MINING NEWS.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 372, 25 June 1903, Page 5

MINING NEWS.

The rainfall during the week caused a, rise of about nine inches in the Mo'ynenx at Alexandra, the height last evening being aaout 3|ft above the ' normal' mark at the' Alexandra bridge. In the gorge; the river is, •f course, affected to a greater extent. The Monte Christo dredge is being shifted down to the Old Dunstan claim, which has been purchased by the Company. The Davis Bend No 2 dredge is steadily about midway in the old Cairnmuir claim, but so far has not ■truck payable wash, the ground being tomewhat rough. The manager (Mr O. Baker) had the dredge put in firstclass order before commencing work. The Bendigo, Davis Bend No- 2, and 9 River Molyneux dredges are working ■temdily, but so far neither has succeeded in striking the * jugular.' The present fresh in' the river will no doubt affect these dredges slightly, k * The First Chance d^ge y isf"iworking very deep ground. She is operating en a deep run which some believe may turn out to be the famous " Coleman's Gutter." JThe Mariuherikia, Sailor's Bend, ~-Moa N). 2, and Alexandra Lead § wedges are working steadily. The two former have been a good deal .-troubled with drift daring the past tew days. The Half-way House dredge is still keeping on excellent wash, and another big yield may be expected this week The Eureka Co.'s No. 2 dredge commenced dredging on the Great Central Co.'s claim, but has stopped again. The Dunstan Lead dredge is still operating on very payable wash. The Vincent dredge will be sold by auction at Mr D. M. Spedding's rooms, Dunedin, on July 7th. The Perseverance No 2 dredge is ■till in the repairers' hands, but will probably be ready to resume work early next week. The Ardmore Dredging Co. invite tenders for the purchase of the screen and elevator of the Coal Creek dredge. Mr F. Sutherland, formerly of the Stafford-Waimea dredge, has been Appointed master of the Golden United dredge. The returns from the Perseverance No 1 dredge for the past two weeks ■how a decided improvement on the yields that have been won since the dredge commenced taking up the new cut, the return of 40oz 9dwt for last week being a very satisfactory one. There has been a sensational gold find at Big Hill, (Queensland). Pratten, a miner, discovered some rubbly stone at a depth of 2ft, and obtained 9oz of gold from a bucketful. A rush has set in. DREDGEMASTERS' CERTIFICATES. (BY WIRE.) At a meeting of the Board of Examiners, held on June 3 and 4 at Alexs n dr he following candidates successful passed their examinations for dredgemasters' certificates:—Francis Woodhouse, Cromwell; D 0 Hepburn, Alexandra; I B Rooney, Roxburgh; Win Tinney, Island Block; Wm Bringans, Alexandra; Robert Borthwick, Alexandra; -Wm Kane, CromwelF"; Wm Poppelwell, Alexandra; Harlivicb, Roxburgh; Jas Wathew, Millers' Flat; H B Murray, Cromwell; C B Outdo, Alexandra; John Peterson, Alexandra; James E Carroll, Alexandra^ John Watt, Roxburgh ; James Sawle, Cromwell; J I Ray, Bannockburn; John M'Lean, Roxburgh; D D Elder, Roxburgh; Wm Orr, Cromwell. E H Watson, of Collingwood, Nelson (late of Clyde), also passed the exam*

ALEX ANDR a. COAL MINING COMPANipLIMITED. The following is the fourth annual report of the above Company to be submitted to the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held on Tuesday next:— "Your directors beg to present their report for the year ending 20th April, 1903. " They are sorry to say that they have not yet been able to declare a dividend, although they are pleased to say that the Company is gradually getting into a stronger position. "During the year, a good deal of money has been spent in purchasing a new boiler and winding engine (imported from Home). These have now been fitted up and are working very satisfactorily, and will mean a considerable saving in expense in working the mine.

"The coal is still of very good quality, and is preferred to any other in the district both for steaming and household purposes and a splendid field of coal is being opened out. Trade is pretty brisk just now, and usually is at this time of year owing to the number of dredges at work. "The price of coal at the pit's mouth is 10s per too all round. The application for the increased area has been recommended to the Minister for his consent. '

"At the present time there are 23 men employed at the mine. The manager's report for the month just ended shows that the output was 1008 tons and 2 bags, realising £504 Is 4d. The total cost in wages was £319 8s lOd. " Messrs Samuel Luke and William Noble, juc, retire from the directorate, both being eligible for re-election. The auditor (Mr C. E. Richards) also retires, and is also eligible for reelection."