Mining News.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 701, 10 November 1909, Page 5

Mining News.

Woodliouse and party have struck payable wash on their claim at Shanty Creek. The ground adjoins Kitto anil party's claim, and as it runs along the boundary of the latter area its payable p-i;ure goes to prove that the claim held W Kitto and party will turn out well from the front face to the back. Tin* gold obtained by Woodliouse and party is of a similar nature to that in Kitto and party's wash, and the prospects so far are highly satisfactory. The work of re-erecting the smelting chambers at the antimony mine is just about completed by the manager (Mr Rillstone). Sonic necessary alterations are required to hi effected before the ore is put under treatment, and a> this is not expected to occupy much time operations at the mine should again be in full swing before long. There is a decided improvement in the wash now being treated by the Molynenx Hydraulic. Last week's return of 2Sozs lodwts is the best recorded for some time, and if the overburden could be sluiced away satisfactorily larger returns would be forthcoming. As it is the master finds much difficulty in successfully treating the top material, with the result that only a limited amount of bottom can !>e worked in a week. The nature of the gold last week was of a much heavier sample than formerly obtained, oue piece weighing Idwt, and this augurs well for the future success of the company.

SAILOR'S BEXD DREDGING CO. The tenth annual report of the directors of the Sailor's Bead Dredging Co. says -. — "It is with great regret tliat the directors have to rejwrt that the year just ended has l>een an unprofitable one. Although the quantity of drift running was not nearly so great as it had been in previous years, nevertheless the dredge could not work on the bottom owing to the unusually high level maintained by the river throughout the whole of the dredging season. During the autumn and the winter three separate attempts were made to reach bottom, each time with success, and with very good prospects. But unfortmiately, on each occasion when it seemed that our patience and perseverance were about to be rewarded, the river immediately rose to such a height that it was useless to keep the dredge going. On these occasions we won altogether about 49 ounces of gold; but, judging by the prospects we were getting during the last two attempts, if we had had four weeks' continuous dredging the results would have placed the company in a strong financial position. Compared with the average temperature of the winter in Central Otago of eight or ten years ago. the last four winters have been exceedingly mild—so mild that we have been unable to work more than six or seven months altogether. Formerly we were able to dredge seven or eight mouths in each year. It is most unlikely Jhat these mild winters will continue, and ouee the winter level of the river recedes to its former height we will undoubtedly make up for lost time. The dredge is moored in a safe place, and close to where she will be started to work as soon as an opportunity is given. She is in good condition, and well able to do the work required of her. Current expenses have been reduced where possible. The directors have only drawn half fees for the past year, and the secretary has voluntarily reduced his salary to £SO per annum as from October Ist, 1901). It will be seen by a reference to the balance-sheet that, after making provision for all known liabilities, there was a credit balance of £173 lCs Id at the end of the year. The retiring directors are Messrs Sundstrum and Throp, but Mr Throp, owing to business engagements, will not seek re-election. Messrs Barr, Leary and Co., the auditors, also retire, but are eligible and offer themselves for re-election."

THE NEVIS FIELD. (Occasional Correspondent). Mining operations in this district are now in full swing, both with the dredges and sluicing claims. The mild winter experienced enabled active work to be commenced much earlier than previous years, but as the snow is fast disappearing there is every likelihood that water for sluicing will be somewhat scarce before the season is far advanced. There are only four dredges left iu this Held, but it is satisfactory to know that they are all doing fairly well. The Nevis Crossing is working steadily a short distance above the crossing, and it is .-aid that her returns this season have improved. It is expected that the ground ahead will yield better returns. The Crewe I is working midway up the tlat between the crossing and the township, and whilst her returns were not very great last season prospects at present"are regarded as highly promising. The only other dredge working on the Lower Nevis is named after this latter locality. She is heading for the terrace after working down the tlat from the township. Prior to . suspending operations for the winter prospects improved, and so far this season her returns have been encouraging. The average weekly return is about 30QK*, and this should leave a margin of profit to shareholders. Last week the buckets i»rted at the bottom tumbler and all went into the paddock, but they were coupled again after a delay of only 28 hours. At the Upper Nevis the Crewe LI has been doing exceptionally well, continuing on the rich lead that was pieked up last reason. The highest return recorded this season i> said to be 113ozs, but then again the returns have been good all the ;,:.,■ and it i- pleasing to know that -there is no sign of vet running off the g >ld. The Lower Nevis Sluicing Company is working three shifts with a plentiful supply of water* and the wash-ups are reported as being very good. Across on the opposite side the High Lead Company is also working frill time with much success. Near the township Weber and party and Masters and Atlie are hard at work, both claim- yielding good results. The party who were tunnelling behind the township haveaban l"iic I their claim, the drive having fallen in. The wash

taken out was payable, and it is a pity that the ground did not permit successful driving. There are a number of other smaller claims at work, whilst a few prospector* are also ascertaining the payable nature of different portions of the surrounding country. The Xevis field produces a large amount of gold annually, and the whole commuuity appear happy and contented.

