs. Twohill, Lynch, Craig, and M'Ginley; the Chairman gave his vote with the ayes, and declared the amendment carried. From J. M'Gregor, Hampden, enclo|ing an amended account for travelling expenses, and referring in jocular terms to the refusal of the Council to pay the full claim. From Surveyor-General, enclosing plans for widening Murchison road, and requesting that the plans be forwarded to the Chief Surveyor, Nelson, for his approval. From Chief Surveyor, Nelson, returning plans duly approved by him; Cr. Lynch said that everything being now ready for the prosecution of the work he would move that tenders be called forthwith ; the Chairman said the Government had agreed to give £SOO towards the work, the total cost of which would be £ 1000 ; Cr. Craig seconded the motion, which was put and carried. From secretary Hampden Athenisum, enclosing mines of subscribers to building fund. From A. A. S. Menteath, M.H.R., re track from Larry's Creek to Dee Hill, and asking for further particulars in support of that work, objection having beeu raised by the department that the track running parallel with the Westport road would not open up count y proportionate to cost; re horse bridge over Larry's Creek, and stating that there was no hope of provision being obtained for the bridge this session ; with reference to the Cannibal Gorge track, and other County matters, Mr Menteath writes that success in obtaining due consideratiuii for these works was impeded, every application being met with the objection by the Government that as much of the land of the County would shortly pass into the hands of the Railway Company, nothing could be done by the Government. From A. Rowe, re refusal of Council to continue subsidy to him for bridge at Hampden, and asking for a reconsideration of his claim ; the Chairman saw no reason for the re-opening of the matter; a good horse bridge had been erected two miles from Rowe's bridge, and the latter was no longer of sufficient use to entitle Rowe to subsidy; Cr. Lynch said Rowe had recently expended a considerable sum on the bridge in the full

belief that the subsidy would be continued, and neither before nor during the course of that outlay was he informed that the subsidy would be stopped ; the bridge was 500 ft long; Cr. Twohill thought Howe should have received

some reasonable not : ce of the intention

to stop the subsidy ; It was unfair to act without reasonable notice, and he thought Howe had a good claim to consideration ; lie moved that flowe's claim for i' 33 be paid, that being the sum expended in repairs ; Cr. Lynch seconded the motion ; the Chairman said llowe received a license for £1 per annum in consideration for the convenience afforded the public by him ; Cr. Gardner said he would oppose any further sum being paid to Rowe, who had been very liberally treated by the Council for years past; he moved as ail amendment that the petition be not received; the amendment was put and carried, the voting being—ayes: Crs. Duncan, Campbell, Gardner, Craig, and the Chairman ; noes: Crs. Twohill and Lynch; resolved on the' motion of Cr. Lvnch that a sum of £5 be granted to W. Hunter, Hampden, for road repairs; the contractor tor maintenance of Newton Bridge was requested to arrange with Mr Oxnam for injuries received, and was reminded that lie is responsible ; proposed by Cr. Lynch, seconded by Cr. Twohill, and carried, that be expended in repairs to road from White Horse Terrace to Matakitaki Plain ; resolved that £2 be expended for hand rail over Six-Mile Creek, Hampden ; resolved that in future contractors pay all expenses incurred in obtaining necessary signatures to contracts.