BULLER AND LYELL.
(FROJt OTJE OWJN' COBBESPOKJJENT.) Carroll and Cairn's Little Wonder machine was set in motion last Tuesday and is now crushing. The machine site is now thoroughly secured agaiust all future accidents from land slips. We have had several distinguished visitors up this way lately, including the new Provincial Secretary aud Treasurer, who seems to set fatigue at defiance, so quickly docs he perform his journeys. Ho was well received in the Bullcr Valley, and great things arc expected to he done for the S. W. Goldfields. But it is difficult to see what improvements can be made out of an empty exchequer, with provincial revenues mortaged. The only feasible course which seems open for the new Executive to adopt is to sell the waste lands to the settlers and form tracks with the money, for it is only by opening up the unexplored portion of the provineo that both miners and agriculturists will obtain an opportunity of developing its wealth. An attempt was made here lately to get up a ball, and everything but music and fair sex was in readiness. To make up the deficiencies, the proprietor proceeded some miles distant. The road men mustered in strong force in expec - tation of being able to indulge iu the
pleasure of the dance. But alas the night wore on apace and neither the ladies or musicians made their appearance. Such a state of things would try the nerves of even a Good Templar. The meu disgusted with the turn affairs had taken, consoled themselves by liquoring up freely and this led to forcible discussion of imaginary grievances, and the usual method of settling them out of Court was then adopted. One of the combatants disappeared and a search was made, but in vain, and serious doubts were hazarded as to his suicidal intention, but he emerged from under the table, two hours after the heavy fighting was over.
The road round the hill between Christy's and the Junction is finished, and is now opened for traffic, and the contractor has nearly completed sections 1 and 3.
Intending travellers by the Euller road had better provide themselves with a canoe, as a portion of the new contract formation is what might be termed a mud creek, and it is in such a wretched state that the average speed attained in getting through is one mile per hour, more or less. The mailman's horse fell down the Buller bank last week at Granges point where the track gave way, under the horse's feet, precipitating the animal 40 feet down the bank. It was rescued with some difficulty by Messrs Fox and party who are working on the road.
It behoves the Road Board to have the bridges on Buller road repaired, as several of the bridges are in a most dangerous condition. Mr Ivess lately tabled a motion in the Provincial Council to the effect that all agricultural lessees should be given the right to purchase the fee simple of their land at any time during the term of their lease without coinpetition, at the upset price. The motion was carried and only awaits the assent of the General Assembly to make it law. It is a law that will permanently settle the country, for it is the strongest inducement yet offered to intending settlers to become owners of the soil. And Mr Ivess the member for the Ihangahua Valley, deserves the thanks of the settlers for ! introducing the motion.
MINING ITEMS
[tnangahua herald.] Anderson's. — In the upper level, at the present moment, the body of atone is shown along the line of reef for a distance of -100 feet, varying from threo to five feet in thickness. The depth of the reef has been proved for a distance of IGO feet below the abovementioned level by means of an incline shaft, wherein stone is said to exist of a highly payable quality, and in places seveu feet in thickness ; the average thickness of the reef from the top of the shaft to the present low level tunnel in course of construction is nearly four feet, and on Tuesday last the reef was again intercepted in this tunnel, there being still some 70 feet to drive before the shaft will be reached. From this it be confidently calculated that a block of stone •100 feet in length and 160 feet in depth is already known to exist. It is further known that there arc still 700 feet of ground at the northern end of the mine as yet entirely unprospected. Wealth of JNations.—The yield of amalgam from the tables last week was 811 ounces ; a final clearing up of this month's crushing wiil take place at the end of thia week, and froiu the weekly returns of the plates a good dividend may be expected. The con tractors in the low tunnel will conclude their work in a few days. During the last week a number of thin quartz veins, intermixed with gug, has been met with, denoting the reef close at hand. Energetic.—The boiler was landed at the machine site at the early part of the week, and is already fixed in its.finul position, The stamper boxes, which were the most difficult portion, have been successfully landed at the end of the coal tramway.
[LYELL ARGUS.] ExcEiSIOE. —The rock at this claim is now becoming a little softer, and the driving is being steadily continued. Omental. —On Friday last this party broke through into the shaft, at the bottom of which' a leader was cut last April. They are now driving on the leader, which shows good gold. The leader was thin where cut by the shaft, but is already making thicker. LyeMi Creek!, —The leader struck in the uprise at this winze still continues to present a very favourable appearance. It is feared that bad air will prevent them driving much further, in which event a new uprise will have to be commenced. Monte Chiusto.—A new leader was cut in this company's low-level, tunnel last week, but no gold was visible to a casual observer. Mauuta.—Blocking out is being proceeded with at the middle and upper
levels, and a large quantity of stone is again waiting for the mill.
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Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1190, 3 July 1874, Page 4
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1,042BULLER AND LYELL. Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1190, 3 July 1874, Page 4
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