Notes from Reelton.

Otago Witness, Issue 1796, 24 April 1886, Page 11

Notes from Reelton.

Rkbfton, April 15. In the Warden's Court; ro-day the matter of the applicatiou for the cancellation of the Home-ward-Bound lease was brought up, and occupied nearly the whole day. The case for the applicant is now closed, and the defence will be proceeded with to-movrow morning, when some six or eight witnesses will be examined. The case for the applicant rests on the allegations that beyond contributions to the cost of driving the Boatman's low-level tunnel, which ceased work in January, the Company have expended nothing upon their lease since the date of the former application for cancellation. The Company practically admit this, but rely upon a three mouths' protection, which they contend was granted them, but the cm Lilicate of which has not yet reached them or been gazetted or published locally. The applicaat's contention is that the certificate of protection only runs from the date of iasue, and that issue means possession of the certificate after public notification in the Gazette and local papers. The defendants contend that the protection will run from the date of its being granted by the Minister. The case excites much local interest, and counsel for tho applicants has got a complete list of shareholders and made it part of the deposition. Tho applicant is a miner named Osborne, and with him are associated Robert Oxley (storekeeper) and Will'am Campbell (coach proprietor), both men of means. Rebfton, April 16. The hearing of the application for the cancellation o? the Homeward-Bound lease was continued in the Warden's Court to-day, and was concludsd at 3 p.m. For the defence, it wa^ shown that the delay in commencing the sinking of the main shaft was occasioned by uncertainty as to the proper site, consequent upon the greatly altered position of the reef in the Welcome No. 8 level. The reef formerly underlie^ to the eas!., but on the No. 8 level it comes in perpendicular, with a slight underlie to the west — having, in fact, turnud completely over. This made it difficult for the Homeward-Bound to decide upon the best site for the shaft, and ih was considered advisable to wait until the Welcome drove up to their north boundary, which at their present rate of driving they will reach in two or three months' time. It was also shown that up to the middle of January last the Company had contributed to the driving of the Boatmans Low-level Tunnel, since when they had applied for protection. The Warden said he would prepare his recommendation and forward it to Reefton in the course of a week or 10 days, but he did not think the applicants had made out a case for cancellation. He was of opinion that up to the middle of January last the Company had done all they reasonably could to comply with the conditions of their lease. The nature of his recommendation would be forwarded to Reefton after he had an opportunity of looking through the evidence.

Reefton, April 18. The following are the battery returns for the past week: — United Alpine (Lyell), 5120z amalgam ; Keep-it-Dark, 3280z amalgam ; Welcome, 6050z of amalgam.

Reefton, April 19. There is a marked revival in mining matters in the Boatmans district, and the Welcome, Reform, Just-in-Time, Fiery Cross, and other languishing ventures promise better just now than they have done for years past. It is hardly to be doubted that the Boatmans district will turn out a large quantity of gold during the current year. The re-pegging of mining leases is going on splendidly. To-day a fresh application has been made by Mr Watkins, C.E., for a 16-acre lease, comprising portions of the No. 2 Welcome and Endeavour ground. The lease takes in portion of the Boatmans lowlevel tunnel, and the question will be raised as to the title {of the Low-level Tunnel Company to the ground to which this tunnel has been driven. It is probable that several other leases will be applied for in this event during the next week or two.

Reform. — Those interested are sanguine that the stone will return an ounce per ton. Rebfton, April 20. Welcome. — A dividend of 2s per share was declared last night.

Venus. — The general cleaning up was completed this afternoon, the result being 872£0z of retorted gold from 1038 tons of stone. Last week's amalgam (including boxes) was 7980z. The average yield of the whole of the stone crushed approaches closely to 17dwt per ton. A dividend of 6d per share will probably be declared to-morrow.