REEFTON.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1017, 29 October 1872, Page 2

REEFTON.

(from our OWtf correspondent) October 23.

Now that the political crisis is over, and a Vogel Ministry is once more in power, a lull has taken place, and the public feeling that was recently aroused is gradually dying away. At the same time it is very evident that, thanks to the fighting for power in the Legislature, the West Coast baa no hope of better government for at least a year to come. The clay vessel in swimming down the stream with the pots of brass has come to grief, and even the much promising Vogel, w!;o, after being deposed, and prior to his restoration, declared that should he return to office, he should think it his duty to push some bill, having for its object the better government of Westlaud north and south, has proved that the oft quoted couplet, The devil wa3 sick, the devil a saint -would be, The devil got well, the devil a saint wa3 he; is remarkably applicable to the Colonial Treasurer in the present case, and his failure to keep his promises in reference to the Coast, has induced a strong feeling of distrust where recently was perfect faith. The Southwest Goldfields, it is true, are to have a in the pan in the shape of £50,000 for public works, extended over two years, but again it is doubtful through whose hands it will pass in its expenditure. If it is entrusted to provincial fingers a very slight shower of the welcome gold will reach the distant districts as " the old man of the sea " may be trusted to have it laid out as near as possible to his much loved and favoured Nelson, The withdrawal or defeat of all measures in the Assembly calculated to benefit this part of the colony ha 3 given great dissatisfaction, and any improvement on the past order of things is regarded as all but hopeless. It does not seem probable that anything will be done for the Coast this session, and great blame is attributto its members, who, instead of combining for the common good oftheir constituents differed and quarrelled amongst themselves and let the golden opportunity slip. The two obstructionists, Messrs O'Conor and White, have chiefly aided in bringing the present unsatisfactory state of things, and public gratitude to mis-vc-presentatives should be proportionate.

Turning away from what cannot be

other than an unpleasant subject, it ib satisfactory to be able to say that reefing matters are perceptibly improving. Many claims that were regarded as comparative " duffers," have turned out good stone at trial crushings, and confidence is every week gradually reviving. The line chiefly affected is Kelly's, which was very lately completely tabooed. Shares in any claim on it after the miserable fiasco made by the Westland company, could scarcely be eiven away, they "certainly could not be sold at the most absurdly low prices. A great change for the better has taken place now, since several claims have not only got the true reef but have tested their stone, and found it beyond all doubt to be auriferous.

The Golden Hill claim (the very next one to the Westland, by the way) are still engaged in crushing 500 tons at the latter's machine. Up to the time of writiug they have passed about 159 or IGO tons under the stampers, and the plates are, if any thing, improving in appearance. There can be no doubt as to the yield being nearly an ounce to the ton, which is more than the most sanguine of the shareholders expected. The mineral got out has a very singular appearance. There is not a speck of gold visible either to the naked eye or under a glass, but there arc thin pinky streaks in it which contain very fine gold, so fine indeed that the greatest care is necessary to save it. The result, whatever it be, will give the shareholders a dividend, for the crushing will not cost anything, the company having some time ago, rendered assistance to the Westland, in the erection of the latter's machinery, in return for which it was arranged that they should have five hundred tons crushed gratuitously. At Anderson's on Saturday last, there was a preliminary fete and ball prior to work being fairly commenced on Monday, but »the affair was by no means a success owing to the ignorance of the shareholder* who were entrusted with the arrangements. At the same time the fact of the company having completed their machinery and got all ready for work, is very satisfactory to announce, for there is little doubt of its success, and the district will be greatly benefited by it. Though by no means cm fait in etiquette, the persons by whom the machinery has been put up, and those by whom the mine has been opeued out, have done their work well, and it will be strange indeed if they do not reap a rich reward. The machinery is driven by a waterwheel instead of steam, by which a considerable saving will be affected. The stone they have got is of very-fair quality, and obtainable in any quantity ; in addition to which the arrangements for its transfer from the mine to the machine are perfect. The want of more machinery is greatly felt in the district, and any speculator feeling inclined to put up plant and crush solely for the public, may gain huge profits. There are fully a dozen eligible sites surrounded by claims the owners of which will gladly pay high rates for crushing, but have not inean3 to obtain machinery for themselves.

The affairs of the Westland company are still unsettled, and an effort is being made to set aside the order for winding up. The creditors are all anxious that operations should be resumed, and that another attempt to find the reef should be made. It is very clear that this can be successfully achieved by sinking, for the claims on either side of them have got the reef, and what is more, payable stone, and there can be no doubt that it runs through the Westland's ground, though there is a heavy dip which will occasion some trouble in reaching the stone.

The Ajax company are getting out stone for themselves, but in the meantime are crushing for the, Golden Pleece (Paddy Hunts), and the result promises to be equal to any yet obtained.

The other claims on Shiels, Adam Smith's, and Kelly's line do no call for any special mention, but work, I may say, is proceeding vigorously on all.

From Rainy creek, Larry's, and Boatman's, there is not much to report. At the former place the prospectors have advertised for tenders for the Bupply of machinery, but have postponed opening them for a month longer than was originally arranged. At Boatman's the Just in Time claim has struck the reef next to Thompson's and shares are now buoyant.

Thomson's is also looking well, and the same may be said of all the claims in this district. At Larry's things are in statu quo comparatively, there is nothing whatever new. The Church of England denomination are about to secure the services of the Rev. Thomas Plavell as resident minister, and he is expected here very shortly. There is at present neither house nor church for him, but these will no doubt shortly be supplied by the congregation. A reserve of two sections iu the township is secured, and a suburban lot of fifty acres on the Westport Road as glebe land. The Wesleyans are building a small, but rather pretty chapel, and the minister in charge, the Rev. Mr M'Lean, has been indefatigable in his work. The Catholics opened a school here on Monday last under the immediate superintendency of the Rev. Pather Pertius.

In tho courts during the past week there has been nothing of serious moment. The Resident Magistrate left yestirday to hold courts at the

Lyell and Christy's, and will be away some days. We are also expecting a visit from hia Honor Judge Harvey, in connection with the District Court, shortly to be opened here. The establishment of this court will be a great convenience to those who, in the polite phraseology used in certain announcements *' are unable to meet their engagements," and unless matters brighten here considerably soon, that class will be numerous before long. The Lyell has great attractions for the many here, and many threaten to leave for that part, the wonderful stone recently got there proving an irresistible attraction. There can be no doubt that that district has a great future before it and that only recently it has had a fair chance.