59 YEARS AGO

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1935, Page 8

59 YEARS AGO

Gold Mining in Reefton (From the Scrap Book of Beu McDonagh, Westport.) February 18th, 1876.—At the District Court, the case Independent Company v. Energetic, a claim for £1324 damages for encroachment, closed yesterday, after four days ’ hearing. The Independent was non-suited with costs. Six counsel were engaged. Crushing Company, Murray Creek:— Last week there were 2101bs of stone from Adams Bros’ new prospecting claim, Soldiers, reduced at the company’s works. The quantity of gold obtained was 13dwts 12grs. The stone is said to have been a fair sample of the whole of that part of the reef exposed on the surface.

Golden Ledge; All hands are stoping and driving north of the shaft and below the main level. The reef is nearly three feet thick.

Independent.—The direct damage caused by the late fire has been nearly repaired, and stone will bo again going along the tram to the mill early in the present week.

Wealth of Nations.—There were scraped from the plates and boxes on the 28th ult. 574 ounces lOdwts of amalgam, which retorted with former amounts in hand, yielded 460 ounces 16dwts of melted gold. The battery and water wheel are to receive a thorough overhaul, as also the water race, which will necessitate a stoppage of crushing operations for two weeks. There are no returns from the National or Anderson’s, as both are driving, with a view of getting as much stone as possible to be included ir the current crushing. February 28th.: Energetic.—On the 19th instant, 229 ozs, of retorted gold was obtained. This run was from the plates for the past week, and the proceeds of the boxes of twenty stampers for a run of three weeks.

Vulcan.—Owing to quantity of water, work in the shaft has been suspended until the tunnel is carried in, which will take six weeks.

Keep It Dark.—The yield of gold still continues highly satisfactory. Defiance.—Work in the tunnel is now much easier, the immediately hard stone having been pierced and soft diiving with much water has been met with.

Boyal Standard.—Operations are sus pended for the present.

Bainy Creek.—-Crushing will not be commenced until early in April. No. 2 South, Larry’s.—Present indications give promise of a satisfactory clearing up. The proceeds of the gold obtained are estimated to suffice to pay off the existing and future liability to that date, leaving a balance of some £4OO or £5OO for future operations.

Caledonian, Larry’s.—The reef has been struck, containing very good gold. lhe fact has been known for some little time in well-informed quarters, but not made public.' Golden Gate.—Cancellation of this lease was recently gazetted and the ground re-applied for. The claim is situated south and adjoining the Hercules.

Calls due on the Bth March: Inglewood 2d; Perseverance 2d; Alexandra 43; Inkerman -Id; Larry Creek 3d; SilJules Vogel 3d. March 21st, 1876:

Hopeful.—The company cleaned up during the week, with the result of 1189 ounces of melted gold from 880 tons of stone. A dividend of 5/- per share, representing a sum of £2052 10/- has been declared.

No. 2 South, Larry’s.—The gold was brought into town on Thursday, the weight being 350 ounces of retorted gold. The result of six weeks crushing. The mine looks well, the paddocks being full and plenty of stone in view. The stampers will again be at work on Monday.

Boatman’s Creek.—Stone raised during the past fortnight is estimated to yield 1-Jozs. to the ton. Keep It Dark.—The yield of the last crushing was 920 z sdwts of amalgam from 604 tons of stone. Golden Ledge.—Three hundred and sixty tons crushed in four weeks, have given from the plates alone 216 ozs. of amalgam.

Wealth of Nations.—The last crushing reported yielded 2050z5. of amalgam. Mr. Rathby of the Inangahua Crushing Company, has been entrusted with the charge of 'curing’ the tables for the Rainy Creek Quartz Mining Company, preparatory to crushing. The batteries will be set in motion about the end of the current month.