THE LYELL.

Inangahua Times, 21 January 1880, Page 2

THE LYELL.

» (FeOM OUR OWN COBBE'PONDENT.) Mining throughout the district bas received a check within the last two months owing to a variety of onuses. The late stormy weather having caused a series of floods in the Lyell und other creelrs which has prevented the alluvial, miners from having their usual Cfiristmas washing up. Tiiis drawback has keen more than counterbalanced by the discovery of two lines of new reefs, v'z . one at New Creek, which shows gold equal to none in thel pisiriot, and ( ihe: other about a mile and a»half above the" Lyell township discovered by Messrs jPantelli and Conradgon, whoge persevering energy will probably be rewarded by a homeward bound 'pile, as the r6bt, which is abcut a foot and a«half thick, has yielded one ounce and a quarter to the ton from a trial crushing of ten tons. Three leases have been applied for on this line of reef, which is si<u*ted cm* veniently near the old Golden Crown battery. The other line, viz., that of New Creek was discovered 'some mon'hs past by Mr Richard Shiel well known in Keefton. Two leases* frafve ' been appliedfor on it, comprising ihirty*thre§ acres... The proprietors in order to test the genninesi of the find determined to put in a lone tunnel to further prospect the reef, which work was undertaken by Messrs Burns and party who agreed to give six months lalor for a Cer'airi inter* est in the claim. No surer test could be given as to the genuineness of the speculation than men giving so many months labor without any other remuneration than getting a share each in ihe lease The want of a pack track from Lyell to New Creek has been the cause of the non-deyelopment of this district. The Buller County Council, although receiving considerable revenue from the Lyell district in the shape of gold duty, «eems to ignore the existence of this part of the County, and will not even spend a few pounds in cutting even a bush track to enable the miners to pack out their tucker — quite a contrast between the trpntment we receive from Buller and that of your County Council to the Hampden district. There is some talk of petitioning to have Lyell inaugurated with your County. The change would be most gladly welcomed if it could be effected. Messrs Brennan, Trennery, and Wil* liams, visited the Hampden district this week, accompanied by the County Eneineer fj in«pect the County roads. This is about the most practical way the Pubic Works Committee could adopt of showing their usefulness, and of also finding nut the County Engineer has adopted a practical and straightforward course in the disputes existing between the party bold'ng the contract to finish the Long Ford road, and the workmen employed on the contract. Messrs Brennan (County Chairman), and County Engineer, also inspected that portion of road at lower end of County, situated below the Inangahua Junct ; on. This part of the County should receive some consideration from the County Council, as the district is known to be auriferous, and a few bush tracks cut at right ancles with the river would enable oarties to prospect the interior. Messis Councillors, look after the country, and the town will mind i'eelf. The Alpine Company found it neces«ary to cancel the contract for supplying the battery with stone. The company after a temporary suspension bavi. again resumed work, A. landslip occurred at the Little Wonder battery, stopping the machine, which wag crushing some very rich stone for the Hoe'er claim. This mishap has prevented the crushing of about five hundred tons of stone from the different claims. The stone is taken from leaders, and is expected to jiald from two to five i ounces to the ton.

Eyan's pn'tt, LvpM crossing which wawasbed down the Buller river during a fl >od has been placed aga<'n on tbe ferry. Considerable inconven ; ence b«s been CRnsecl by tbe mishap a« the ferry crosses tbe main line of road between the seaboard and Nelson, and supplies have to be carted by this route. Had the weather continued boisterous, provisions .would have run up to famine price*. There ought to be no delay in calling for tenders for bridinar this river before tbe winter sets in, es I »m informed the money for do'og so, has been rassed on (he es!im.)te", by the General C£"vern» ment during the last session. This work would do away with heavy tax on the travelling public, besides doing away with a toll of about <5s per ton on flour and other necessaries, wh'ch added-to the cost nf carria&e from Westport runs tbe freight up to about the original market price of the article purchased say in We' ington. Lyell, Sth January, 1880.