Billett, James, General Contractor and Carrier, Reefton. Mr. Billett carries on an extensive business as a contractor and carter for the Consolidated Goldfields Company. He supplies the whole of the timber and coal used by the various mines, and employs sixteen men and about twenty horses. Mr. Billett holds two coal leases at Murray Creek, and from these he obtains his supplies of coal. He is largely interested in mining ventures in the Capleston district, at Kirwan's Reward, and in the new reefs in the Wilberforce, where he and his party hold 400 acres. Mr. Billett was born in the year 1853, at Ford, Wiltshire, England, where he was educated, and brought up to farm work. He came to New Zealand in the year 1873, and landed in Wellington, where he stayed for a short time, and then went to the West Coast. Mr. Billett settled in the Reefton district, where he has since resided. He holds considerable property in and around Reefton, including a farm of 100 acres. Mr. Billett was a page 283 member of the Capleston school committee, and was chairman for three years, and is a member of the Reefton Oddfellows' Lodge. He is married and has two daughters.