REEFTON.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 822, 8 June 1871, Page 2

REEFTON.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) June 4. Owing to the reduction of freight between G-reymouth and Reefton, the boatmen have discovered that all tie trade to the district will be diverted from the Buller and Inangahua rivers unless they follow suit. I have been incessant in my endeavours to persuade them that boats carrying two tons can easily be towed by means of horses as far as the township. An agreement has been entered into this evening between Peter Williams and a packer known as German Harry, and an attempt is to be made at once to bring the boats to Reefton, the freights being reduced to £2l per ton. I am perfectly satisfied that the Grey route cannot enter into successful competition with the Buller, and the fact of all the machinery brought here being conveyed via Westport satisfactorily demonstrates this. Certain causes are now operating to form G-reymoutli our base of supply, but eventually the entire trade must revert to Westport. There is nothing fresh to report from the reefs, and business at present is very dull. The line of reef newly discovered by Smith and party is claimed to form a continuation of Shiels's line of reef, and some doubt exists as to the extent of area to which the prospectors are entitled. The boundaries of their claim will tie defined, I believe, at the next visit of the "Warden. A rather laughable incident took place in connection with two travellers on a visit to this locality. It appears that they rested at Bentley awl French's accommodation house, but failed to take the wise precaution to hobble their steeds when turning them loose for the night. The consequence was that the horses were not to be fouud in the morning, and the discomfited travellers had to continue their journey on foot, carrying with them the now useless saddles. .On the road they ascertained that a stray horse had been met at the Blackwater, and on arriving there one of the truants was discovered. It was subsequently discovered that the other runaway had proceeded in the direction of Westport. The incident serves to illustrate the necessity of accommoda-tion-house keepers providing stablin? accommodation, and, in the absence of such facilities, that travellers should provide for tho due security of their horses.