Mining News.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 699, 27 October 1909, Page 5

Mining News.

Tenders, are invited for the purchase of the Old Man dredge, claim and water rights, particulars of which may be seen at this office. The Mannherikia is dredging steadily at the bottom end of her claim, and prospects continue good. The ground is not very deep, for with an Bft level at the bridge the depth on the Manuherikia claim is about 40ft. Some large boulders exist on the claun. and the master is of opinion that if these could be shifted (an almost impossible feat) excellent returns could be obtained, as the run of gold makes towanls the hillside. After sluicing off some of the over-

burden the Molyueux Hydraulic is again working steadily aud secured 23ozs lodwts last week. The high bank in front is proving troublesome to work, but the manager is working the claim to the best advantage. Owing to the large amount of top material necessitating treatment very -little bottom can be worked. The Chicago is still working through old taibngs on the west side of the river near the top of the claim. It is understood that a start will be made soon towards effecting repairs and alterations to the Karannui (late Alexandra Lead dredge). Mr C. ?>iinonsou has been re-engaged as dredgeinaster. Sluicing operations are being carried on at Mr Rivers' Middlesex claim, in Dan's Gußy, on the Mauorburu, under the managership of Mr D. M'Donnell. Prospects are said to be highly payable. Mr George Campbell has commenced ground sluicing on the spurs just below Tucker Hill, having leased one head of water from the local borough council. At one time this locality was successfußy worked by miners and yielded good results, but owing to the scarcity of water bttle or no mining has been done » on this spot for many years past. There exists on Tucker Hill a layer of cementy wash which carries payable gold, but owing to difficulty experienced iu treatment it has remained idle. A crushing machine was requisitioned about three years ago, but this did not work to advantage, and the ground was abandoned. Water has bttle effect on the hard wash, but there are patches of alluvial ground that can be worked by sluicing, and it is the intention of Mr Campbell to ascertain the payable nature of the terraces in the locality. Kitto and party are at present engaged in connecting their pipe-line from the river to their aUuvial claim at Shanty Creek, which is situated about 400 feet above river level. It is their iuteatiou to erect a pumping plant on the river to lift water for working their claim, and for this purpose a pontoon will be built at the Alexandra bridge and dropped down the river some seven miles to a spot adjacent to the claim. The Olrig is still engaged in working alongside the old Springvale taßings, but the ground remains poor. It will take the dredge about three weeks to work up

to a spot where good returns were formerly obtained, and it is expected that good ground will here be met with. The annual report of inspection by

the Inspector of Mines on the two local coal mines is as follows:—Alexandra Coal-mine, Alexandra (including Undaunted Coal-mine, being adjoining section under same ownership, (Messrs Mathias Bros, and Co., lessees; D. M'Xeill, niine-manager).—(3/12/1908): Connection made with Thomson's old workings to rise and south-west proved satisfactory, and closed again for future working. Attention is now being successfully paid to extraction of coal in dip area, which had formerly been abandoned as unworkable on account of the unstable nature of roof and floor. Restoration of a disused' shaft provides further convenience for second outlet and return air-shaft. Rules posted and plan forwarded. —Alexandra Coal Company, Alexandra (L. Ryan, secretary; J. Pollock, mine-manager). number of improvements have been effected during the year, among which may be mentioned the enlargement of sump at pit bottom, thereby enabling Sunday pumping to be 'dispensed with ; and the placing of dip-pump steam-pipes in return airway, and turning of exhaust steam from pumping engines into npcast air shaft; but the chief matter for congratulation was the completion of the new second outlet and air-shaft, thereby enabling working by small numbers of men on shift to be dispensed with, and workmen are now on day shift, with consequent reduction in cost of production. Substantial ladderways are placed in the new shaft. The working places are kept in good order, boreholes in roof regularly continued, and, in addition, flank boreholes are put in nearing the riverward area. A few wet backs- were encountered, which invariably pined off through time. Traversed the old workings which were found standing in good order; no gases. Report books kept, rules posted, and plan to date, Ventilation generally fair, and other requirements of the Act well observed,

DREDGING RETURNS. oz dwi *-" Rise and Shine No 1. i roniweil 72 13 0 liwng San, Upper Clntba 61 16 0 ilaouherikia. Alexandra 58 0 0 Golden Bed, fillers Flat 56 2 0 Electric No 1, Cromwell 48 5 0 Maaterton. Waikaia 46 2 0 Waikaka United Ao 2. Waikaka 41 0 0 Rise and Shine No. 2. Cromwell 40 12 0 Muddy Creek No 1, Waikaia .. 40 12 0 Mysiery Flat, Wainaia ... 30 3 0 New Roxburgh J ubilee, Roxburgh 26 0 0 Golden Treasure. Miller's Flat.. 24 10 0 Molyneux Hydraulic, Alexandra 23 15 0 Koputai, Waikaia 21 12 0 Alexandra Eureka Alexandra ... 20 10 0 Enterprise, Alexandra ... 18 3 0 Clucigo, Alexandra 17 14 0 Qtago No. 2, Millers Flat 17 0 u Waikaka United No 1 tYaina&d 16 4 0 Central Charlton, near Gore .. 12 11 0 bouth Waikaia, Waikaia 10 3 0 Olrig, Manaberikia .. 7 1 0 Waikaia, Waikaia 5 14 0 Total 701 5 0