THE OWEN REEFS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXI, Issue 306, 5 October 1887, Page 3

THE OWEN REEFS.

(From our own Correspondent.) There was a bier gathering ab Carroll Hotel on Saturday night 10 do honor to Mi U. Reevis ou his unopposed return to Parliament as representative of the luangnhua electorate. A week of combined snow, rain, and general dampness hud made our roads worse than ever they have been, but all quarters tbo boys rolled up to do justice to Carrol's tfood things and honor to our member. Close on fifty sat, down to tho banquet, and Mr James Wilkic was duly installed in tho chair. After the feeding was done it was evident than everybody wus in good form, and the Chairman's observations on what bia ideas of v thoroughly roprtaentativn goldfielda' member ought to op, n»d tbe fit ness of the guest, of fcho evening to fill that position, werej received with great applause. Ho wished to impress upon tbe miners that in the present disturbed condition of politics it would be necessary (o have loyal faith in the member, and to look upon him as a representative and not as a delegate. Mr R. eves, in reply, iegr<rtted the absence of Sir Robert, Stout from Parliament, and eairt it was impossible for anyone to foresee possible results, nut they could rely upon his persistence in doing his best t:> have the roads put in good order, and to have a telegraph lino at the earlie6t possible date. There were no end of speeches, good, bad, and indifferent, made during the evening, and the only drawback to a really good evening's enjoyment was the frightful walk home for those who had to travel the road. As a matter of fact most of the guests stayed behind, and even now I think there are a few odd ones not yet accounted for belonging to the upper end of the iistricr. The battery was put in operation for a short time this afternoon and worked biautifully — but pending the arrival of blankets, screens, &0., which are expected to-night (Oct. 3rd) aotive operations will have to wait for ths advent of this laso requirement. The tram from tha Wakatu is doiug its work admirably, delivering about, 4£ tone per hour, whiles the ten heads at, the battery will only bo able to put 100 tons a week through, ho there is no fear o£ i; being stuck up for stone, ) At the Enterprise Mr Nicholl is making 1 good progress with the erection of the battery building, and the wa'.er race iB in a vtry forward condition. The Golden Crown are driving in the reef and may at any moment get on the goldbearing veia which is in tho eastward portion of the reef.