THE GOLDFIELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3367, 20 November 1872, Page 7

THE GOLDFIELDS.

Tho following were the quantities of gold brought to Dunedin by the last escort;—

From time to time we have noted the manufacture, in Dunedin, of rjnartzcrusbrng machinery for the Tip-country reefs, but with the departure of the machinery for its destination all public notice of it, ho far as Dwnedin is concerned, has ceased. It may therefore be of interest to state that a five-head quartz battery, made and fitted np by Mr W. Wilson, at tho Otago Foundry, Dunedin, for Messrs G. and J. Duncan, Shag Valley, has been found to work very satisfactorily indeed. Messrs Duncan aay that the machinery works "as smoothly and pleasantly as we could have desired ;" and after crushing about 300 tons of stone, it " stands as firm as the day it was put up." No stoppage, moreover, has ever beqn caused by any fault connected with the battery. Messrs Duncan conclude by saying—" We would wish for no better machinery." In view of such testimony as this, we hope to hear no more of machinery being ordered in Melbourne for Otago use.

The pneumatic tube apparatus to be used by the Company of which Mr Malcolm M'Leunan ia manager, for raining gold from the bed of the Molyneux, has been manufactured at Mr Wilson's Otago Foundry, and sent up to Clyde. It is now being put together there, and everything is being done to enabJe active mining operations to be commenced as soon as feasible. It is expected that work will lie commenced by the beginning of next year.

There have boon three sample crush iiif*s lately at the Government Battery. Mr 0. F. Roberts, Rough Ridge, Mount Ida, fonvarded 2 tons 2cwt of stone from a claim formerly known as the Great Eastern, but now as the Energetic Company. The total yield from this quantity of stone, which was taken from a depth of 40ft., was 2ojs. Kkhvt. 0 grains. The tailings, after all the gold that cou'd Imj extracted from them at the Government Battery had been extracted, were oxjxjrimonted upon by Professor Black, who got lass than a grain of gold out of them—a fact which goes to show that they had boon carefully treated. 1 Urn ',i cwt of stone, forwarded by Messrs Heron und Nott, from Fourteen Mile Beach, Mount Benger, yielded 9 dwts. 5 gra. Messrs J. C Holmes and Co., of the Gabriel's Rock Quartz Mining Co., Tuapekn, had 2 tons 4 cwt. of stone, taken from a'depth of 100 feet in that claim, lately crushed at the Government Battery. The result whs not encouraging, tho yield from tho whole of the stone being only I dwt. 15grs.

The Waikouaiti Herald says that the Shag Valley reefs "arc undoubtedly rising in tho estimation of experienced and practical men, the great drawback to working them successfully and profitably being the want of witter, increased facilities for crushing, and capital. Having personally visited the reefs last week, and examined the stone, we upeak with some degree of authority on the subject."

Our Green Inland correspondent writes: After a long delay and conflicting negotiations, tho Dunedin Quartz Mining Company have commenced operations at the Saddle Hill quartz reef, with every prospect of success. The machinery erected consisting of two batteries, each containing five stampers, and driven by an engine of 20 horse power—appears to be well adapted for the work. The most approved appliances for the conservation and retention of the gold eliminated are said to be fixed in connection therewith, while 10 to 12 tors of quartz are daily manipulated. To supply the machinery with water a dam has been constructed at a few hundred yards from the work, consisting of a dyke 12 feet wide, ingeniously and substantially built of sod, with a pipe communicating with a shallow trench, by means of which an ever constant rill supplies the machinery. Of the quantity of quartz brought to the surface, i shall not attempt an estimate, in case it might be considered a " miserable puff." It is considered by practical quartz minors that the reef is an extensive one, but as to the system of operations aa at present conducted, the less Raid the bettor ; for unless greater attention be bestowed, there is a probability of a collapsing of the ground, and a disappearing of the reef altogether. Evidently a thoroughly practical quartz miner is required to commence operations on a in ore scientific scale.

Our Tuapeka correspondent, in his letter in our issue of the 2f3th nit., says :— " The mines at the Blue Spur seem to be rather dull at present, in consequence of the stoppage of the working of Morrison and Co.'s claim, in obedience to the inJHnctioii obtained in the Snpreme Court ; and business in general ia not very active lioro at present." In a subsequent letter he states; — "At- the Blue Spur .some of the water races about the head of Gabriel's Gully gave way last week, and the result was that a large quantity of stones and mud lias been deposited' about Casey's claim; but I understand efforts are being made to clear this away. The works of the Gabriel's Gully Quart?: Company are approaching completion. The tramway from the mine to the battery (about an eighth of a mile in length) is now complete, and is constructed with three rails. Full trucks Trill bo let down to the hopper by a wire rone from a 4ft. cast szetal Vhirn, to which is attached a powerful hand-brake. The shed, which is 30ft. by 42ft. r and 16ft. in height, is nearly finished, and great labour had been bestowed by the Company in making the foundation for the same, which has princijpally been cut from the solid rock. The battery, ripple 3, &c., are of the best description, have the latest improvements, and arc on a self-acting principle. A powerful 3ft turbine wheel supplies the motive power, to which the water is conveyed by a small reserve- dam. The declivity is steep, and will yield about 40 horse power, which will be sufficient for 10 heads of stampers. Messrs Kincaid and M'Qiieen, of Dunedin, made and fitted up the machinery, and the shod has been erected by Mr Alexander Humphrey, builder, of Lawrence. Both aro executed ia a style deserving of all praise- Great credit ia also due to Mr Squires, th? .manager, for .his untiring zeal in the matter.

