MINING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11924, 24 December 1900, Page 6

MINING.

Tho Secretary of the Inch-holme Gold Dredging Company reports that the last wash up yielded Bloz gold for a little over a week. The dredge is making foi the terrace ground on the

The Secretary of the White Star Gold Dredging Company reports that the pontoons have "been completed, and now await the erection of machinery, the whole of which will be on tho claim within a fortnight. The work of fitting up will be commenced at once, and all going well the dredge will be at work about the middle of February.

OLD DUNSTAN GOLD DREDGING COMPANY.

The first annual meeting of shareholders in the Oltl Dunstan Gold Dredging Company was held on Tuesday, the 18th inst., about 12 shareholders (representing some 3000 shares) being present. Mr L. D. Mac George, chairman of directors, presided, and said that in the report reference was made to the delay .in getting on with the construction of the dredge. He could assure them that the delay was in no way traceable to the directors. On their part they used every effort—in "act, they had simply been retarded through the pressure of worlt amongst all classes that had existed during the present year in connection with the dredging industry. However, the pressure was now pretty well over, and, barring accidents, there was every hope of getting the dredge completed and at work by Juno next at the outside. Another matter was the large amount of arrears, as appearing in the balance sheet. Since the balance sheet was made up some £300 of the arrears had come in. The directors, however, considered the balance was still too large, and it is feared that it would be necessary to take legal proceedings unless payments were more promptly made. The question of amalgamation with the Dunstan Pioneer had been publicly rumoured—indeed the question had been discussed in the newspapers;—but from where the rumour sprang the directors had no knowledge, neither had they been approached by the other company, nor had they approached them. Whether an amalgamation was desirable had never been discussed by the directors. There being no discussion, Messrs MacGeorge and James M'Arthur were re-elected directors. Messrs Buchanan and Gye were reelected auditors. REPORTS FROM WORKING DREDGES. Tho Secretary of the Charlton Creek Gold Dredging Company reports a return of 30oz for five days' dredging. Tho Secretary of the Nevis Gold Dredging Company reports a return of 18oz lOdwt for 116 hours' work. The Secretary of the Unity Gold Dredging Company reports a return of soz for the week ending December 22. The dredge is now shut down for 10 days. The Secretary of the Richards's Beach Gold Dredging Company reports a return of Goz 15dwt Ggr for 48 hours' work. The Secretary of the New Alexandra Dredging Company reports a return of 20oz lodwt for 168 hours' dredging. The Secretary reports a return of 4oz from the Vincent dredge for 125 hours' work. The dredgemsater reports that the ladder lines fouled lower sheaves, but he will probably get the ladder lifted to-morrow. The Secretary of the Golden Beach "Dredging Company reports a return of s'ioz 13dwt 7gr for 125 hours' dredging. The Secretary of the Chicago Dredging Company reports, a. return of lloz 13dwt for 130 Mr J. J. Gibson, Lawrence, reports a. return of 13oz 7dwt from the Lawrence dredge last week. The Secretary of the Waimumu Queen Dredging- Company reports a return of 19oz for 123 hours' drcdgiugPt The Secretary reports a return of 18oz 12dv:t from tho Waimumu Central dredge for 12G hours' work. Mr L. llyan. Alexandra, reports the following return:—Molyneux Hydraulic dredge, 40oz 17dwt 2]gr for five days' dredging. The Secretary of the Manuherikia Dredging Company reports v, wash up of 14oz 3dwt. The river is up, and there is a. lot of drift. The Secretary of the Alexandra Eureka Dredging Company reports a return of 570z for tho week. She has stopped for two weeks' holiday. The Secretary reports a return of lloz 7dwt from the Waimumu Extended Dredging Company for 127 hours' dredging. The Secretary of the Matau Dredging Company reports a return of 40oz for the week. The Secretary of the Morning Star Dredging Company reports a return of IGoz for 130 hours' dredging. The Secretary of the Clyde Dredging Company reports a return ot ISoz lOdwt. The dredgemaster states that the river was up 6ft The Secretary of the Inch Valley Dredging Company reports a return of 9oz Gdwt. The Secretary reports a return of lOoz 14dwt from the Paul's Beach dredge for the weekended Saturday last. The high river interfered with operations. The Secretary of the-Golden Gate Dredging Company reports a return of 540z for six days' dredging.. The river is steady. The Secretary reports a return of 260z Gdwt from the Golden Treasure dredge for last week.

