The Bruce Quartz Mining Company.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 802, 12 May 1876, Page 5

The Bruce Quartz Mining Company.

Some time ago we mentioned the fact that the Bruce Quartz Mining Company had commenced the erection of ten additional head of stampers at their claim at Canada reef. This addition to the old five-head battery was completed a few days ago, and yesterday about fifty ladies and gentlemtn proceeded to the claim, at the invitation of the company, to witness the starting of the new machinery. Shortly after one o'clock in the afternoon most of the visitors had arrived, and when everything had been got in readiness, Mrs W. J. Dyer started the motive power, while Miss Jones (daughter of Mr Alfred Jones) named the new battery "The Victoria," performing the ceremony in the orthodox manner by breaking a bottle of wine over the machinery. After everything in connection with quartz-crush-ing at the Bruce Company's claim had been explained to the visitors, the company adjourned to dinner, Mr Alfred Jones occupying the chair. A vigorous attack was at once made upon the substantial fare provided. Dinner being over, The Chairman proposed the health of " Her Majesty the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the other members of the Royal family," coupling the toast with the name of Mr Donald Ileid. Mr Reid did his best to represent Royalty in a creditable manner, and in his response to the toast was entirely successful. Mr R. R. Jones, who rose to propose the next toast, said that they had met there that day to celebrate the starting of the additional ten head of stampers at the claim of the Bruce Quartz Company. Many of them were aware of the energy and perseverance that had been displayed by the Company in its endeavor to develop the resources of the district — (hear, hear) — aud he was sure that it gave them, as it gave him, great satisfaction that there was now a good prospect of the shareholders in the Company reaping their well-merited reward.— (Applause.) Before it was decided to erect the additional ten head of stampers they had some encourag- J ing data to go upon, and he was bound to give credit to the directors for the busi-ness-like manner in which they had carried out their work. A good deal of the success that was now in store for the Company might be attributed to the action of the directors as a body, but the greatest share , of credit was due to the indefatigable managing director, Mr W. J. Dyer. If it had not been for his indomitable courage and perseverance, the Company would have collapsed long ago. He had never said this before, but now he felt gratified to have the opportunity of saying so. They had been present that morning at the christening of the new machinery, and they must be aware that it had cost a great deal of money. He therefore hoped that the directors would be rewarded by the realisation of their long-deferred hopes. While he was referring to the Company, he might say that he believed it would be advisable to publish in the newspapers periodical reports with reference to the work done at the mine, and the results. In conclusion, he would ask them to join with him In wishing every possible prosperity to " The Bruce Quartz Mining Company," and hoping that it might prove a source of profit to the district. He wished to couple the toast with the name of the managing director, Mr W. J. Dyer. The toast having been drunk with musical honors, Mr W. J. Dyer rose to return thanks on behalf of the Company, and for what had been said of him as its manager. It was not necessary for him to say that the Company had only a large profit in prospective, He had every confidence in the future prosperity of th,e Oqmpany, and it might be well for him to say what had been done. The company had held this claim fqr two, years, aad during that tim,e had been engaged in prospecting. A shaft had been sunk at the spot where the machinery now stood, as being the lowest portion of the ground, and this shaft was now down eighty feet. They h,ad been tunnelling into, the reef^ an.d in doing so, instead of stoping out the reef above, they had driven about 70,0 feet. The quantity of quartz no.AY was very large, and up to last June 20d0 tons had been raised, the yield being a little over 4 dwts. to the ton. Under this plan, with five h,ead of stampers, they hud only been able to pay Avages, and it was thought b.etter carry on operations on a more extensive scale. 2dwts Bgr per ton of quartz would pay current expenses, now that they had the additional ten head of stampers, and if the stone yielded as well as had been the case in, the past, ther^ woqld be a. good.

I profit. In his opinion the yield would be just the same, as the yield for the 2000 tons that had been crushed had been very equal. At some of the crushings the yield had been larger than at others, but the whole might be averaged at 4dwts to the ton, and this in the future would give a profit of twenty-five per cent. This was the present position of the Company, so far as it was possible for him to tell them in a few -words. There was no necessity for him to explain to those present the mode of working, so he would conclude by returning his sincere thanks for the manner in Avhich the toast had been received. Before he sat down he Avould ansAver a question that had been asked, by stating that Avhile eight men were employed with five head of stampers, Avith fifteen head of stampers they Avould only require sixteen men. Mr W. Black proposed the health of " The visitors," and the proceedings ended.