A larg* ntunber of Chinese are now located in the Adam's Flat and Woolshed districts, awi parties of 30 or a» continue

to arrive from. Toapeka erery few days. These say, "Tuapekano good for Chinamen," but they seem to be picking tip * considerable quantity of gold in the dintricts mentioned, j Our Cromwell correspondent informs i» thai " mining work throughout the Cromwell District is now in fit ll swing, but with what success remains to be ptwyed. Reefing work especially is being rigorously carried on, but with only fitful gleams of success as yet. The Star of the East finished crushing last week, somewhere about 200 tons, with a result of 103 ounces. This result was rather discouraging to the shareholders, as a larger return had been confidently anticipated. It clears expenses, however, I believe, and the future in looked forward to hojMjfully. The last crushing of the Heart of Oak surprised, while it gratified, every one connected with it. The Company is again crushing, and another good yield is expected. If anything like the same result is obtained, I venture to predict that the shareholders will receive a larger dividend than even the last of t«n shillings per share. The Elizabeth Company are just about washing tip, hut I cannot speak with any certainty of their prospects. Sufficient to clear their expenses, I dare say, and a little over. They have been very unlucky lately, but are still pushing the work, and with the moat rigid economy. Thy Colleen Bawn Co. (a company lately registered) are sinking on a reef adjoining the Elizabeth, whether the same or not haa yet to bo proved. They arc now raising 100 tons for crushing. The last crashing of theirs, of 20 tons, went rather more than an ounce, and this present one is expected to surpass it considerably My own opinion is, judging from last crushing, the'■■present appearance of the stone (and some iifty ions are at grass), that it will go about ll<<z. to the ton. All the shareholders appear determined to stick to it for a while, at any rate. On the other side of the spur, where the John Bull, Nil Dcsperaudum, Golden Gate, and Robert Bunts, aro situate, the I John Bull ia most in favour, and deservedly ao. Nil Dcsperandum, however, is mngt forward in the work line, as there is a battery ready to start at once, and a heap of stone to begin upon. The battery is one erected for the company by Mr Alves. There are so many contradictory opinions regarding the Nil that it will bo the safest thing to let it speak for itself. Of tho Robert Burns or the Golden Gate nothing can bo said in the meantime. They remain to be proved. Tho Carrick Ran^e Water Supply Company has made a fair start with its longexpected race. About 31 or 4 miles of cutting are let under contract, and about one mile, I should think, is already finished. The Company has applied for a Government loan of £'4000, but no reply has yet been received. The Government hampers its assistance with a great number of- -I had almost said impracticable— conditions, which go far to make its assistance of little or no avail. I, myself, think it a pity the Company did not make one good strogglo to carry through the work without Government help. If they once get a couple of heads of water through, nothing but a little time would be required for tho final completion of tho race. When finished, after the interval which must be allowed for the banks of new races to settle and consolidate- themselves, the Carrick Range Water Race will bo one of the best paying specs on tho Goldiields." In the Bendigo portion of the district, " the Cromwell Company ele.-ined up last week, from a crushing of a largo quantity of poor stuff. The result is not known, but as very little was expected from it, a poor result would not disappoint the Company. A considerable number of the men employed by this Company have been discharged lately, with ! a view, I suppose, to working with the utmost economy. It is a Company that deserves well, and I hope to be able to re- j port something good of it soon. A report spread lately that tho Company intended to register under the Mining Limited Liability Act, but it appears to have been without foundation. The Lucknow (late . Colclough) Company in calling for tenders for driving a tunnel at a low level, for the j double purpose of working and draining the mine. The tunnel will take three months, at least, to drive ; it cannot bo much less than 500 feet ; and till it i» ! finished, nothing can bo heard from the 1 Lucknow Company. A 500 feet tunnel ia a big venture to take ofl' tho hands of an insolvent company, but I emphatically think it ia a drive in the right direction. The matter will be finally determined whether the reef is a payable one or not. If not, the first loss will be the last. I saw the old shaft tho other day, and it had 60 or 70 feet of water in it. Now this shaft is about 110 or 120 feet deep, and as tho tunnel will striko the reof 10 or 20 feet lower than that, it may easily bo reckoned what a saving of time and effectiveness tho tunnel will produce. The mouth of the tunnel will also open right into the crushing paddock, saving the cartage and windlass work. The Aurora Company has rented its once celebrated claim and crushing plant to another party on tribute for a period of three years, and there is every present prospect of its turning out a good spec, for the tributers." | Our Clyde correspondent writes:— " Lindsay and party arc pushing their race towards completion. They anticipate to bo in full work before Christmas. This is a portion of the old Pioneer Company's wator, and is now being made available on the terraces of the Wai Keri Keri Valley. Their claim promises to bo a good one, as the little water they can collect before the race is in gives them fair returns, and is a great assistance to them in carrying on their enterprise. The Pneumatic Company are pushing their works with great vigour. The greater portion of the plant is on the ground. It consists of a six-horse power portable engine, with the latest improvements, and a lot of gearing. Several of the sections of the cylinder are put together. They are formidable-looking things, composed of wrohght-iron plates, riveted together, so as to be air and water-tight. TheCompanyanticipategettingeverything ready to make a start in about six or seven weeks."