The Secretary reports that the Waimumu dredge did not wash up, as a new top tumbler is being put lip.

The Secretary of the Leaning Rock Company (Mr R. A. Mathewson) reports that the pontoons of the dredge will be completed within six weeks' time, and that the whole of the machinery is completed, and will be shipped to Dunedin at once by the Clyde Engineering Company.

The return from the Golden Run pipes is 420z. Messrs Knewstubb Bros, report that the erection of the company's dredge is nearly completed, and they expect to be finished early in January. THE WEEK'S DREDGING RETURNS. During the week ended Saturday, December (22, returns were reported from the following dredges:— Oz ivit gr Earnscieucrli No. 2, Alexandra (90 hours) ? 78 1G 0 Hartley and Riley, Cromwell (5 days) 58 0 0 Alexnmtni. Eureka, Alexandra ..57 0 0 Golden Goto. Miller's Flat (G dnys) 54 0 0 Golden Beach, Alexandra (125 hours) .. 53 13 7 Magnetic, Cromwell (3 days) .. ..50 0 0 Gold Queen, Dumbarton Rock (102 hours) 47 16 0 Moiyncu:-: Hydraulic, Alexandra (5 dnys) 40 17 21 Ma tan, Clyde 40 0 0 Chnrlton Creole, near Gore (5 days) 30 0 0 Golden Treasure, Miller's Flat ..28 6 0 Centra! Mataura, Mntaura (96 hours) 22 5 0 New Alexandra, Alexandra (160 • hours) 20 15 0 Waimumu Queen, near Gore (123 hours) .. .. 19 0 0 Waimumu Central, near Gore (12G hours) IS 12 0 Nevis, N'cvis River (116 hours) .. IS 10- 0 Clyde, Alexandra. IS 10 0 Earnscleugh No. 3, Alexandra .. 17 14 0 Morning Star, M.inuherikia (130 hours .. .. ' 1G 0 0 Chatto deck, Munuherikia .... 15 15 0 Junction .Electric, Cromwel! (I days) 14 11 0 Monuherikia, Alexandra 14 3 0 Lawrence, Tuapcka Flat 13 7 0 Chicago, Alexandra (130 hours) .. 11 13 0 Wainnmm Extended, near Gore (127 hours) 11 7 0 Paul's Bench, Beaumont 10 It 0 Jnrh Valley, nenr Palmerston ..' .. 9 5 0 RicharrlsV.' Beach, Cromwell (48 hours) fi 15 C Unity, Clyde '. .. .. 5 0 0 Vincent, Clyde (125 hours) .... 4 0 0 Total 801 5 10 OTAGO STOCK EXCHANGE. Sales were effected at the follow-in? premiums on Saturday: .Pactolus No. 2. 2s Gd; Victory, Ss Od. Sales also took place, at the following prices:—Alpine Consols. £2 C>? 3d; Ford's Creek, 2Gs 3d; Galvanic, 355; Gold Queen 325; Groat Central, 365; Halfway House, ,i 25s Gd. The following are Saturday's quotations: — Ahsinra River-Buyers'Gd.' sellers Is p. Aldinga—Buyers 5s fld, sellers Gs p. Alexandra Lead—Sellers Ids. " ' "' Alpine Consols?— Buyers £2 'h. Gd. sellers £2 os 3d. Alpine No. 2—Buyers £2 2s. sellers £2 4s Gd. Arrow Junction—Buyers £1 10s, sellers £1 11s. Boundary Creek—Buyers £1 4s, sellers JEI us 3d. Cairnmuir— Buyers £1 12s Gd, sellers £1 14s 3dCaledonia—Buyers 3s Gd, sellers 4s 3d p. Central Electric—Buyers £3 11s Cd, sellers £1. Charlton Creek—Sellers £1 19s. Crown Diamonds—Buyers par, sellers 9d p. Davis Bend-Sellers 4s p. Dobson No. 2—Buyers £1 10s 3d, sellers £1 lls Gd. Electric—Buyers £2 7s, sellers £2 7s 9d. .Electric Extended—Buyers £2 2s Gd, sellers £2 4s. Erickson's Reward—Buyers 7s, sellers 7s Gd p Extended Fourteen-mile Beach—Sellers 2s Gd PFirst Chance—Sellers £1 Ds. Ford's Creek-Buyers £1 6s, sellers £1 Gs Gd. Fourteen-mile Beach—Buyers £1 14s, sellers £1 16s. Galvanic—Buyers £1 14s 6d, sellers £1 lGs. Gentle Annie—Buyers £2 Cs Gd, sellers £2 7s. Gibbston—Buyers' ls dis. Gold King—Buyers 2s Gd dis, sellers par. Gold Queen—Buyers £1 lls 6d, sellers £1 12s 6d. Golden Banner—Sellers Is p. Golden Beach—Buyers £1 2s"3d. sellers £1 ss. Golden Bed—Buyers £1 7s, sellers £1 7s Od. Golden Falls-Sellers £1 4s. Golden Gate—Buyers £6 10s. Golden Link—Sellers 10s. Golden Run—Buyers £2 7s, sellers £2 Ss Cd. Grand Junction—Buyers 7s 3d, sellers 7s Od Great Central—Buyers £1 15s, sellers £1 17s Gd. Great Lead—Sellers Is p. Great Woodstock—Sellers Is p. Greenstone—Buyers 3s, sellers 4s Gd p. Greenstone Creek—Buyers £1 ]4s, sellers £1 18s. Grey River Consolidated—Buyers 4s- Gd, sellers 5s Gd p. Halfway House—Buyers £2 sa, sellers £2 5s Gd. Hartley and Riley—Buyers £G 19s, sellers £7 0s Gd. Hokitika. Extended—Sellers Is Gd p. Hokitika River—Buyers 14s, sellers 15s Gd p. Junction Electric—Buyers £1 Gs, sellers £1 10s. Kawarau Bridge—Buyers 