DREDGING [X WEST AFRICA. In an interview with a representative of the Times, Mr T. M'Math, formerly of Alexandra, who has just concluded a term of five years with the Oflin River Gold Estates in West Africa, communicated some particulars of this foreign field from a dredging standpoint. Gold dredging on the rivers and Hats has proved itself a profitable industry. The Oflin River Gold Estates has four dredges at work on the (Jlnn River, and it was these which came under Mr M'Math's charge. The average returns are about SOOoz per month from the four dredges. About 50 per cent, of that is profit. It takes about £IOO per week to run each dredge. The best return for one week was 2920z. The Ashanti River and Concessions Company (managed* by Mr P. A. Westcott, formerly of Millers Flat, Otago), which adjoins the Offin River Estates, has five dredges at work, but has doue very poorly, the total return not averaging more than lOOoz or ■soi)oz per month. It is all English capital, that of the Offin River Estates being £250,000, the whole of which is issued. The machinery was all obtained from Home, and the fuel used is wood. which is cut by the natives, and is very cheap. Sunken and floating timber gives a good deal of trouble, but the dredges are specially fitted to deal with this. Xative labor is employed on the dredges, with Europeans as dredgemasters aud winchinen. The former are paid £3O per mouth, and the latter £2O per month, with keep, aud three months' holiday in the year on half-pay. Man}' Xew Zealanders are to be found employed on the dredges, and among these Mr M'Math mentioned as being witli the Offin River Company at the present time the following:—Duncan Bringans, A. C. Guuion, George Fisher, Thomas Hartley, C. J. Ash, B. Lucy, W. Churstou, F. D. Bourke, aud Claude Gregg (all from Alexandra), also W. M'Donald (Waimumu). L. Anderson, of Alexandra, was also met there, but he has returned to Xew Zealand two or three months since. Another Xew Zealander on the West African goldfields was James Holmes, of Southland, who was managing the Atassi Keeffiug Mines about a year ago, but has since gone over to Mexico.

Rare tribute was paid at the Central Police btation, Duneciin, by police officers to the efficiency and popularity of Constable Carroll, who has been transferred to Invercargill. It was not for nothing that his comrades unanimously expressed the opinion that " Invercargill is getting the best man we have on the beat, and the most popular." Chief-detective Herbert, on behalf of the Force, presented the transferred man with a case of pipes and a writing desk. The chief described him as " the most popular man in the station " Later on Sergeants Willis and M Keefry, and several comrades, added an ungrudged tribute.

At the conference of representatives of the fruitgrowers of New Zealand, held at Wellington last week, a resolution was carried that the conference place on record its appreciation of the valuable assistance given to the fanning community by the Department of Agriculture iu issuing circulars, and by the visits of inspectors to the various districts which have led to increased productivity of the land, and emphasises the conviction that efforts should be made to facilitate the marketing of farm produce in and beyond the Dominion by in'.r iducing a system of through booking by rail and sea ; that Cabinet be urged to instruct the Railway Department to workout a scheme for through looking between stations and ports in either or both islands between such other ports or stations as would lend to increase the volume of trade or passenger traffic, and between the ports of the Dominion. We draw the alte iti in of our reader-, to a special announcement in our advertising columns by Messrs Th >.ns in and Co., cordial manufacturers, Dunedin. This well known linn cautions the public about cheap beverages which are being sold as Thomson's manufacture. A careful persual of their advertisments will convince most people that it would be well to exercise care in the future when purchasing summer drinks. Quiet a number of linn-,, nowadays, make a bid for a portion of sunnier demand for cooling and thirst-quenching drinks of a non-alcoholic nature by rushing the market with all sorts of cheaply-manufactured drinks, mostly composed of chem;cals and coloring matter. We are informed that some of these (without a manufacturer's name on the imitation label) have been passed off as Thomson's manufacture by certain retailers, and Messrs I'hoiusun now warn the public that unless their names and trademark .ire on the capsule, label, and wrapper of each bottle, it is not geouine and should be avoided "at any price." Hie great and constant care that Messrs Thomson and Co. exercise in manufacturing, the money they spend in selecting the best ingredients it is possible to get in the world, and the large suns they are constantly spending in keeping their factory equipped with llic latest and best machinery ami methods, have tieen the means of establishing an 1 Australasian record for special gold medals awarded at the leading exhibitions of the world and oi giving the firm a world wide reputation as the leading cordial and aerated water manufacturers in the southern hemisphere. Anything with Thomson and Co.'s ua.iic and iriieiu.uk on i* guaranteed by then to be the be-,1 of its kind manufactured iu the world.

