REEF TON MINING NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 866, 5 October 1888, Page 20

REEF TON MINING NEWS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Rbefton, October 3. Keep-it-Dark.—There has been a good demand for Darks during the week, and prices are quoted at 47s fid. The amount of retorted gold for the month is 7‘2oJoz from 895 tons of tons. A dividend of Is fid per share has been declared, leaving a good balance ou hand. Welcome. —The battery returns for the week are 901 oz of amalgam from 84 tons. This is a reminder of the crushings she used to have and the dividends that used to be declared. It is to be hoped that the old claim will continue to give such yields and regain the position she formerly held of being the richest and most valuable property in the district. Globe.—The returns from this olaim are stoadily on the increase, but owing to the size of the reef it will take some time to get at ths richer portions of the block, but tho gradual swellings of the returns|indicate that they are in the right direction, aUd in the course of a month better prospects will be reported. The weekly crushing is 4960 z amalgam from 190 tons of stone. Scotia.—The recent crushing of a small paroel of stone, scarcely a ton, gave the handsome return of lioz 19dwt figr. It is estimated the yield of stone will reach 15oz to the ton. The crushing shows that the neighbouring reefs are exceptionally rich. Just-in-Time.—The battery commenced crushing on Monday last. There is 100 tons of stone in the paddock, which will be increased during the crushing. Sir Francis Drake. —The weather has been exceptionally fine for some time. This has enabled the contractors to make rapid progress with the erectioa of the machinery. The Company expect to start crushing about the first week in November. There is no change to report in' the mine. Inkerman —The Compa.ny’s surveyor has about completed the plans for the aerial tramway. Tenders for the Bupply and construction of the work will bo invited immediately. The whole of.' the timber required is available along the lino, so that the erection of the plant will be speedily carried out. Golden Hill.—This property is of unusual dimension, being fully 100 acres. A reef has been struck m the low level, some distance from tho winze. It is small, but carries good gold. In driving along its course, which is the work now on hand, an improvement in stone and quality is expected. South Wealth of Nations.—During tho week blocks of gold-bearing quartz have been frequently met with. A considerable improvement in the prospects of the Company has sot in, and speculators are on tho qui vive on account of its locality. Progress.—The machinery has arrived in Greymouth, and weighs upward of nine tons. The engines are of the locomotive type, and very rpuoli better adapted for the goldfields than the fixed engine and boiler. No buil(ling-in is required. This will enable them the sooner to get into working order. Fiery Cross.—A great regularity exists in the size of the reef. This keeps the njill constantly going. The uprise on the boundary is up 13ft, and will shortly he holed through. The . battery returns show 208 oz amalgam from 102 tons of stone. No. 2 South Keep-it-Dark —30.0 tons of stone are ready for crushing, keeping 15 stamper heads going. The crushing for the week is 1920 z of amalgam from 80 tons of stone. Venus. —The mine manager reports 90 tons have been got during the week. Themaia drive has been driven Bft. No change to report in atopes. The crushing is 188 oz of amalgam for the week. Merrijigs.—The .manager reports that they are going aoross the strata,, and have driven 30ft through quartz, pug, &c„ with fine gold all througu it. Inglewood. —-The Upriao is being completed, and driving south from the level. The battery is being put in good order and crushing was to start on Monday last. Hurd-to-Find. —The manager reports shaft sunk 6ft, carrying good gold reef 2ft wide, well defined, and prospects moat favourable for the future of the mine. Lonehand is in hard country

Happy Valley.—The depth of the shaft is now 91ft, 3ft , having been sunk during the week. The width of the reef is 3ft on the east end and 3ft fiin on the west. The quality is the same ns Lyell. United Italy.—The battery started crushing on Monday last on a paroel of Btone for the Maruia Company. This will bo supplemented with the headings which have accumulated for years past. It is intended to put through about 100 tons, and if found payable the whole will also be put through. After this crushing tho Italy tributors will be ready for the battery, and with ;the two crushings it is anticipated that the stampers will be kept employed to the end of the year. United Alpine.—The number of levels has been extended 20ft during the week. The driving is still fair. The improvement in the reef worked by the tributors is still being maintained. Quotations. —Kcep-lt Dark, 47s fid, cum .div ; Globes, 29s ; Progress, 21s fid ; Alpines, 20s ; Fiery .Cross, 14s fid ; Big Rivers, 9s fid ; Venus, 7s ; Inglewood, 4s 3d ; Nils, 2s 6d ; Drakes, ss; Gallants, 3s ; Just-in-Time, 2s 3d; Reforms, 9d; Merrijigs, lOd ; Lord Edward, Is ; Golden Hill, fid ; Scotia, 2s.