3s, sellers 3s 9d p. Kelly and Casey—Buyers £1 13s 3d, sellers £1 14s. Leaning Rock—Sellers 3s 9d dis. Leviathan—Buyers £2 3s, sellers £2 7s 6d. Magnetic—Buyers £1 lls 9d, sellers £1 12s 6d. Majestic—Buyers £1 3s, sellers £1 7s Gd. Maori King—Buyers Is, sellers 2s Gd p. Marau—Sellers £3 12s Gd. Meg and Annie-Sellers £3 10s. Merrimac—Buyers £1 lGs, sellers £1 IGs 9d. Moa Flat—Buyers ISs Gd, sellers £1 Is. Mokoia—Buyers £1 7s, sellers £1 9s. Nelson Creek—Buyers £2 15s. No Town Creek—Buyers 7s, sellers 7s Gd p. I\"o Town No. 2—Buyers Is dis, sellers par. North Beach—Buyers 3s Gd p. Orwell Creek—Buyers 5s p. Pactolus No. 2—Buyers 2s, sellers 4s p. Reeves Proprietary—Buyers £1 10s, sellers £1 11;. Hichards's Beach—Buyers £1 Is, sellers £1 3s. Royal Maori—Sellers Is 9d p. Ruby—Sellers Gs dis. Sailor's Bend—Buyers £1 18s, sellers £2 Is. Second Magnetic—Buyers £1 lls, sellers £1 12s 6d. Teremakau—Buyers 3d dis, sellers 3d p. Three-mile Greenstone—Buyers £1 Gs Gd, sellers £1 9s Gd. Tuapeka—Buyers £1 Gs 6d, sellers £1 10s. Upper Magnetic—Buyers £1 15s 6d, sellers £1 18s. Victory—Buyers Ss, sellers 9s p. Vincent—Buyers £2. Vincent Extended—Buyers £2 4s, sellers £2 Gs. Wai puna—Buyers £1 12s, sellers £1 Us Gd. Watterson's Consols-Sellers Is p. Wareatea—Buyers 4s, sellers Gs p. THE EQUITABLE STOCK EXCHANGE report as follows : — Sales.—Caledonia, 4s p; Davis Bend, 5s p; Electric, 475; Electric Extended, 425; Ford's Creek, 25s 6d; Gentle Annie, 465; Grey River, Sss, 88s; Grey River Consolidated, 4s 9d p; Leviathan, 44s Gd; Orwell Creek, 4s 3d p; Pactolus No. 2, 2s Gd p; Reeves Proprietary, 31s Gd, 325, 32s 9d; Upper Magnetic, 34s Gd. Buyers.—Al, Is Gd p; Alpine. Consols, 403 6d; Bannockburn Creek, 12 3 ; Bendigo, 4s Gd p; Boundary- Creek, 23s Gd; Central Eloctric, 70s; Central Matnura, Is dis; Davis Bend, 5s p; Galvanic, 32s Gd; Gold Queen, 325; Golden Banner, Gd dis; Golden Bed, 25s Gd; Golden River, Is 6d p; Kawarau Bridge, 2s Gd p; Magnetic, 31s Gd; Maori King, par; Orwell Creek, 4s 3d p ; Reeves Proprietary, 32s ; Sixteen-mile Beach, 15s Gd. Sellers.—Ahaura River, Is p; Bannockburn Creek, 17s Gd; Bendigo, Gs p; Bignell's, par; Blackwater, Is 6d p; Blue Duck, par; Boundary Creek, 24s Gd; Broad Creek, Gd dis; Cairnmuir, 3os; Caledonia, 4s 6d p; Central Electric, 755; Criffel Lead, Is dis; Dart River, Is p; Davis Bend, Gs p; Duke of 'Wellington, la p; Eldorado, par; Electric Extended, 435; First Chance, 30s; Ford's Creek. 275;" Galvanic, 355; Garibaldi, par; Garvey Burn, Gd p; Gibb's Beach, 19s; Gold Queen, 38s; Golden Banner, par; Golden Bed, 275; Gold Chain, 6d dis; Golden Reward, Is p; Golden Ripple, 6d dis; Golden River, 2s p; Golden Vein, Gd p; Greenstone, 3s 9d \>; Grey River Consolidated, 5s Gd p; Junction Electric, 29s ; Kawarau Bridge, 4s p; Magnetic, 35p; Maori King, Is Gd p; Merrimac, 38s; Mokoia, 28s; Orwell Creek, 5s p; Reeves Proprietary, 3ns; Remarjtables, Is p; Roxburgh Lead, par; Second Magnetic, 335; Sixteen-mile Beach, 17s Gd; Victory, 9s Gd p; Waikaka Forks, 12s; Waiora, 3d p; Willoughby Cardrona, par; Yellowstone, Gd p. NOTES FROM ALEXANDRA. (From Our Owx CoiuuisroxnEXT.) ALEXANDRA, December 22 The Molyneux is Gft above normal, and fallingvery slowly now that the 'fresh is over. Most of the dredges will be shut down during the holidays, and dredging news will therefore be slack. THE MACETOWN REEFS. (Fkom Our Own Corresspondent.) ARROWTOWN, December 21. ' The Glenrock Company cleaned up for December, and obtained 107oz smelted gold from 125 tons crushed. THE WEST COAST. (From Ouh Own Correspondent.) GREYMOUTH, December 23. The Grey River return for the week was ].3Goz (a Press Association message makes it 1460z). It was expected that much more would be obtained. The directors were sanguine of between 180oz and 200oz, but the dredge was not full time on the bottom. The return was late coming to hand, and it wns not known till nearly 10 o'clock, the work of dredging being carried on till a late hour. This dredge will most probably not resume work till after the holidays, though it has not been definitely decided to stop operations. The Waipuna dredge return will be known on Monday.

