MINING SUMMARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 29, 3 February 1904, Page 6

MINING SUMMARY.

Mining matters have been somewhat dull during the past three weeks. The reconstruction of the Talisman Consolidated Company and the winding up of the Monowai at Waiomo have not assisted to improve matters. There were, however, fair transactions in Talisman shares owing to reported important developments in the Bonanza section at No. 8 level, where the reef was picked up again four feet wide, the ore being of payable quality. The return from the mine this month was less than usual, owing to stoppage for the holidays and a break at the battery. In the Waitekauri Company's property the Empire lode is to be worked at a point between the Golden Cross and old Extended mines, where the reef outcrops 55 feet in width. The boring operations are still proceeding, and it is expected to cut the reef at a depth of 1590 feet, and Kamata Reef shares have had steady buyers owing to satisfactory reports from the mine. At Waihi the erection of the new pumping plant for the parent company is proceeding apace, and sinking in the Grand Junction is being pushed on with, while the Extended Company is driving towards the boundary of the Junction property. At Coromaudel little of note has occurred with the exception that the Royal Oak Company had a good return of £1258 from 114 tons of ore. At Thames the only fact worthy of note is the catting of a reef formation showing good gold in the Una Hill claim. N.Z. Crown shares declined in price during ihe past week, sales being made at 6/9.

A decision of some importance to mining companies was given on Saturday by the Warden, Mr R. S. Bush, at Paeroa. It was in the case brought against George- Norman McGruer. mine manager of the N.Z. Crown Mines Ltd.. in connection with an accident that occurred in that company's mine. His Worship said he wa.s bound to come to the conclusion that Mr McGruer was guilty of an act of omission when he instructed that men should be placed upon the timber work in the , shaft in connection with the hatches and bearers necessary before commencing work in No. 5 level, without taking care that the men should not be employed there during such hours as winding was being carried on, or else that if -they were there, some protection should have been erected over them. Mr McGruer was, therefore, fined 40/ and costs. The Warden, however, expressed the opinion that the men, as experienced shaftsmen and miners, must have been aware of the dangerous nature of their vocation, and it was their dirty, not only to themselves, but also to their employers, to assist m minimising the dangers attendant on their employment as much as possible, and not take risks. If men working in imlnes would exercise more forethought ard discretion in tbe course of their employment, the number of ac-c-'dorts would, he felt sure, be very much reduced.