Sports at Alexandra. ♦ Although the morning broke dull and cheerless, yesterday afternoon was exceptionally tine for the annual sports gathering of the Alexandra Caledonian •Society. The grounds were seen at their best, and the recently-erected pavilion p"o\v I :i valuable acquisition to the society. The attendance was not quite equal to last year, the sum of £lB IDs being taken at the gates. Competition in the various events was good, and no more keener running and cycling has been witnessed here for some years. The finishes were close and exciting, ami the judges had a heavy task allotted them in placing their men in the Flying and Sheffield, when all were bunched on the tape. The handicapping of both Messrs C. Attfield (running) and J. Wilson (cycling) was beyond question, and the excellent starting of Mr J. 11. Iveddell added considerably to the close finishes. The local brass band enlivened the proceedings with first-class music, and Piper Richmond contributed selections on the bagpipes. All the officials worked zealously to promote the day's sport, and without exception they carried the programme through in commendable manner. In the evening the local dramatic s jciety reproduced " Pacing the Music " to a £2l} house.

Results of the sports : Quoits, <ios and los.—D. Mathias (ser) 1, W. Kiug (3pts) 2. Six competed. Maiden Footrace, 100 yds; 30s and 10s.—J. Wansbone 1, W. M'Donnell 2, D. Whelau 3. Bovett, Carliue, Larseu also ran. Won by couple of inches. Time, ll'.secs.

Half-mile Cycle, 40s and 20s.— First iical: F. De Silva 70yds 1, E. Keaue 80yds 2, R. Lambert 20 yds 3. Beattie 1-5, M'Carthy 50, Roxburgh (30, Quigley 85 also competed. (Second heat : L. Maw 50yds 1, H. Vernon (35yds 2, A. King 55yds 3. Hansen 45, Bovett 50 also started. Final: De .Silva 1, Vernon 2, Lambert 3. Won comfortably. Flying Handicap, 75yds; 50s 20s 10s. —First heat: G. M'Leod Iyd 1, A. Brown syds 2, D. Butler 6yds 3. Wansbone 7, R. Gordon 8, Larsen S also ran. Second beat: D. Gordon 7iyds 1, W. Moorhead 7yds 2, D. Kirkwood syds 3. Also ran: Sullivan 3, Haughton 4i. Final : M'Leod 1, Moorhead 2, Brown 3. All qualified started, and from a grand start a strenuous finish resulted in a bare inch win. Time, Ssees. Wheel Race, 2 miles; 100s, 4')s, 15s.— First heal : J. M'Carthy 165 yds 1, R. Lambert 75yds 2, De Silva 170 yds 3. Beattie 150, Roxburgh 185, Keaue 215 also competed. Time. 4.53. Second heat: J. Hansen 150 yds 1, A. King 175 yds 2, L. Maw 165 yds 3. Vernon 190, Bovett 215, (Quigley :J2O also started. Time, 4.59 L Final : Maw 1, Lambert 2, M'Carthy 3. , All qualified started. A funeral pace was taken till the sixth lap. At the bell Maw shot out and was never headed, winning by a length, half a length separating second and third. Time, smin 2v)secs.

