MINING NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 5363, 7 December 1885, Page 2

MINING NEWS.

(herald mining reporter.) Reefxon, December 3. Welcome. — Very satisfactory results were obtained last Saturday for the week's crushing, and this week promises good returns also. It is probable that the present crushing will be concluded some day next week when a general cleaning up will be made. The mine, in the No. 8 level, is not yet fully opened out so that constant supply for the battery cannot at present be depended upon. In the meantime good progress is being made both north and south, the level being now about 60 feet. The average width of stone is now about 2 feet, but in the north end the reef seems to be making larger than hitherto. The perpendicular of the north winze having been reached here, it is intended to rise for a connection. Only about 30ft of solid intervenes. Fiery Cross. — The small crushing which is now going on for the Company will be finished this week, after which the tributaries will have the use of the mill for two or three weeks. The stone being raised by them is taken from the unper levels towards the Walhalla boundary, where the lo^e is of good dimensions with fair gold. The reef lately struck in the bottom level is being followed by the company with fair prospects, but the stone, going north, is now and again somewhat broken, as yet, but appears, however, to be assuming a more solid nature as driving progresses. Just-in-Time. — Very fair progress is being made in the uprise, which is now about 100 fe»t high. The country is getting somewhat harder and the average raising this week is correspondingly less, tributaries for portions of the mine in the upper ievels have made a fair start and seem to be satisfied with their prospects. Hopeful. — This mine has for some time been let on tribute and a sufficient parcel of quartz has accumul ted for a crushing before Christmas. It is probable that the Just-in-Time portion of the upper battery will be in operation next week for the Hopeful tributaries, who are very sanguine of good results. Reform. — Driving is still being continued on the lately discovered reef in the bottom level, but the lode at present is not as solid as it was last week. This, however, is of little importanc as it is characteristic of the reefs generally in this district, where changes occasionally occur. It: is probable that the country will change, perhaps in a few feet or so, and I the lode assume regularity and solidity. j Boatman's Creek Low Level Tunnel.— Nothing of importance to report this week. Work is being continued with usual despatch and the country is assuming a more likely appearance of the vicinity of quartz. December 4. Keep-it-Dark. — Some time since a winze was started from the present bottom level and is now in course of sinking, the depth at present being 20 feet. It is intended to sink altogether 150 feet, by which mbans it will be easy to ascertain the exact position of the reef in the next level before the expensive works of continuing the main shaft and driving a long distance, say 500 feet, to intersect the lode, is undertaken. The stone in the mine is improving in quality as evidenced by the yield of amalgam last week. The general cleaning up was made on Satuaday last, and the directors have declared the regularly occurring monthly dividend. The cam shaft in the battery gave way the other day and had to be replaced ; but as the Company, fortunately, possessed a duplicate only about 12 hours' delay occurred. i Inangahua Low Level Tunnel Company.—The usual ordinary meeting of shareholders was held on last Monday, when a large number of shares were represented. The report of the surveyor to the company stated the length of the tunnel to be 1979 ft, of which 1212 ft had been driven on the original straight line, and 767 ft in the new direction as approved by the Gfo«

vernment. As the air was becoming deficient an additional supply had been obtained through a spray of water at an elevation of 80ft. The last 200 ft of the tunnel had passed through a slaty formation containing water and carrying small leaders of quartz. The progress made during the last six months was reported by the directors at 224 feet. The erports and balance sheet, submitted, were approved and adopted. The election

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of directors resulted as follows :— Meßßrs C. B. King, Waylin, C. Cohen, G;B. Shepherd, and J. Kilgour. Mr W Hindmarsh was reappointed auditor. It was resolved that the next contract for the extension of the tunnel should be for 500 feet. The directors were instructed to ascertain from fch* Government the probability of obtaining a subsidy in the even* of the Company undertaking to start the tunnel also from the other end of the i line, viz. from the Left-Hand Branch end. The undertaking of this work would open a large extent of refining country, which it would take years to approach from the Black's Point side of the range. Wealth nf Nations.— The incline shaft WAiich was started some -two or three weeks since in the battery level is now i£ff f down , about 15 feet. It is intended to 150 feet, and as it would be too wind up by hand, awater-■-^..wEeel will be erected for winding pur- *' poses. No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark.— A tender was accepted on .Thursday for sinking a — winze 50 feet from the present level, and - -also for a rise therefrom to the Burface. -i This point selected for the work is at the north end of the block of quartz followed for some distance in the tunnel.