Charges at Karangahake Reduction Works.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 88, 15 April 1887, Page 2

Charges at Karangahake Reduction Works.

(To the Editor.)

Sra.-In a late issue of tho " Herald " Mr Larnach, Minister of Mines, is reported to have stated in his official capacity that the charges for crushing at the Karanirahftke Reduction Company s works were monstrous and that the price should not be more than from 20s to 30s per_ ton. Now 1 have yes to learn that it is the duty of our paternal Government to hx Che rates at which such work ta to be done. Al*o, that he would nob help the shareholders of a cdmpany fco get the quartz to the battery, and that he would withdraw the grant of £200 because the battery company and tho adjoining mines were taxing themselves to the extent of £150 out of the £200 required to get the Government subsidy of an equal amount. Another remark was that tS per ton was the price charged at the works. It anyone will take the trouble to read the printed scale of charges stuck up nt both works and office they will see that the charsres are from 30s to £3, all ore yielding more £5 per ton being at .Ws. If this chartVo was made for ordinary crushin" and for'berdan pan it would be high, but there is more than double the work in the process employed, and it is the only one that has ever successfully treated a parcel of this mixed silver ore in New Zealand. Ifjbhe works are closed permanently the wholo of Karangahako will have to be abandoned. As to the shareholders makinc profits by this monstrous charge, lef the Government take it over nt cost price and run it for its particular friends— the miners. The shareholders would sell at cost. How is it that at such places as Waiorongomai, the charge is 20s per ton or load for crushing and patting through the berdan pans once, ore which only averages 70 per cent, while there is little doubt but that the same ore would yield about fifty per cent, more if crushed at the Karangahake Company's works. _ I will not further go into this question, expecting to ?eo some one more able that) myself take it up. How the parties interested have let it pass SO long has surprised me, and is the reason for this explanation. —I am, &C\, SUAK£UOLDEIi in Kabanoahaice Mines.