MINING JOTTINGS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2651, 30 October 1906, Page 5

MINING JOTTINGS.

The Victorian gold yield for the nine months of the current year was 615,2770z gross or 574,4470z fine, valued at £2,423,110, which is 47,2690z, worth roughly £200,000 more than was won in the corresponding period in 1905. The goldlields of Otago, including Southland, produced 45,1150z of gold, valued at £186,321, during the quarter ended September 30, 1906. The quantity produced by Southland County totalled 16,4800z, of the value of £66,921. Vincent County came next with 11,9340z, followed closely by Tuapeka County with 11,4320z. Fiord County produced 3oz, valued at £l2. One of the greatest alluvial tin mines in the world is the Tronoh, situated in the Malayan State of Perak. During 1905 it produced 2,375 tons of black tin, realising £193,798, at a cost of £93,355, which works out at about £4O 15s per ton. Dividends amounting to 30 per cent, on the capital were paid, after carrying £41,635 to the credit of profit and loss.

During the discussion on the Mining Act Amendment Bill, the Minister of Mines said that he had received some pretty strong criticism from one of the Otago University professors because he ( Mr M'Oowan) had said that the University did not produce mine managers. "I hold exactly the same opinion now as then," he continued. Notwithstanding attendance at college, no matter how difficult their papers may he and how long they attend, without practical underground experience they are not capable mine managers—that is, not as capable as those who have had the practical experience. Mr M'Gowan admitted that they would do survey work and work in the higher branches of mining, and said, also, that while it was from the Otago Mining School that some of our best men had come, it had to be remembered that that school had been supplied with some of its best material in the shape of scholarship boys from schools of mines in various parts of the colony. He explained that in the clause just mentioned there was no intention to allow anyone, simply because he had attended classes at the university, to take up .1 position as mine manager.

REPORT OF SUOTOVER CONSOLIDATED MINING CO., LTD. The Shotover (lonsolidated Mining Company (Ltd.) has been formed by the amalgamation of the Ophir Mining Company (Ltd.) with the Shotover Quartz Mining Company, Ltd. (no liability). The object of the amalgamation is to make the uncalled capital of the Ophir Mining Co. available for the working of both properties. The new company has a capital of £15,000, divided into 14,000 shares of £1 each. Its objects iuclude the objects of the amalgamating companies, and such other powers as may be deemed expedient. The undertakings of the amalgamating companies are made over to the new com-

piny, which pays all the costs in connection with the formation of the same. The 14,000 shares forming the capital of the new company are allocate! thus :—-The Ophir Mining Company (Ltd.) receives 3000 shares fully paid up to £l, ami the Shotover Quartz Mining Company, Ltd. (no liability) receives 5000 shares fully paid up to £l, while the Ophir Mining Company has arranged for applications from subscribers who have been approved by both boards for 3000 contributing shares of £l each, such subscribers to be entitled to a bonus in paid-up shares of £1 for each £1 of contributing capital paid to the new company, and may pay up the contributing shares in full at any time if they so desire, but reserve to themselves the right to pay the whole of the contributing shares in full at any time, and to be entitled to the bonus shares. The new company has re-timbered part of the main drive at Shotover, anal is pushing it ahead. Developments are expected in the course of the next few months. Meantime operations at Mathinna in Tasmania are suspended pending developments in the Golden Gate Company's mine, which adjoins. DREDGING RETURNS. Following .ire the dredging rnturitH fin tl<e weekended Saturday last: oz ilwt Golden Gate ... ... 50 9 Waikaka United No. 2... 47 0 Waikaka United 1 ... 39 2 Rue and Shine 2 ... 35 10 Rising Sua .. ... 2S 5 Waimumu Queen ... 27 1 Golden Run 27 0 Rise and Shine 1 ... 2(5 17 Uhioatio 24 8 Golden Bed 22 2 Waikaka 21 6 Pant IS 12 Kttiiak 17 10 Enterprise ... ... 16 10 Waikaka Queen ... 16 7 Royal Waimumu ... 13 17