WARDEN BIRD'S REPORT ON THE LYELL DISTRICT.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 285, 7 August 1886, Page 2

WARDEN BIRD'S REPORT ON THE LYELL DISTRICT.

A marked improvement is noticeable in reefing matters at Lyell since my last report. The principal mine, the United Alpine Company's, having completed Level No. 6, crushing operations have been proceeding steadily for the last eight or nine months, during which time £17,000 have been distributed amongst the shareholders in regular monthly dividends. The Tyr Connell Company (a leader claim) had a crushing of 46J tons of stone, which yielded 6850z. of retorted gold, and enabled the company to pay a dividend of Is. 6d. per share. A crushing of 66 tons of quartz from the Maruia lease yielded 193|0z. of gold, a result which is believed to be highly payable. The Lyell Creek Extended Company's tunnel has been driven 1,470 ft. The country is very hard, and a considerable distance remains to be driven before the Alpine reef can be intercepted. I consider this a most important work, and one which deserves the most favourable consideration of the Government, and I trust the company will receive substantial assistance by way of subsidy to enable them to complete a very expensive undertaking, which may lead to great results, beneficial not only to the district, but to the colony at large. A portion of the United Italy lease is let on tribute, and the remainder is being worked by the company. The New South Walos Company have suspended operations, owing to the refusal of the Government to reduce their rent, and it is doubtful whether they will proceed with the undertaking.

Very little is being done on other quartz leases, of which a considerable number is held, A company has been formed and registered for the purpose of prospecting for alluvial deposits underneath an extensive tract of country near Lyell known as Manuka Flat, Fair progress has been made, and a tunnel has been driven about 400 ft.; but the company's operations have been somewhat retarded owing to the promised subsidy from tne Government not having been received. The undertaking is a very praiseworthy one, and, if successfulf will be of immense benefit to the district, and afford employment to a large number of miners.

I have recently visited the Owen" reefs* and from what I saw and heard I beheve a large reefing district will soon be developed in that locality. My time was rather short, but when there I made a hurried inspection of several of the leases—viz., the Buhner Creek Extended, Uno, Wakatu, Golden Crown, and Enterprise. On the first two mentioned, a considerable amount of work has been done, the Buhner Creek Company having various tunnels and cross-cuts, amounting in the aggregate to something like 650ft< There is a well-defined reef about 4fit. 6in. thick, which is believed by the prospectors, Messrs Buhner and Ellery, to be payable. I was shown a pro-