Alexandra Sheffield, 135 yds ; 100s, 40s, 20s. —First heat : J. Haughton 10yds 1, R. Williams 13yds 2, A. Brown 123'ds 3. Second heat : G. M'Leod 4iyds 1, W. Moorhead 14yds 2, D. Butler 12yds 3. Also ran: Sullivan 8, Kirkwood 12, R. Gordon 15. This heat was hotly contested, M'Lsod winning on the tape, coming through his field in fine style. Final: Brown 1, Butler 2, Williams 3. A grand race all the way resulted in Brown winning by couple of inches. M'Leod appeared to get through but was not placed. The field were bunched on the tape. Time, 13secs. Footrace, 220 yds; 60s, 255, 10s.—R. Williams syds 1, D. Butler 4yds 2, J. Haughton 2yds 3. Sullivan scr, Brown 2, Moorhead 7, M'Donnell 10, Carliue 12 also ran. Won easily. Time, 2(!secs. Boys' Race, under 10 years: 3s, 2s, Is. —Chris Olseu 1, S. Kinraid 2, J. 2s'ieper 3. Girls' Race, under 14 years ; ss, 3s, 2s. —M. Kitto 1, J. Taylor 2, M. Anderson and A. Haw ley 3. One Mile Cycle, 50s, 20s, 10s.—First heat: Lambert scr 1, M'Carthy 55yds 2, Vernon 125 yds 3. Beattie 95, Roxburgh 114, Bovett 120 also competed. Time, 2.29. Second heat: De Silva 110 yds 1, Keane 135 yds 2, King 120 yds 3. " Maw 45, Hansen 80, Quigley 150 also started. Time, 2.24. Final : King 1, De Silva 2, M'Carthy 3. Won by two lengths after a close race. Time, 2miu 24secs.

Place-kicking Football, 20s.—H. Kitto 1. 42 entries. Boys' High Jump, under 1(! years; IDs, 3s, 2s. YV. Weatlierall (4ft 2iu) 1, J. Kitto 2, J. Kennedy 3. Five competitors. Chain Stepping, 20s.—D. Mathias 1, W. Noble 2. Footrace 440 yds ; 70s, 30s, 10s. —11, Williams scr 1, D. Butler Gyds 2, Kirkwood Byds 3. Haugiitou scr, Brown 4 also ran. Won easily. Boys' Race, under 10 years: 10s, 3s, 2s.—B, Coulsou 1, G, Paul 2, E, Scott 3, Tnirteeu starters. Cycle Race, U miles; b'Os, 20s 10s.— First heat : King 110 yds 1, De Siiva 110 yds 2, Lambert- scr 3. McCarthy 150, Uovetfc 100 also competed. Second :teat : (iuigley 170 yds 1, Keaue 110 yds 2, Hansen 110 yds 3. .Maw 55, Beattie 120, Roxburgh 130 also started. Final: Hansen I, De Silva 2, King 3. Won easily after a well-judged race. Time, luiin 45secs. Out: Mile Walk, 30.s and Ills. —R. Thompson 50yds 1, V. Symons 30yds 2. M'Kersey 15, A. Larseu -s<», (|. Campbell 50 also started. An interesting event. Time, ihniu 2secs. Youths' Bicycle Race, one mile: los, 3s, 2s (id.—T. Keaue 1, Kainiiam 2, .], Kennedy 3. Six starters. Ticket Race, 100 yds; 40.s and 15s; drawer, trophy.—■D. Butler scr 1, 1). Ivirkwood scr 2. Whelan 5, Uarliue ii also ran. Drawers (2 trophies), J. Muirhead ami Chinaman. Consolation Cycle, one mile: 30s and Ms.—l. M'Carthy 45yds 1, J. Quigley llOyds 2. Also started: Lambert scr., Symons 50yds, .1. Roxburgh 70, K. rCeane 95, liovett 122.

- Boys' Wrestling, under 15 years: IDs and 3s.—J. Ivennedy, J. Uaiuham 2. Seven competitors.

DREDGING RETURNS. oz dwt g 1 Risine Sun, Upper Clntha 67 16 0 Solden Bed. Millers Flat 58 12 0 Uasterton. Waikaia 48 6 0 Otago No. 2, Millers Flat ..1 46 0 0 Alexandra Eureka Alexandra ... 39 0 0 ilanuberikia Alexandra 37 0 0 Soputai, Waikaia 35 9 0 vl uddy Creek No 1, Waikaia .. 34 7 0 Sandy Point, Alexandra 33 11 0 Chicigo. Alexandra 32 2 0 Riley's Revival, Clutha River ." 32 0 0 Muddy Creek No. 2, vVaikaia .. 30 3 0 Rise and Shine No. 2. Cromwell 28 19 0 ilolyneux Hydraulic. Alexandra 28 15 0 New Roxburgh J ubilee, Roxburgh 26 8 o Waikaka Unite-! No 1. Waikaid 22 2 0 Hartley and Riley, Cromwell ... 20 5 0 Waikafea United No 2. Waikaka 20 4 0 Punt. Clutha River 19 5 0 Golden Treasure. Miller's Flat.. 18 10 0 Waikaia, Waikaia 7 18 o Enterprise, Alexandra 7 11 0 Oirig, Manuherikia 7 5 0 South Waikaia, Waikaia Total 4 14 0 699 2 0