REEFTON.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1015, 22 October 1872, Page 2

REEFTON.

(from our own correspondent.) Oct. 10. The event that has given the greatest satisfaction in this district during the past week, is the restoration of a Vogel Ministry, or at least an administration in which the present and former Treasurer takes a leading part. There is every reason to believe that he is sincere in his promises and good wishes for the better governance of the West Coast, and it is greatly to be hoped that the member for this part of the colony will agree on some scheme or other by which the Southwest Goldfields may be rescued from the clutches of the Curtisian old man of the sea, who has so long and so sadly afflicted them. The only doubt seems to be whether if the session is brought to as early a close as Mr Waterhouse has indicated, there will be time for the proper consideration

of a measure that will meet the necessities of the case. Any change however be it what it may, will be welcomed on the.se goldtields, and that such will bo effected is the earnest prayer of all. The Lyell goldfield is at present attracting a large amount of attention here, and many of those who have capital at command are likely to turn their attention to investments in that quarter, as to the extraordinary richness of the stone got there, there can bo no question, and a great many specimens full of gold are being shown about lteefton. Such yields must very shortly attract a very large population, and there is every reason to believe that before long, payable reefs will be found rucniug from here to the Lyell, and that a vast belt of auriferous country both quartz and alluvial will be opened up to the great advantage of both districts. The reef 3 in this district are I am

happy to say looking up wonderfully, and though at present we have had no stone turning out 10f to the ton, we have had a uuuiher of crushinga from various lines, and there has not been " a duffer " yet .with the single exception of the unhappy Westland company. It is singular too that the claims on either side of Ehody Ryan's (the Westland) as well as those for some distance along the same reef have proved highly payable. The "Westland Company never had the reef at all but only a broken leader, whilst the other claims have struck a well defined and undoubted reef, with a very large body of stone, The late workings of these claims has greatly raised the Kelly line in popular estimation. A short time ago, shares in either of its claims went begging, now they will realise fair market prices. The Golden tlill Company contracted to do certain work for the Westland in the erection of the battery ma chinery, and payment was to be made by crushing 500 tone of stone for them. This is now proceeding; somewhere about 120 tons having passed under the stampers, and the whole will be completed in about three weeks. The plates, up to the present time, look remarkably well, and there is every probability that the very moderate estimate of the yield that the proprietors had formed will be very largely exceeded. This claim I may add is tho very next one to the condemned Westland. On the same Hue the luglewood in a trial crushing of twenty seven tons got 53ozs, the United Band of hope got 27dwts to the ton, and the All Nations and Victoria have got out some excellent stone. The latter company are negociating with the Westland, to crush a parcel of 300 tons after they have finished the Golden Hill stone, and other claims are endeavoring also to make similar arrangements, indeed the Westland batteries have as much cut out for them as will last a twelvemonth. Tho Ajax Company will shortly crush for the Golden Fleece. (Paddy Hunt's) on Shiel's line; arrangements to that end having been entered iuto. Anderson's will start on Monday next, and there is every prooabiiity of great success attending the enterpise. They ' have been most careful in leaving s nothing undone to render their plant thoroughly efficient, and working • by water power, and consequently , very cheaply, a small yield will pay the ; shareholders handsomely. At the same time the mineral that they have ; got out shows well, and will probably run from H- to 2ozs. to the tou. A grand opening fete if I may so term it, ; is to be given on the claim, on Saturday next, and it is to be a grand affair. The other mining news is unimportant. At Boatman's there are some excellent claims, but as yet they have no machinery. The Ju&t in Time claim there, has been thrown into scrip, and a meeting is to held here on the 2nd of November, for the appointment of Directors, to make rules and also enter into arrangements for procuring machinery. At Larry's, work in the Prospectiug claim sadly hangs fire, owing to disputes between the working and the other shareholders, in reference to machinery. The former think that the latter should undertake the whole responsibility, whilst the latter think all should contribute alike, and hence the hitch. It is to be hoped that this state of affairs will soon be put an end to, for the claim is one of the best in the district, and it is a pity to see it lying comparatively unworked. From Eainy Creek, good accounts arrive, and the prospectors expect very shortly to come to terms for the supply of machinery. The weather till yesterday has been specially fine and summer like, but broke yesterday, and heavy rain fell last night aud during the whole day. This was a very acceptable change, if we do not get too much of it, for water was wanted greatly by the alluvial miners as well as gardeners whose name is now legion in the in the district. A great deal of ground is being cultivated and vegetable of all kinds grow splendidly. I am sorry to have to record a most extraordinary mortality amongst children of tender age, say from a few months to about five years of a"e within the last few weeks a great many have died of some disease that seems to baffle our local medical skill. It is neither whooping cough nor croup, but a kind of combination of both, and has proved sadly fatal to the little ones attacked. Possibly the change in the weather may effect a beneficial change in their health. As may be readily imagined, parents are greatly alarmed at the epidemic, for so it may be termed.

The new Court House is completed and has been handed oyer to the authorities. Business was done in it to-day for the first time, but it was of triflling importance, though the fact of the new budding being used attracted a large mimber of persons. Though small it will probably be large enough to meet the requirements of the place for some time to come. Apropos of Courts we are to have a District Court here, and Judge Harvey is expected up here very shortly, whether to hold a Court or only complete arrangements is not at present known. An amateur concert in aid of the Roman Catholic Chapel that has been recently erected here, was held on Friday evening last, and was a great success. People of all denominations joii.ed, not only in getting up the entertainment, hut filliui; the building at s*. per head. The result was that over £SO was netted, and at the opening service on Sunday last, conducted by Father Pertius, £2l more was collected there. Sums aided by subscriptions promised from private persons, have reduced the chapel debt to somewhere about £'SO, which the Committee fully expect to wipe off in a few mouths. A resident Catholic clergyman will shortly be appointed to the district, and will have his head quarters here. A woman named McCulloch alias Maw kins, was nearly drowned on Monday night last, she was very intoxicated and in that state attempted to ford the Inangalma opposite to the township,' but when she had got in a few yards she fell, and, but for the opportune assistance of the ferryman, must have been swept into deep water and inevitably drowned.

The need of a bank is greatly felt here, for at present it is almost impossible to get a cheque changed, all cash apparently having most mysteriously departed. I know of one instance where a £2 cheque of a well-known and highly respectable Holutika legal gentleman was offered for 305., and the greatest inconvenience is occasioned to all classes through the absence of bank facilities. It was said that the Bank of Australia, being the only one not bound by compact, was about to establish a branch or an agency, but they have as yet mads no sign. If they do they will transact a great deal of business without doubt, and would prove a boon to the district. Things on the reefs are brisk, but in the town very dull indeed, and business is in a deplorably slow condition, though there is every reason to hope that it will shortly take a turn for the better. The sooner it does so the better, for otherwise Judge Harvey will have ample employment in his bankruptcy jurisdiction.