THE WANGAPEKA REEFS.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 637, 26 March 1870, Page 2

THE WANGAPEKA REEFS.

"Wangapeka has been visited by a correspondent of the Nelson Mail, who gives the following description of its present condition : The new township of Gladstone is situated on the junction of Blue Creek and Nuggetty Creek with the Rolling River. At present the population is about 250 or 300. All the business sites are pegged oft', and the township is rapidly being cleared of bush. . The Court-house, now in course of erection, is situated on a small terrace at the entrance of the town, from which it is separated by asmall creek. There are several stores and accommodation houses, a skittle alley, and a large number of tents on the flat land, which is not very extensive, but will probably be sufficient for the requirements of the district for some time to come. The town is pleasantly situated, getting the sun early in the morning and until late in tho afternoon, nor have residents there any cause to complain of the price of provisions, good mutton being retailed at sixpence per pound ; bread is also made and sold at 9d the 21b loaf, and wild pigs are plentiful on the plains. Culliford's reef, which is reached by a rough track along the ridge, is situated on a spur between Blue and Nuggetty creeks, and from a high bluff near it a good view of the neighboring gullies may be obtained. "Work has already been commenced upon it, the reef being uncovered and cleared of roots; men are also busily employed upon the claims to the north and south of the prospector's ; huts are being erected, and drives made into the hill, arid all parties seem sanguine of success. On the opposite side of the spur in Nuggetty creek, another reef has been discovered, supposed by some to be a continuation of Culliford's ; here, too, claims have been pegged off, and work commenced. Other reefs have been discovered in the district and claims taken up on them, and we may soon hope to hear of their value being tested. On the whole the prospects are encouraging ; there is evidently plenty of " stone," but most of the parties in occupation are, from the long delay which has taken place, short of funds, and consequently it may be some time before they are in a position to obtain the machinery necessary to produce any large returns. Shares may be obtained at present at a low figure, many parties being willing to sell, not from any want of confidence in the richness of the field, but from the absence of funds wherewith to carry on the works.