MINING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIII, Issue 13714, 3 April 1905, Page 5

MINING.

J r <►-1 | WEST COAST NOTES.. ! [Feoji Our C!or-rksi'ov»i-:n"t.] GItEYiiOUTH, April 2. The past week has brought about a great change and improvement on the West Const gcnrrally. x\ll industries were more or less suffering from the continued drought, there having boon little or no rain for four months past. The weather, however, broko on Wednesday r.ig-ht and gave forty-cisht hours of a fairly copious and steady rainfall, clearing out the rivers and creeks, which were very low and blocked with debris, and enabling- mining to be vigorously prosecuted. The whole of tho sluicing claims, which had been idle for some time past, resumed work, while several dredfring claims were enabled to replace the thick, muddy- water ill their dams with a clear supply, which, of course, means more efficient working. During the March quarter 26,0250 z of- gold were exported from Groymouth. Ijast month accounts for CGOfjo:: of the total. Pactolns returns tjtnl 107 oz, which leavesa very handsome- margin of profit on tho week's working-. The rivedgemaster states that both dr.-clges are at present in light, good-looking w-i.-h. a large quantity of which is being turned over. Jamie-ion's Reward, notwithstanding- the fact that several layers of silt were worked throughout, f.ct 40oz, which enabled t-ha directors to declare a dividend of Ei.tpence. This is the fourth dividend in six weeks. Surface appearances would indicate a continuance of tho present yields for a good time to come. Bigneli's Notown obtained 3loz. The- wa.Sli ht.s perhaps, fa Hen off slightly, though the dredge was working on the poor side of tho face. Timber is not so troublesome as before. Notown Creek (aOoz). The local shareholders are now confident that similar yields will bo obtained ritht up the cut. and indications would !!ca to bear this out. At present tho jrronnd is shout 2Sft deep, while the wash proper b. thickening prsrlrinily. CdJlhrluhiV Creek obtained Mot. from the fring-e of a fist which it is proposed to work in the future. Reevjs' Proprietary total yield was 390 z. Ths wash still continues rough, but hope' .ire held of a decided improvement taking placo shortly. 4 ■Amilcitea, in Ccniral Bulier, is again in full swing. ■Kohinonr is now working down stream, whom it is anticipated good gold will be struck. [Pur Press /tssocjivriox.] WESTPORT, April 2 Tha coal outtmi. Isrt week was 9341 tons 18c:v/t, of which fi!J9l ten? IScwt were from the West-port Coal Company's mines, and 858 tons from the Seddonville State mine. KEEFi'ON, April 2 ■ Dredging- Rc-tnrn.7—Pa.eto.us No. 2 Gsoz. Pactolns No. 1 -420 z, Caiiagha.n's Creek SDoe. New Fcdderson's is stiil idle, owing to the. non-arrival of the main shaft from Westport, where it is undergoing repairs. [Pzrt Press Assorjr.vr-roN.] DUNEDIN, '-Auril 2. Di-rtdsrivig Return?—Now Fourteen-mile Reach UJoiMiiwi, Muddy Creek 570 z 3dwt. Alexandra I.er.d 6dnt, O-oldcn Red 3-loz 12dwt. Chica-o 3202 lTdwf. Ri-:e a:id Shine I. \\"aikaks United 30c; 3«wt, Majestic 2:loz, New IPcrsoveranco 11. f.cyal Waimiunu 270 z Idwt, New Roxburgh Jubilee 2Coz lOclwt, Mnsterlon £-2oz 6dwt, ivlolyjicuK Hydraulic 220 z tdwt, Sneddon's Freehold 22o;:, Waimumu 21o'z 17dwt, Upper. Waipori 20oz Sdwt, Wj.ikaka Queen ' yucz Sdwi, C'.vdo 20oz. Pi'-T----ISoz -i-Kdwt, Waikr.ka, ,15s 6d. Ngapara 111 Ifriz Bdwt, V,"aikal:a Syndicate l!oz Oeiwt-, G'rig Uoz tldwt, IMscCharlton lOoz 15dwt, Enterprise 11. lOcz 3dwt 3gr. Mr H. A. Bruce, secretary to the Reeves's Proprietary Gold-dredging Company, Limited, has received the following returns from the dred gem aster:— No. 1 dredge, 2Unz for 104 hours'work; No. 2 dredge, 12Aoz for 110 hours' work. The Al Go"d Dredging Company's return was lloz 17dwt for 114 hcurs' work*