OWEN REEFS DISTRICT.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 268, 10 April 1886, Page 2

OWEN REEFS DISTRICT.

(from our own correspondent.) This district is steadily improving, and prospecting is being vigorously proceeded with. The Nelson Prospecting Association have men in the field, besides several private parties, searching the country for the precious metal. This field is attracting a large number of capitalists and mining speculators from remote portions of New Zealand; and every person I have spoken to on the matter seems to be very favorably impressed with the prospects of the country, and many predict a grand future for the Owen. Several new leases have been marked out lately, which are now being surveyed by l\lr Wright, a gentleman of gieat experience in mining matters, who has been sent specially by the Government to report on the field, and I understand that his opinion is very favorable. After Mr Wright has finished the lease surveys he has b»en instructed to lay off a township ; the site chosen being about two miles 3011 th of the junction of Buhner Creek with the Oweu River, and about eight miles inland from the main road from Lyell to Nelson. The spot selected is a nice flat, very pleasantly situated, good soil aud plenty of sound useful timber for building purposes. Mr Jackson, of the Public Works Department, has just completed the survey of the proposed road into the reef's, the total distance being about 10 miles. This route starts about two and a-half miles from the junction of the Oweu and Buller Rivers on the Nelson side, and passes over a saddle in the ranges and drops down on the flat country traversed by Maggie's Creek, and from thence over level land to the reefs. Many and divers opinions have been expressed with regard to the advisability of constructing this road where surveyed. There is an alternative route which follows the east bank of the Owen River, which in my opinion is the best of the two, for the following reasons. The river route is level all the way, is comparatively dry and has the great advantage of good road making material close handy. The Maggie's Creek line is altogether devoid of these features ; in the first place there is a hill to rise, then there is no metal convenient; again, the country is mainly composed of bogs and soft clay formation. In fact there has been a little packing done since Mr liibet blazed the line, and ilittle as it was it has already rendered the track almost impassable for horse trafficMr Garven, Inangahua County Engineer, was asked to report and he unhesitatingly condemned the Maggie's Creek route, and unless some powerful influence is brought to bear, I am afraid the road will be started where surveyed but wlieu it will be finished is another question. In my opinion I agree with Mr Garven and consider it a glaring waste of public money

to attempt the construction of this line, when it is evident to the merest tyro in engineering that a more permanent line can he made for one third of the money and in quarter of the time. I noticed list week a number of your townspeople here, and have "since learned ; that two-new leases have been marked out and applied for, and several transactions in mining shares taken place on behalf of some Lyell men. The Bulmer Creek is looking very well. A five foot reef has been struck in the crosscut showing good gold and well defined walls in solid country. The Lyell Quartz Mining taksn up by Mr E. Carroll of Lyell, is north of the Bulmer Creek, and is looked upon as valuable property. The Wakatu has a large quantity of stone to grass of rich quality. The Uuo is now amalgamated with the Wakatu. This ur.ison, I consider a very judicious proceeding on the part of the directors of both claims, as the interests involved are nearly identical, and the ground can be worked far more advantageously. The Golden Fleece, Comstock, and Southern Star claims are now surveyed, ind complete the batch, at present taken up on the delta formed by Bulmer Creek and the Owen River. The Golden Crown is situated on the east bank of the Owen, and has a well defined reef running through it, showing payable gold. The Bonanza, Owen. Zealandia, Enterprise, Broken Hill and Golden Point, are being surveyed, and occupy a different line to any other in the field, being situated on the west bank of the river. In all the claims above mentioned well proportioned reefs are exposed, which, upon being tried, show a fair prospect of gold. Water races, and machine sites are being marked off, up and down the river, and I hear of the intention to erect a battery of 30 head of stampers as soon as the road is made to transport the machinery. In alluvial rery little is being done, although good tucker ground can be found almost anywhere, so that a man may never be hard up for the necessaries of life. Accommodation is very scarce at the Beefs at present, as far as the sleeping arrangements are concerned. Mr George Trower is the proprietor of an Accommodation House at the mouth of the Owen. A Post Office is established here, and communication is kept up regularly with the Reefs.