REEFTON LETTER.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 293, 2 October 1886, Page 2

REEFTON LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.) Wednesday, September 29. Perhaps the most pleasing item of news, when fair credence was given to it, that has been circulated in Broodway of late, was that of the Globe having struck a new reef carrying payable gold. Reports of new reefs being found have been heard so frequently from the Globe that an incredulous ear was at first turned to the account of its being an entirely new find, and a payable one. The Globe line o'f reef runs nearly north and south. Various blocks have lately been found ou this line, but unfortunately without sufficient gold to pay: a large amount of money lias been spent in prospecting, but the show of gold has never equalled expectations. So sick were shareholders of the whole affair that winding up the company was being discussed, when, as a forelorn hope prospecting on the north west boundary of the lease was undertaken by the man-

ager ami one mail. Here the Oriental line, running nearly east an I west enters the Globe : and this was after a little diiliculty traced, and in places uncovered, with the result that a long and large reef j has been bared, good prospects obtained with the dish, and in places an excellent show of gold in the stone can be seen. To work the ground a main shaft would require to be sunk, and the hauling gear from the old shaft shifted, but previously a trial crushing of 50 or G3 tons will be made, which can be easily obtained and taken by trolly to the receiving paddock, whence the airial line would convey it to the battery. The importance of this find to Eeefton is great, and future developments are hopefully awaited. There is nothing unusual to chronicle from the Keep-it-Dark. The supply of stone to the battery is being regularly maintained, and the stopes present no unusual appearance. The contractors lor low level are making fair headway, though without the aid of the rock-drill. The Pelton wheel for driving the air compressor not being as yet so thoroughly effective as to carry out that requirement. The contractors, Price and Co., are erecting in the Auckland Province a battery to be driven by Pelton wheels having the same pressure as the Dark's. This will give them the opportunity to solve the problem of driving with a copious supply of water but under low pressure, and improvements that will be made and required there wili be afterwards applied to the completion of their contract at this battery. The Eclipse is still driving from the bottom of the shaft. Stone has been met with, but not of a pernanent nature, in a well-defined track, and the intention is to follow this as it bears good symptoms of improving. Sinking the main shaft in the Wealth of Nations has been resumed, and it is now about 90ft. deep. The battery which is kept constantly in motion driving eight berdans which are grinding tailings accumulated during the time that the Wealth was paying large monthly dividends. The contractors for sinking main shaft in the Nil Desperandum have sunk it the required depth, and are now driving to connect with the lower level; about 12 or 14 feet is all that is required when communnication with the low level will be established. Afterwards the upper and original part of the shaft which is of smaller size will be cut down, and made uniform with the rest. Sinking for a new level will not be carried out at present, but the stone visible in the mine will be obtained and crushed.

The new rope for the Venus aerial line was landed this afternoon. Early next week crushing will be resumed and maintained now without interruption. The northern re(f is still suuk on, its underlie is to the west, and though at present of small dimensions carries a fair sprinkling of gold. TrrXheJi^Jliver mine is 18 miles from i'U wu uvcrij iotnjir roan, auu vnoicrum n V > v often visited. Attention is now being attracted towards it as the time is approaching when the great solder of all the riddles in quartz-mining, the crushing battery will be set in motion and make or mar the reputation of the mine. The iron-work for the serial tramway will be landed here soon, and the rope is reported to be in Dunedin. If the coining months are fiue rapid progress can be made, as the works have reached that stage when visible progress can be made daily. Great confidence is placed in this mine. The stone though detached and broken is reported to be remarkably rich, and when solid country is leached a permanent lode is expected. The Welcome has declared a dividend of 3/. The mine bears its usual appearStone plentiful, but not always I sufficiently so to keep the battery steadily going. Its quality, however, is Al. The Fiery is still crushing away and the returns are excellent, though not quite up to last month's yield. The stopes continue to look well, and there is abundance of stone. A start has been made with a winze from the floor of the present level to open up the block for future operations. The Just-in-Time is crushing, and although the returns so far are not up to expectations shares are firmly held. The stone in the lower level is reported as looking excellent, and of fair dimensions. When the rise is through, which will be shortly accomplished, stopiug will be commenced from the low level, and a large increase is looked for in the vield. The Reform having cut a chamber towards the northern end of the block have let the sinking of it by contract. If the stone in this resembles in richness that obtained from the south winze the payable nature of the whole block can not be doubted. Thady.