LYELL.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1043, 4 February 1873, Page 2

LYELL.

(FBOM OXTB- OWN" COBBEBPOKDENT ) Jan. 28. After visiting tbe reefo, I returned fully (satisfied that this is, without exception one of the beat reefing districts in New Zealand, payable gold having been struck for a long distance north and south. No. 2 and 8 North, Maloney's Line as it is termed, but which is nothing more than a continuation of the William Tell, Alpine, and Excelsior Companies, have this day struck the' main reef, and I am informed bj good authority that the reef is about four feet thick ; thej hare also got several payable leaders. No. 1 North are alio tracing the leaders from Maloney's prospecting claim. The prospectors, Maloney and party, have driven a tunnel about thirty feet, and are now busily engaged building substantial huts, fully determined to settle down and work the claim. No. 1 South also looks well, they hare traced the leaders from the Monto Christo and Maruia claims. The Monto Christo is situated on the north boundary of the Lyell Creek Company, and Lam informed they have discovered leaders equal, if not superior, to any yet taken from the Little Wonder. The Lyell Creek Company at present are at a stand still, the contract for sinking being finished. They will have to sink a few feet lower, but have not yet called for tenders. I consider the above claim proved beyond doubt by the Little Wonder on the southern boundary and the Monto Christo and other claims north. The Oriental Company have accepted a fresh tender, and the contractors are starting work to-day. This claim is also supposed to have some of the leaders running a through portion of the t ground. The Little Wonder have not started to work since their last crushing. O'Brian and Blair have commenced their new shaft on the LittleWonder boundary, and expect in a few , days to bring a few tons of stone tor. grass that will give them a similar return to that obtained by Cairns and Carroll. The Alpine Company are at present crushing, and immediately they have finished the Excelstor Co. will start, as they are now fully prepared. In my next I will give you particulars about the claim situated south of the Excelsior, at present I am rather pushed for time. Several new buildings are in course of erection in Lyell township. In giving you the news from the reefs, I forgot to mention that Mr Thomas O'Brien is building extensive premises on the boundary of the Alpine and Little Wonder claims, which will be a great convenience for persons desirous of spending a day or two looking round the reefs. Travellers will find his table second to none in the district. I speak from experience, having placed my carcass before a good spread on his table, at the sound of the " horn," for the past few days I am sorry to inform you that a serious robbery baa taken place here. Early on Sunday morning the premises of Frederick UHmer, baker, in the Lyell township, was broken into, and a box carried away containing about £7O in gold, nuggets, and notes. Immediately the affair became known, a search was made, and tbe box discovered a few yards - from tbe house, but as a natural consequence minus the gold and cash. Up to tbe present time there has been no clue to the perpetrators, and the chances are very much against him ever recovering a shilling.