Oar Macraes Flat correspondent writes :—" I paid a visit during the past week to the Shag Valley reefs, and was much struck on observing the extraordii nary improvement a few months had made in what was originally almost an unknown part of the country. Numerous and well-made roads intersect the gully in which one finds the reefs in several directions, and form a capital source of communication from one part of the works to another. Unfortunately, neither of the engines was working, the one helonging to the Perseverance Company being stopped on acccount of an accident to one of the wheels the previous day. A walk of about fifteen minutes from this engine brought me to the place whence they were getting their stone, and I had much pleasure in exploring, through the courtesy of some of the men working on the ground, the different bores that had been made in pursuit of the quartz. One of these bores was of considerable length, I and almost high enough to enable a man j of ordinary dimensions to stand upright <

in it Opposite this claim, and with a small creek dividing, there is the one belonging to Messrs Harrey, Ball, and Co., out I saw no'one working in it. This Company lately bought the engine and imirJiinory formerly usrd .by the Duke ol■■>*«ti*ibprj»l). Company on this Hat. The removal of the engine is now bring arranged, so that crushing will be commenced at an early date. Want of time prevented me from visiting the Messrs Duncan's claim, but from what I could gather from hearsay, that Company, like the others, appear well satisfied with their reef, and have no reason to complain of an insufficient quantity of gold in the quartz. Notwithstanding a considerable/amount of washing up on this goldfield lately, I have noticed very little, if any, decrejise in the supply of water contained in the various dams belonging to the different Companies."

Says our Naseby correspondent:—" So it appears that the Government have at last proir.ised to proceed with the long-talked-of race from the Upper Manuherikia to this place, in connexion with the sludge channel, both of which are to be commenced immediately. As regards the race, it i« not likely to be available in the immediate neighbourhood for some time, as it will be very long (I understand about GO miles) ; but in its course a very large tract of country known to be auriferous will bo opened up, thereby adding to the importance of the district and its general welfare. There is plenty of wat«r at present, and mining operations arc in full swing, so far as the supply extends, and doubtless some good waahings-up will take place prior to the races next month."

"There is," our St. Bathans correspondent informs us, "but little to report in mining matters, beyond the fact that all hands are fully employed, and that water is abundant."

" There isj in truth," our Mount Benger correspondent tells us, "little mining in the Mount Benger district. Some 40 or 50 sluicing claims on the banks of the river, in a stretch of twenty miles, and you have pretty well summed it ap. Most of those claims, however, pay pretty well, an our escort returns show. Mr Woodhouse has bought a share in the Horse •Shoe Bend Company's Water Race and Claim. Aa he intends introducing the system of work which has made hia Teviot claim an examplo of perfect organisation and enterprise, there are some hopeH of a return to the palmy days of Dick and Isaacs. The dredge Yorkshire Lass has successfully passed through the (Jorge, although not without incurring serious danger. The made the same passage two years ago, and also performed the more difficult Feat of retracing her steps. The Yorkshire Lass is at present prospecting the beaches between the Talla and Beaumont, and as it is all new ground, her proprietors are confident of striking something good."

We hear that the population at the Nevis is increasing, and the men are making good wages, and that the race of the Nokomai Flat Gold Company is expected to be complete in a month's time.

*' In mining, as far as the European portion of the population is concerned, I have," says our Blacks correspondent, "nothing fresh to report. We have had a very large increase of Chinese during the last six weeks, and can now number about two hundred of this industrious class of miners. I must say they deserve great credit and large returns for the energy and perseverance they display in all their undertakings. There are four parties now at work on the flat, and their work, for neatness and strength, will bear favourable comparison with any executed by Europeans. A large, number of Chinese are working in the various gullies around Blacks, and if wo may judge by the money they spend at our stores, they are getting any quantity of the precious metal."

<MSL <Jwt*. Queen-stown ......... 2033? 19 Arrow 1896 18 DniMtan COO 0 Cromwell - W&I 0 Alexandra 664 4 Teriot „.- 540 2 Blacks ... MOO 0 Naaeby 162S 3 1>un8tan Cr««k 400 0 Jjiwrcnee 2012 0 Waipori 273 0 Switzers 900 0 Waxtabnna 590 9 Wnolshed 774 3 Palmerston 248 11 Macraes 320 7 Total ....15,875 1G