LYELL.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1038, 17 January 1873, Page 2

LYELL.

fPROXI OUR OWN COEEESPONDENT.) The holidays are about over, and miners are again settling down to work, after enjoying themselves for the past fortnight. The Lyell sports was a Very tame affair, and unworthy of particularising, consequently those that could afford it made tracks for Westport, Eeefton, and the Upper Buller Races. The latter I am informed Las been quite a success, and their prices bare thrown Westport and Charleston in the shade. Each event was well coutested, butnot so close as to leave a doubt on t'n judges mind as to which <horse was first. The Little Wonder is busily engaged crushing at the Alpine Battery, and will scrape up in a few days. The ripple and plates look Al, and nothing under 15 ounces to the ton is talked of. The Golden Crown is looking up. The manager, Mr Thomas Blair, crushed (251b5.) twenty five pounds weight of stone, and it yielded lOdwts 6grs. The stone, I am informed, was taken out of the paddock, and not picked, but I am strongly under the impression that be struck a rich patch. The directors have called a meeting to make arrangements about machinery. The William Tell Company are getting ont a few tons of stone from the main reef for a trial crushing. The men working in the claim feel quite sanguine of good returns. I have not heard whether the Lyell Creek Company's contract is yet finished ■; also the Oriental. 1 think the contractors have been keeping up the holidays, which they consider is about the correct thing once in twelve months. Mr Fennel] has opened his newpremises with a splendid stock of grocery and hardware, and liko the rest he is only *' waiting for the crush* ings," to drive a big trade. Zaunetti's new billiard table arrived all safe, and is now in good working order. The Lyell township is rather small to support two tables at the present time, but like our neighbours we must freeze it out and wait for the crushings.