RIVERTON. (from a correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1383, 1 June 1878, Page 16

RIVERTON. (from a correspondent.)

This township is 21 mtlca from Invercarcargill, and is at present 2-eaohed by coach conveyr.net J; the "whips" of the road are Millar and rlorr, two skilful drivers. The roai travsrsed for about two-thirds of the distance is by the tex beach, although this entails crossing the Waimaluku, whioh is extreaiely dangerous during a flood. A branch line of railway is in course of construction, which is expected to be finished about Christinas. The Rivertonians feel much aggrieved at the proposed erection by the Government of a Fifth Class Station, as Bhown on the plan of station yard. There is universal condemnation here at the tardy manner in which the railway works are being conducted. There is no doubt the progress of tho district ia retarded in consequence of their incompleteness, although I believe the contract time has been exceeded. Biverton ia located at the mouth of the Aparima, and owes its foundation to having been some thirty-five years ago a whaling station. Its chief support is derived froni the large agricultural district which extends some 20 miles up Jacob river, as also from the goldfielda of Orepuki and Hound Hill. The diggings have a population of Europeans and Chinese to t>*e number of 130. Several thousand acres of land are at present under survey, with the view of being sold under the deferred- payment system." Tho town bears every evidence of prosperity and progress, and property has lately risen in value 50 per cent., in consequence of the attention directed to the LoDgwood reefs. The mayor of the city is an enterprising draper, who is supported by the wisdom of the councillors when assembled in solemn conclave re the many vexed questions that must present themselves. There is one long business street, which is fairly represented by every class of t'/ade. One or two industries call for notice, the chief of which are the workshops of Reid aud Sons, which are certainly in advance of the place. Their establishment oomprises a steam saw mill and planing works, capable of turning out 15,000 feet of timber per week j a flour mill, ard wheelwright's shop and forge. Messrs Cameron and Ireland represent the saddlery trade, and their work has gained more than local fame. The population of the district is 800. As a fair index of its importance I may mention that it has its weekly paper. Thirteen miles from Riverton are situated the

XONGWOOD RANGES, Whioh have attained euch prominence lately. Some thirty leases have been applied for, which oome on for hearing before Mr Warden Wood during the next three weeks. The prospectors, two brothers named Hayes, preferred applying for a lease instead of a " prospectors' " claim, thus avoiding giving publicity to their discovery. They have been prospecting for a quartz reef in the range for ten years. The reef struck by them was reached after driving Borne 80ft., and is two feet in thickness. The stone shown as having been taken from the reef (which your reporter saw) is a rich looking decomposed quartz, and not unlike stone taken from reef a at the Thamea. About 150 men are at present on the ranges, and preliminary work only ii being done pending the granting of the leasss. The prospectors expect to bottom and open their drive in a few daya. The Hayes Brothers have been very secretive as to their find. The only indicntion that can bo formed as to the bearing of the re c f is from the fact that claims north and south have been pegged out by their friends.. A great deal of speculation is rife ; the chief speculators being Invercargill citizens. The townsfolk are naturally very sanguine as to their prospects, and, without doubt, if anything like payable results are obtained, a great accession of population must ensuo. Independent of the reef found by the prospectors, others of a favourable character have been discovered. Miner?, however, at a distance should be very chpry in leaving a certainty for what may yet prove a Will-o'-the-wisp. Moreover, the nature of the country at this time of the year ia much against prospecting. No tracks have yet been formed, although a survey is going on j besides the range is several inches deep in snow. Mr Wood is tho resident warden, who must find it difficult to decide conflicting interests. Ho cautions anything like a rush in the present doubtful state of matters.