MINING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8861, 19 July 1890, Page 5 (Supplement)

MINING.

NOTES FROM WAKATIPU.

(FaOJI ODT. Ow?f COIiREfiPOUDKNT.) Abuow, July 14.—Slgna continue to point to a boominraininfthereinthonoarful.ui'o. Therearetwo new applications fur ipsolal claims nt the Cfardrona, on the strencth of the prospects obtained by Pew Hoy nnd pnrty the other week, ns reported. The claim In which tho prospects were obtained was privately floated in a fuw days, aud the organisation of tho company is pushed ahead with all possible sneed, to that tha steam whistle will soon aeho through the Cardrona Valley for the first time. Ftazoli and party ate pushing ahead in aplte of the froat with the construction of their head race, and several other parties, both private and public, are

energetically kicking their several concerns into shape. The Sunrise (Macetown) Company's prospects have continued improving Bince my telegram of last Thursday, and are developing a» promising a thoot of stone as has ever been worked at Macetown. At the end of last week the reef hid widened out to between 4ft and sft, showing gold all through the stone, which in the Sunriie qußrtz is something

exceptionnl, as even when rich, gold is rarely visible In it.

The Premier Company.underthenewpropriolary, have made a start with the;preHminarles for opening out the new low level tuunel, for which plaua and specifications aro now being prepared, with a yiow to letting the work by contract. Quartz raising from the old part of the mine is going ou at the samo time, and as there are about 120 tons at grass, orushing -will begin bo aoon as the frost will allow. Tlie Tipperary Company, Macetown, are making a call of Is per share, which seems to indicate buslSeveral other mines at Macetown. are likely to be taken in hand again daring the coming summer, and activity will once mote become general at thejelonK dormant reefs. The Waliatipu and Kawarau dredges expect to be at work with their new large boilers before the current mocth is out. In the meantime both dredges— especially the Kawarau—have done a certain amount of prospecting work, which should give the shareholders a good insight into the value of their respective claims—that is, if they ara allowed to paiticipat9 in the knowledge accumulated. As the directors have not seen fit to make any of it public, it may be mentioned for the benefit of those interested, that the local directors—p.moDgst whom are some of the promoters of these companies—like wise men, as thoy are, do not depend altogether upon their export's opinion of their properties, although they deemed it good enough for placing before the publlo ■vrhen offering the contributing chares, have done a great amount of prospecting which, if divulged, muat have an interesting tale to toll. Of course I do not wish to infer that this prospect-

ing work is doua with any bat the best Intention, but I think the shareholders who And the money for doing the work have a right to know the result of tho outlay, and not allow it to be locked up in the bo3orm of the promoters and directors for their sole and exclusive delectation. As it is, the shareholders in mining companies are far too much in the hands of their respective diroctors and managers. Publicity, whlcli is so asslduloutly courted by promoteis while promoting, is too often regarded as a very bugbear and as a thing utterly to be abhorred, except for certain purposes, when orjee their object has been attained. On thiß head the Lake County Frees makes the following very guarded remarks.—" We havo heard, on what we consider fairly reliable authority, that during the trials with the Wakatipu dredße, with its machinery in an imperfect state, as is now practically admitted, some 41b weight of gold was obtained. This speaks well for the quality of the ground, as little or no bottom was got at." Tho Golden Bar Company, Lower Shotover, are about to launch their dredge in a day or two, and as nearly all the machinery is upon the ground, it will probably not be long before the dredge will be at full work.

The Morning St or dredge was successfully launched last week, and is having her fittings plaoedon board as fast as possible, and will be delving for the precious metal in a short time.

Upon the Shotover considerable aotivity prevails In dredging from end to end of tho river, and upoa Its banks many parties are busy—mostly at profitable work.

The Gallant Tip have let two contracts having for their object the better opening of the mine. The battery is being subjeoted to a general overhaul in view of the demand likely to be made apon it. The Pbcenix at Skippers is opening on. the splendid stone from which the last cake was obtained, aDd drives for tapping the lode at various points are being pushed ahead. At the Head of the Lake dredging Is likely to bo started upon tho Dart and_ Buoklerburn during the coining summer, and it is reported that tho new owners of the Invincible Company have decided upon a plan of opening the mine. tome of the other.reefs in the same neighbourhood are said to ba likely to be taken up again, bo that it will be seen that the revival is not confined to one part of the district nor to one claBS of raining, but that the improvement will be general in the fullest nense of the term. Nothing but a failure of, the water supply—which it mint be admitted is Imminent—can prevent an exceedingly prosperous ueaaon for next summer.

While pushing a log in front of a circular saw in a mill at Croydon, r lad named Dryden bad one of his: hands caught by the biw, and one of his fingers ha<fc to be amputated.