No returns so far are available from the Nelson Creek, Ford's Creek, or Leviathan. The latter is experiencing a deal of difficulty in saving the gold, which is very fine. Old and experienced miners who worked in the locality are of opinion a great deal of it is being lost. The Nelson Creek dredge washes up on Monday. It is said that about 3Uoz is expected, but that is mere conjecture. The return from the Kirwan's Reward mine, Rpeiton, is 5310z lldwt retorted gold from 61S tons stone. The Britannia mine, Westport, cleaned up on Saturday 250z retorted gold from 1G tons stone. NOTES FROM THE MINES RECORD. (From Our, Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 23. I A report has been received from the manager of the Government water races at Naseby in reference to the sluck'e and tailings from" the Garibaldi diggings, which it. was stated, in a petition to Parliament, flowed down the Gimmerbum Creel; and damaged the settlers' lands. As the result of tho report Mr Herdmau, solicitor. Naseby, who recently communicated with the department on bohaff of Mr Brown,- has been informed that the Government is unable to interfere in the matter'in dispute between the farmers and Mr Brown. j The Mines Record states that assistance towards the development of gold and scheelite reefs at Mount Hiehloy, in Otago, has been applied for by Mr' Robert Cockerell, of South' Duuedin, who has been informed that the Government have no funds at their disposal from which assistance can be granted for the develonment of private mining properties. Mr Cockerel! states that he and his two sons have been vroispoctin? for the last 11 months, and ; that they have discovered several largo reefs I vpiyhig from Oft tn ?Oft in width, carrying pa : able prospects of both gold and scheelite, but i owing to the -CToat nm on dredging it is difficult to obtain ill? rmcessary capital for develop-

Mr James Bwltie, of Goto, who objected to I he. grant oi a license by the Commissioner of frown Lard? at Invc"-cnrgill to Mc^rs Wallis Bros, to lake v;n.tor from a rwl which runs through his pronerfv in the Waikfika Vallcv l«s been informal that as he h.-,, . ; ive» notice n! appeal against tlw decision of the commissioner, thn nncs'tinr. of grantiiw tlie license to Me<^rs Wallis Bros1, must await the decision of the -miri-.

