BLUE SPUR.

Bruce Herald, Volume VI, Issue 363, 12 April 1871, Page 6

BLUE SPUR.

(From our mining correspondent. \ Water continues scarce for sluicing purposes, on account of the exceptionally dry season. Water communication across the Spnr has been somewhat restricted since the great landslip took place ; but the whole supply available has generally been used by the various companies making good use of the channels open, and working early and late. The" quantities of gold obtained when companies wash, up, is now, but seldom made public. The reason for this policy may he ascribed to motives of prudence, which, in times gone bye has worked so much mischief amongst individuals and companies. Shares in mining and water companies, are well held, and whenever sold command fair prices. Mining property would be much more valuable than it is, were it not for the amount of litigation constantly occurring between different shareholders on the Spur. Much of the litigation has evidently arisen from a misconception of rights, and a stubborn unyielding spirit on the part of a few claim holt 3 ers. From the peculiar nature of the workings on tbe Blue Spur, the interests of* different companies are continualy clashing, and hence the frequent appeals to the various courts. The conglomerate of wiiich the Spur consist?, although, almost as hard and unyielding as solid rook — is deposited in layers which dip from the hill towards Gabriels Gully. Between the various layers of cement, a few inches of greasy clay are generally fonnd, and tbe layers being shaken by the heavy blasts, and the support cut away fron tha foot of the spam by the workings, landslips occur. Jf the Spur was in the hands of one company the extent of a landslip would not occasion any serious difficulty ; but, the seam cut at a low level by one compiny, many pass through one or two neighboring claims before it reaches the surface, and the companies losing the upper and middle portion of the seam, claim and expect to get some compensation for the Joss of their ground. Another prolific cause of litigation has been, and is still the damage done to residence areas aud business sites, by the flooding of the gullies with tailings and water. Where the whole of the dernage has been done by one party, the matter is simple and often easily adjusted, as all admit that j the party injured is entitled to compensation ; but it often happens that a number 1 of different companies have all contributed more or less to the damage, and in such i cases it would be manifestly unjust for one I or two parties to have to pay for the whole. It must be apparent to those well acquainted with the state of matters on the Spur, that the true remedy for many of the existing evils will be found in- getting the whole of tho present claims and water rights into the hands of a few large companies. Very little powder is now required on the Gabriels side, as the ground slips down lin large quantities through the cutting awaj* of the lateral support. Messrs White and Co., on the Muuroes side, fired a successful blast with a charge of 3900 lbs. of powder, on the 4rh. Heavy landslips of the British American Company's ground have taken place at the head of the Nelson Company's workings, and there is some talk of an amalgamation of the two companies. The Otago Gold Mining Company have proved the existence of payable gold on the bed rock, at a depth of 95 feet below the floor ol their present workings in iheir mining lease. The crushing machinery'rec'entlj- erected by Messrs Morrison and Co., is now in good working order, and fully answers the purpose for which it was put up.