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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 574, 30 October 1869, Page 2

The flood in the Buller yesterday was the heavier than any since the great flood of last year, and perhaps equal to it. Fortunately the current has not set on to the bank as it did last year, except near the National Hotel, and no damage has been done. The weather at present is " something awful." Writing of the Wangapoka quartz-reef, a Nelson correspondent says : —" Everything is in a fix about the reef. There is no use anyone coming from the West Coast at present." Another correspondent writes: —" It is impossible to say how the Wangapeka is going to turn out. Mr Broad is here, and is at present with the Superintendent. There is a reef there certainly. Ido not myself like the specimens brought down by Mr Burnett, the quartz being white and unkindly looking. All is in a stato of ferment until the question of title shall have been declared." A Nelson correspondent, as a result of reading a recent article in these columns, has arrived at the conclusion that " Mr Curtis ought to represent Bedstead Gully." Application has been made to register another gold-mining company, which proposes to commence operations in Moonlight Creek. The name is " The Early Grey Dawn Company, Registered;" the nominal capital is £3500, in 700 shares of .£5 each ; the office of the company is in Christchurch ; and the name of the manager is Harold Henry do Bourbel. With the exception of thirty, all the shares ate held in Christchurch. The Resident Magistrate at Greymouth, Mr Revell, has been hastily summoned to Christchurch, in consequence of the sudden death of his father. The tides at Hokianga on the 4th were four and a half feet over the spring level. The bonded stores were flooded. There was also a high tide at the Bay of Islands on the 5 th. With the exception of a little drainage, the graving dock at Port Chalmers has been pumped dry, and the excavation has commenced. The coffer-dam keeps perfectly tight. The bakers of Greymonth have raised the price of the four-pound loaf to Is 3d, in consequence of the rise in the price of flour. All the machinery for the Moonlight Quai tz Mining Company has now been conveyed to the claim, which has been a work of considerable difficulty. The base for the heavy machinery has been laid down, and the machinery itself is partly erected. The large water-wheel is nearly completed, and it is expected that the first crushing will take place about Christmas. m The Southern Cross of October 16th says : —" The wonderful Long Drive leader has produced another lot of specimens, although but a short time has elapsed since the last. About the usual quantity was treated—33olbs.—at the Kuranui Company's battery, and the retorting was completed on Thursday night, resulting in 1272 ozs. of gold —a very fine sample, as, on being melted at the Bank of New Zealand works, it turned out 12300z5. 15dwts. 12grs." It has been suggested that, in the event of the gentlemen who have been named not coming forward for the Council, the miners should have their distinctive representative, and Mr John Braithwaite—a most eligible man—has been mentioned.