REEFTON.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 966, 30 April 1872, Page 2

REEFTON.

(from ottr own correspondent.) How il'is that Westport is behindhand as compared with Greymouth in all its doings in relation to the Inangahua is no very mysterious matter to solve. There is by far too much of the red-tape element about "Westport. The last affair in which the two towns started on equal basis was tho mail service. Both contracts were to be tendered for at the same time, and with what result ? The first mail between Greymouth and Reefton left the former place on Monday last, and as yet there is no word of the additional mail via "Westport. Mr Baylis, I hear has obtained the contract for the biweekly service from Greymouth ; and in his hands the duty will be efficiently performed. Stir up your Westport constituents to a little more prompt and energetic action in this and other public matters. Our township is rapidly expanding, and the substantial buildings now in course of erection, or already com. pleted, give satisfactory proof that our business men have some reason for the faith that is in them as to the permanent prosperity of the district: In the Broadway this is specially noticeable. Messrs Slattery and Sutherland have nearly completed their large two story hotel, which will form a conspicuous feature in tho street architecture. Kelly and Lempfert's hotels are also ready for occupation, and the business places of several leading houses. Among others T. Field's, Graves & Fleming's, Patterson Bros., J. Ching's, Williams and Gessing's, Shepherd and Co.'s, T. Cato's, and many others. In fact the Broadway is rapidly developing as an important business centre. In other parts of the town an equal activity is evidenced in building operations. As a contrast to this may be instanced the exceeding dilatoriness displayed by the government in providing proper public buildings. The immediate necessity of action is becoming every day more imperative. The gaol for instance is simply the merest-make-shift. In one small cell, male and female prisoners, lunatics, drunkards, casual offenders, and rogues and vagabonds of every degree, are huddled indiscriminately together; and when this den becomes full to overflowing, the police quarters; another Bmall room barely twelve feet square, has to do duty also as a lock-up. The per- i petual discomfort and utter subversion of all proper discipline and control, consequent upon such state of things, may bo bettor imagined than described. I

I hear that constable Hunter who was recently removed from Westport to Reofton has resigned the service; probably influenced by scant pay and exceeding discomfort. The business of the E. M. and Warden's Courts keeps our Warden busily employed. The following figures represent the total cases and applications disposed of, up to the 31st ultimo : R, M. cases, 38 ; Warden's cases, 145; Applications, 1071; mining leases, 105; agricultural leases, 50; coal leases, G. Under the applications for agricultural leases, au area of about 4500 acres has been applied for. The Groldfields' revenue during the quarter amounted to £3614 18s 6d, exclusive of deposits on leases, amounting to £24 15s, and the total revenue is stated at £6029 18s. 6d. A great outcry .is made for increased facilities for transport of goods from the seaboard. Under the present slow and intermittent arrangements we stand a chance of being half starved before the winter is over. In fact storekeepers begin to find out that the only way to get goods promptly delivered is to personally convoy their merchandise. Mr Grissinge, of the firm of Williams and GHssinge, who are about to commence business here, did this lately, and by dint of careful shepherding of his cargo of cases, got them all safely landed here within a week from leaving Westport. In mining matters I may note that at Larry's the prospectors claim on Potter's line of reef has been now registered, and a company will bo floated with a capital of £15,000, in £3 shares, under the name of the Caledonian Quartz Mining Company. Arrangements have been alreadynearly concluded for the erection of stampers and water-wheel. Shares are still maintaining a steady marketable value. A quarter share on Adam Smith's line has just been sold for £llO or £l2O, and other transactions at equal rates are mentioned.