MINING

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21086, 10 February 1934, Page 11

MINING

.MOONLIGHT GOLDFIELDS An enthusiastic meeting of shareholders of the Moonlight Goldflelds Company, Limited, was held in the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. The chairman, Mr Harvey Cook, gave an outline of the work done to date which he said was well advanced, and mentioned that tha company's application for its water right for a period of 42 years had been granted. The directors had recently visited the claim when special attention was paid to the site of the head works of the water supply, and it was found that at a suitable elevation there exists a natural intake so that little expense would be required there. The inspection of the main pipe line indicated that for a large part of the distance the site of the open race used in former years could, at little cost, be adapted to fo'-m the bed upon which to lay the pipes, thus saving considerable expense as compared with surveying and laying out a new formation. Work in hand was the clearing ol the route for the pipe-line, running a traverse and taking levels and cross sections preparatory to letting contracts for formation excavation, etc., and suoply of pipes. By dividing the work into suitable sections ana letting separate contracts for these, it was expected that the whole would be completed in a short time. The personal investigations of the directors and further information received by them from the manager and others had more than ever convinced them that the property was a valuable one.

Mr P. N. Quartet-main, F.P.A. (New Zealand), F.1.A.N.Z.. was appointed auditor. Captain A. J. Charman moved a vote of i hanks to the directors for the information given to the meetin" and expressed his fulL-confidence irTthe future ol the company. LITER SHOTOVER Mr A. C. Gormack, managing director o£ the Upper Shotover Gold Mining and Hydro-Electric Company, Ltd., who has recently returned from an extended visit to the claim, reports that the diversion tunnel from the Polnoon to the Shielburn has now been completed, and the stream-bed has been dewatered for a length of approximately four miles. The tunnet was a complete success, and its design and construction reflect credit on the engineer and contractor. It will carry all the water from the Polnoon except when in high flood. At the time Mr Gormack left the claim no water from the main stream was /lowing down the old channel, and it is clear that the slreum-bed can be dewatered for all practical purposes. Naturally there is a small flow from seepage and drainage, but this can be easily dealt with. Some nice prospects both of coarse and fine gold were obtained from the stream-bed, which consists of a succession of very deep holes filled with Lolu'ers and .schist gravel. Maori stones and black sand were very plentiful. Most of Ihe holes are of large extent, some being more than a chain in length. It was impossible to ascertain the depth or quantity of the gravel deposit, though it appeared considerable, or its value as a gold container, but arrangements have been made for dewatering the holes, and the necessary pumping plant will be in operation in about a fortnight. The company has been fortunate in retaining the services of Mr George Thomson, the contractor for the tunnel, as the manager of the claim. A permanent tamp is being constructed at a convenient pile about the middle of the claim, and preparations are well forward for cleaning up each section of. the bed piecemeal. Mr Gormack said '.hat ihe outflow of the river from the tunnel, with practically a sheer drop of 120 feet to the Shielburn Gorge, was a very impressive sight, and it was obvious that ample electric power cculd be generated for working ibis tnd any other claims along the Shotover river at a minimum of cost.

.MOONLIGHT-NELSON CREEK Mr T. Lcarmont, supervising engineer, superintending the installation oi the Moonlight Creek race, reports that progress is steady though slow on account of the hard nature of the rock to be driven through. This race is now ncaring completion. While water from Nelson Creek race has been available, both nozzles have been playing on the stripping face. Excepting for sft to Gft of stones on the top, this face is solid ground about 30 fc-i high. Bottom has been found at the lower end of the claim, which will furnish data for the taking of levels. Test of the wash at this point carried out by the mine manager disclosed a gold content of Jdwt to the dish. HATTERS FLAT The mine manager reports that progress is steady though development operations have been hampered by excessive rainfall. The drag is working in a very satisfactory manner, and the overburden has been removed over an area of three chains by two chains, opening up a paddock of good auriferous gravels. A wash-up of this paddock is expected to take place on March 1. BELL KILGOUR WASH-UP DUNEDIN, February 9. The Bell Kilgour wash-up this week was five ounces from development work. KING SOLOMON WASH-UP ir«I«S ASSOCIATION TIIJOUU.) INVERCARGILL, February 9. The King Solomon wash-up was 194 ounces 12dwt for the week. FURNITURE SALE lle-ts lluichin-oii, While, Lid., Victoria square, report having; held successful sales for furniture and effects, (he principal prices realised lieiuir as follows: —Singer sewing machine £ 11. 10s, Singer machine £lO, basins 5s Gd, china cabinet £l, 2 b.b. chairs £1 ss, wire mattress 15s, piece lino. 13s 6d, bookcase £1 ss, wiro netting ss, box Ottoman £i 17 S 6d. wtinl mattress 17s 6d, kapoc pillows 7s Gtl. ditto Os Gd. congoleum £1 lis •Id tools I2s, Is. drills, vices, (rowels, wrench, and general tools £2 Is 6(1, single bed £1 15s Cd. single bed £1 15s, piano £lo 10s. single bed and wire £l, dnningroom suite £ll, wool mattress £1 17s (id. - kapoc pillows 7s (id, petrol stove 13s 6d, coir mat 7s Gd, s.g. chair 12s Gd, layerbuilt mattress 17s Gd, stretcher 7s Gd, chairs ;.'s 4d, 4s sd, throc-piece suite £lO 10s, 1 table 0s 6d. stretcher £1 2s Od, records 7s Gd, mattress £1 7s Gd, push-chair £2. mirror 15s 6d, cloth 15s, dropside cot £l, oak bed and wire £l, three h.b. chairs £1 10s, 3 chairs 15s. 2 kitchen chairs Jss, traycloth 15s. three mats Gs 6d, carpet sweeper £l, Singer box-top £2 ss, three-piece suite £ll 10s, ditto £1 10s, gas ring 2s 6d, stretcher 12s Gd, mirror £1 2s Gd, sideboard £4 10s, piano £ll, push-chair £1 10s, ditto £1 10s, ax. carpet £5 15s, pram. £1 10s, dining-room suite £B, rimu suite £0 10s, pedestal 14s Gd. child's low chair 7s Od. pram. £1 10s, books lis, chesterfield £4 10s, felt 21s lid. hearthrug- £1 I os. Hottentot .1 is. :•• kit.-hen chairs 15- Oil. s.n. ,-h.lir, 1 ss, swd kerb 15s. s.k. chair 15s (Id. copper kerb 7s (id, kitchen table 1 Us, etc. —7