Mv M'Ka.v, r; O v-rnment geologist, bo, como to tho conclusion that the -optvofcum nil found in Deen frnek. nrar Lake Bninnnr. b from tho Ir.wcr division of Ihe tertiary rocks This con tains considerable Quantities of carbonaceous matter, the result of the broakinv up of cnal sonras that formed part of the next older formation, the cretunioiis or con! formation of the west const of (he South Island, and to this source ihe oil may reasonably be referred. OUR WESTPORT LETTER. I (From Our Own ConHEsroxTiiwr.) WESTPORT, Dpconiber "0 A great deal of interest is now bein« evinced in the dredges soon to start operations The Grey Rivei return of Ifiloz has made a sound impression all ron-icl, and has convinced many who have hitherto bpen credulous that the West Coast will eventually eclipse Otaeo as a dredging field, not perhaps competing with the very high returns got l.;y tb» Hartley" and Eiley and other dredges, but for all-round steady returns. I The Reeves Proprietary dredge has clore very well, considering ihe wash is rather tip-lit and the dredge only just beginning to net a face on The Mokoia drrdgc has been rnWl considerably, ancl is now being got ready, to be slid into the water. This dredge will very soon restore confidence, ancl bring back the'shares to a respectable premium.

The Roeklands dredge looks very well indeed, and will be a success, I feel sure, as good gold has been got near her.

The Four Rivers Plain dredge is now getting near her own ground, and will open out properly in a few days. I consider it a big mistake building dredges on other claims for the sake of avoiding making a suitable excavation.

Some corresnondence has lately been npnearing in your columns re the "Wareatea and Fairdown claims. In YTcstport nothing is heard of such rumours. To-day I again went out to the claims with two Dirnedin gentlemen, and the prospects they obtained were quite beyond expectation. In one dish tried, taken from solid wash, about lgr of gold was ?ot, and then a considerable amount was lost in panning off. It is not a difficult matter to convince anyone who takes the trouble to visit these claims of their richness. However, in the long run. fetters cannot make any difference, as the gold is there, and the wash is a splendid sample. Tons of it are lying open to view, which the old miners have tunnelled ant.

Tenders are being called for the pontoons of the Warer.tea dredge, and the machinery will be ready for shipment about the end of the month.

The Island Creek dredge is being pushed on now. The ladder is in place waiting for the top tumbler to arrive, when the buckets will be fixed. Mr Pouplewell, the dredgemaster, arrived by the Haupiri, and, in company with Mr Sligo, visited the claim. Little comment is necessary as to the result of this dredge. The returns will tell bettor than anything, and soon run the adjoining companies' shares to a, good premium. In srjeaking to a shareholder lately I mentioned the rumours afloat, and asked him his opinion. He said he never bothered about them, as his father worked close by 2S years ago, and made as high as £8 a week with a cradle.

Mr Baldwin is busily engaged boring the "" rnf. mangaroa claim. Further up this stream some splendid returns of coarse gold were got, but opinions vary. Many think the present channel is of late formation, and that" the older bed lies 6ver towards Rapid Creek, several shafts put down there showing similar wash. Mr Sligo has finished boring the Triumph claim, and the directors will doubtless be anxious to know the results. This claim lies almost in line with the Wet Lead, but divided from it by Conway's Freehold, and extends northward to the mouth of the Waveateci River. In this claim the gold has been left by the sea. in leads which occur for some distance inland. Afterwards the conditions alter, and the gold has been distributed by the breaking down of the terraces as well as the action of the sea. Further on from the Triumph claim is what is known as the Stony Lead, which lies also close to the beach. But the difference is that it consists of gravel instead of sand, and good prospects are to be got there, right on as far as Granity Creek. I fully expect soon to hear more of the Karamea district. There are a few good claims there, but owing to their isolation "little is heard of them. The dredges about to start should, however, inspire confidence in this district.