MINING NEWS,

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 5312, 6 October 1885, Page 2

MINING NEWS,

(herald mining reporter.) Reefion, October 1. Welcome. — Owing to various delays and detentions the shaft for the winding engine lias not yefc arrived. It is now nearly seven weeks since the casting was ordered from Dunedin, and it has been anxiously expected here for some time, as no. work can be done in the mine until the machinery is repaired and a great number of men are kept idle in consequence. The shaft was left in Westport last week for transhipment to Greymouth, where it will undergo the final process of turning and finishing before it will be fit for use. In consequence, . however, of the boisterous weather lately prevailing on the Coast the transhipment had not yet taken place by yesterday morning's advices, so that of a necessity s«me time will elapse before operations can be resumed in the mine. In the meantime some hands are employed constructing a new flue from the chamber in No. 6 level to conduct the smoke to the surface. Eureka. — It is to be regretted that the plucky and energetic manner in which this enterprise has been prosecuted since the outset, has not yet been rewarded by such success as the high-spirited undertaking justly deserves. The project was inaugurated at the time when the Welcome mine had attained the height of its prosperity and renown. The Eureka being the adjoining claim to the east it was, not unreasonably, expected that the nnderlie of the rich lode in the No. 6 level of the firstnamed mine could be tapped at some depth below that and the next levels. With that view a very long incline tunnel was decided upon and commenced as the easiest method of reaching the reef, the nature of the ground debarring any other efficient mode of procedure. This tunnel which was continued without interruption with unflagging zeal, passed the calculated point of the underlie some few xiionths since without, however, striking the reef. As the bearings had been taken under great difficulties ib was thought probable that the calculations might have been faulty, and it was thereupon decided to crosscut in the two most likely directions. Considerable amount of this work has now been done, but no definite run of stone could be found. As the Company up to this time had expended over L 12,000 on the venture it was thought advisable to gi?e the shareholders some relaxation | from the very heavy and constant calls, , which the nature of the work necessitated, \ by discontinuing operations for some time until the lode shall be further developed i in the adjoining mine when previous surI veys can be chocked by more accurate cal- \ cnlations, based upon a re-survey of the | ground, when the lesser distances will ensure a more precise estimate. In the. meantime it ib intended to obtain protecs tion for the ground and workings. Fiery Cross. — A crushing of a small parcel of stone was completed on Saturday last with very good results, viz., over one ounce per ton. The stone is taken, from the south winze and the southern end of the block, which is of fair quality at this place with every appearance of continuance to the next winze north, where good I stone is also on view. The distance be- , tween the two winzes is 200 feet, and operations will now be directed towards this block, which, considering the height of backs, will take a considerable time to work out. The reef is pitching north, and it is therefore more than probable that the stone will last to the northern boundary of the ground, some 400 feet distant. Late developments have caused inquiry after the Company's stock at slightly advanced figures. New poppet heads are now being erected, as the old ■ structure

showed signs of decay. It is intended to wind from the bottom of the south winze, along portion of the 450-foot level, and thence up the shaft, in one pull, and it is therefore necessary to provide strong appliances for haulage. Reform. — The distance of 40 feet is nowdriven by the present contractors for extending the existing bottom level from the shaft towards the old workings. . Comstock.— The ground formerly held this Company has lately been: gazetted as cancelled, but was immediately taken up by -Mr M. Wynn, jnr; 1 , who has posted notice of application for a special claim including the old ComstocFand Garden Gully leases. The- locale is north and adjoining the Homeward Bound lea3es, which again joins the north boundary of the Welcome. I • Keep-it Dark.— Last month's operations did not result up tb : expectations owing to a mullock bank suddenly becoming mixed up with the lode. However, the^yieldfor four weeks' crushing! gave a sufficient rereturn to enable the directors todeclare the regular monthly dividend, which this time . isls per 20,000 th share. ? The 'mullock is nowagain disappearing ans an improved yield is expected. Shares are in. demand. > The battery was stopped a few hours yesterday owing to some slight damage to the race, caused by a' horse falling into it. No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark.— The tunnel of ■; the Company has now reached a length of 300 feet and isstillbeing extended in the direction of the Nil Desperandum and Keep-it-Dark mines. The track of the reef is being followed with the intention of sinkingps soon as a regularly 1 ; defined lode appears., HithertQr/only broken quartz with here and there 1 a partial chain of boulders have been noticed in driving > but as these are considered unmistakeable evidences of the proximity, of a reef sanguine expectations of its ultimate dis- : covery are entertained. The ordinary .= half-yearly meeting of shareholders was to '. have taken place on Wednesday last but , was adjourned for want of a quorum. The : very heavy rain falling that time prqbably prevented a majority of shareholders ?• attending. / Nil Desperandum.— The bad weather experienced during the week has somewhat retarded the progress of the contract for constructing the winding plant, but nevertheless the work is being pushed on with all possible vigor. Wealth of Nations. — A crushing of a small parcel of stone was commenced on Tuesday, but is not yet concluded.' Only*. part of the battery is used. Golden Treasure. — The stone reported last week as having been found did not prove continuous. This morning, however, about a foot of good looking stone was struck in the uprise, which is now 35 feet from the level. The grquridVheip has undergone a complete change and has every appearance of golden country. The lode will be broken into this afternoon. Tnkerman.— Thirty heads of stampers are how with fair regularity operating on stone, which is plentiful and of average quality. The sinking of the winze was, for the present^ discontinued at 90 feet. Thirty-three men are employed about the mine. , ( Happy Valley. —The incline shaft has now attained a depth of 110 feet, at which point a chamber is being cut out with the view of opening out at this level. Some very good stone was followedj.all through ' the sinking of the winze, and the lode at the bottom measures about 2ft. An application has been made by the manager to consolidate the two leases, now held by the company, into a special claim to enable the holding of the ground under one tide.