MINING NEWS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7260, 21 January 1889, Page 6

MINING NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] [moil OUR COBBKSPONDSin'/j ~ \ REEFTON, January 20. The following are the battery returns for the past week: — Globe —171oz of amalgam for 185 tons. Keep-It-Dark —1770z amalgam from 120 tons. Golden Treasure —The mine manager reports that during the past week he has been engaged in renewing portions of the poppet heads, which showed signs of weakness during the long idleness. He will have the work completed in about three days; is still driving the bottom level, but no change to report. Pour men are also engaged clearing out the old Band of Hope tunnel, and the work is now well advanced.

Welcome—The mine manager reports that he is stoping below the No. 6 level, the reef being 18in thick, and the quality equal to 24dwt per ton. Also cross catting 100 ft south from the present workings, where stone is expected to be met with. '1 here are about thirty tons of stone in the paddock. Big River Extended—There is no report in as yet from the mine manager. The past week, or indeed fortnight, has been one of the slackest periods in mining experienced for probably ten years past. The heavy call drain of last year, added to the disappointing returns obtained from some of the mines in the closing period of the year, has had its effect both upon the resources and enterprise of shareholders, and the general disposition now is for a short respite. Thus many of the prospecting ventures which were kept going up to the end of December have not yet resumed, while in many other mines hands have been shortened, and expenditure all round curtailed very largely, and this state of things is likely to continue over the first quarter of the year at least. Caledonian Extended —No further advices have been received from the London agent relative to the floating of this venture on the English market. The last intimation was that the project had been underwritten by an influential London Syndicate,- that it would be floated at an early date, and that in the meantime the formal transfer of the property from the owners to the representatives of the Syndicate could be proceeded with. This has been done, and the local agents are in daily expectation of advice of the closing of the negotiations.

Progress—The erection of the new machinery is being pushed on, and fine weather favors the undertaking. In the meantime the sinking of the winze has been discontinued, the intention being to rise to connect from the low level, or as soon as the latter has been carried into the perpendicular of the winze, which is expected about April. Inkerman —Tenders closed last night for the erection of quartz paddock. The erection of the aerial tramway is going on briskly. The cable ordered from London has been delivered at the works, so that there will be, no delay for want of material.

Sir Francis Drake—The battery was started on Tuesday last, and not being a full week there was no scraping up to-day. Sixteen hands are employed in and about the mine.

Scotia —The only work in progress is the driving of the main level, which is now approaching the perpendicular line of the winze.

Happy Valley—Work has been temporarily suspended here, calls having fallen into arrears, but the intention is to make a fresh start next month.

Lone Star—The line for an aerial tramway to connect with the Just-in-Time battery has been cleared, and a contract will shortly be let for the erection of the line. The distance will be about the third of a mile. Cross-cutting is still being carried on in the low level, but has not yet revealed anything in the upper. However, a considerable length of stone has been proved, and this will be taken out before any further extensive works are undertaken to find the downward course of the lode.

Nil Desperandum—A contract has been let for sinking a winze on the north block. The extension of jthe low level southwards is also in progress. The workings offer little for report.

Just-in-Time — The new prospecting works' initiated by the recently elected Directors have not so far led to any discovery of importance. The work is still in progress. South Hopeful—Work has been suspended here for a time. Reform—Nothing of importance has yet been met with, but the extension of the level south is still going on.