REEFTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 64, 14 March 1873, Page 2

RE EFT ON.

(From our own Correspondent.") Crushing operations throughout the entire district are suspended, owing to the continued drought. Murray Creek and other tributaries in the neighbourhood of the reefs are completely dried up, i.e., not sufficient water to fossick with. This has been the longest spell of dry weather we have had since the opening of the S. W. Goldfields. Large heaps of quartz are stacked in the different paddocks, awaiting the starting of the machines. There has been no clue discovered to the robbery of copper plates from Anderson's machine, but it is the general impression that the robbers were well acquainted with the run of the machine. The District Court was opened here on the sth instant; there was only one criminal case set down for bearing — Eegina v. Wilkinson, a fraudulent bankrupt. There were several counts against the prisoner, who was defended by Mr Hazelden. During the empanelling of the jury an incident occurred. The panel consisted of 33 jurors, six of whom were challenged by the Crown and ten by the prisoner. The Crown, on being asked to show cause why the jurors who were ordered to stand by were indifferent to the Queen, Mr PiU, the Crown Prosecutor, alleged that three out of the six were insolvent, which objection was held good by his Jlohor, and admitted by the counsel for the prisoner. The Crown also objected to one Martin O'Brian, on the ground that he was a partner of the prisoner's wife's sister's husband. Two triers were appointed to decide whether O'Brian was not indifferent to the Queen, and they found

For continuation of news see fourth page. 1

that it was undesirable that he should take his seat in the case at issue; he was therefore ordered to stand aside, and the Sheriff then proceeded to call a tales. Ultimately the jury returned a verdict of Not Gruilty, and the prisoner was discharged. His Honor the Superintendent of the Province has been in our midst for the past two days, and although he held no public meeting, it is evident from the plausible replies he made to the numerous deputations that waited upon him, that he is desirous of effecting many desired changes. His Honor was ' full of smiles and courtesy and with a generous band he scattered a few crumbs among the hungry fishes of central Broadway, probably hoping that after many days they should return again tenfold. Mr Curtis left this morning for the Lyell, where he has promised ; to address the inhabitants on matters that are likely to affect their district at the ensuing session of the Provincial Council. Mr Curtis has on the present occasion promised a few favors to the inhabitants of this dissatisfied portion of his Province and it is not all improbable that he will shortly be asking trifles at our hands. It will be a trifle he'll get.