REEFTON.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 910, 6 January 1872, Page 2

REEFTON.

(from OUR OWN correspondent). Reefton, January 2. Christmas has brought its usual festivities. We had sports here in the shape of running, jumping, &e. Amongst the winners of prizes were Mr Newton, of Murray Creek, and Mr Itobert Craig, who won the highest prize for running. This gave rise to a private match, in which Craig was defeated by Liddle. The highest prize given was £3. There were also juvenile races here, in one of which a boy named Creed fell over a dog, and broke his thigh, the plucky little fellow assuring the bystanders that he could beat his opponents but for the accident. The inhabitants subscribed £25 on the spot for him. Shiels's party have been working throughout the holidays, and have got nearly the whole of their machinery on the ground, and are now busy getting ready the framework of the machinery. M'Lean's party are busy cutting a track to take up their boiler. There have been two rushes here last week. One of them is to a place at the head of Murray Creek, where it is supposed a new line of reef has been discovered. A number of leases have been applied for on it. The other rush took place to Lanky's G-ully, about two miles from Murray Creek. There is a large body of stoue exposed on the surface, in which gold is plainly visible. The ground is principally taken up in leases. The discovery of those two lines gives to this remarkable district seven distinct lines of reefs. The Anderson's Creek Mining Company, have made arrangements with Messrs Findlay, Haworth, and Cornfoot, of Hokitika, to erect within six months, suitable crushing machinery, together with wire tramway, &c, on the following conditions, The company to give one hundred paid up scrip, and the full outlay, with 12* per cent, added. The scrip in this company are now at par, having risen within the last month from £2 10s to £5.

A great deal of misapprehension exists as to where the future city of the district is to be, and there appears to be some doubt in the minds of people at a distance as to the best pJace for business sites. There cannot be tie slightest doubt but that Reefton is the most suitable place in the district. It possesses a most extensive flat, stretching away to the left hand branch of the Inangahua, nearly three miles distant, and there is an unlimited supply of wood and water close at hand. Some speculators have taken up half acre residence areas under miner's rights at the foot of Murray Creek. They, to make capital out of their allotments, tell visitors to this district, that the town will be at Murray Creek. Tour correspondent thinks that it would be injustice to the people of Reefton, who have invested their capital in erecting large substantial buildings, to encourage the formation of another town so close to them. Another difficulty would arise. The only road from Reefton to Murray Creek for packing goods is up the river bed, which becomes impassable after a few houra' rain. Besides these difficulties, there is only a very narrow strip of land available for building purposes.