MINING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12980, 23 May 1904, Page 6

MINING.

The secretary of the Aklmga Gold Dredging Company reports a return of 230z 13dwt for 130 hours! werk on the left-hand section of the face. Tlio -secretory of the Gvidcn G.nie GoW Dredging Company reports a: return.of 2507. 2dwt for a week's' work. • The dre'dgomastcr reports tiiat the- river was steady. The secretaiy of the Ouvawim Company tc-j ports a return of 1330z JOdwt from sluicing for tho four weeks ending- the 14th illst. Tho muster of tho Moonlight dredge reports that ho washed up for a return of 19oz 12dwi. Both hangers broke on Friday night last. There w«3 r.o return from the Matau dredge last week, as she is at present under repair. The secretary/of Ihe Golden United Gold Dredging Company reports a return, of 12oz 3dwl for 145 hours', work. VThe dredgemaster wired to tho effect that he did not bottom all last week, aiid that he would not be bottoming this week eilhor, but would do so the following week. . ■ ,A return of 30oz was obtained from tho washup ordlio Clyde dredge last week. Tho dredgemaster states that ho was troubled with drift nil the waek. A return of looz is reported front the Stafford Wnimca dredge (West Coast) for 101 hours' work. Tho .timber encountered was very troublesome. ■ „

The master of- the Three-mile (Greenstone Creek) 'dredge reports that ho washed up for a return of 38oz for 110 hours' work. Thu dredge could not bottom on port of the face. ■ There was no wash-up on. tho Alontc Ohristo dredge last week. The dredge bottomed on a' hard reuf on Friday. Tho secretary of the Earnsoleugh Gold Hoid Dredging Company reports a return of 470z lOdivl from (lie Xo. 2 dredge for 130 hours' work. There.was no wi3h-up on tho No. 1 dredge, work only being carried on for three days of ihe week. The return of 230z from ilia Central Char!ion dredge was obtained from sections one, iwo, and three. . The secretary of iiie Ei;c ai'd. Shine Cold Dredging Company reports tho following ieturns:—Ko. 1 dredge, OGO7, for 12S hours' work; No. 2 dredge, 12o?, for the week. The roaster of tho Xo. 1 dredge wired that iho prospects were good and the dredge was running steadily. Tlie prospect on iho No. 2 drodgo were poor. The master of the North Bcaclt dredge reports that.-iie obtained 360?. 13dwt ama.gnm for 89 hours' work. Thu dredge was stopped for repairs on 'Wednesday 1a5. , ., so the dredgemaster did not retort last 'week. The secretary of the Otigo Cold Dredging Company leports a rctuni cf'4So7. from the No. 2 ill-edge for a week's work. The master of the No. 1 dredge, reports that lie did not wash up last week, and that ho was opening ■out. Tho master of tho Golden Bun Company's dredge, wired on Saurday that ho commenced dredging on Friday, and everything woe working well. \ llr E. Roberts, who was at Miller's Flat .'superintending the putting on of the silt elevator, returned to Dunedin on Saturday,■' nml -reports tli.it everything was working. very satisfactorily on the dredge on vFriday, . . ' ' The Voltaic dredge was shifted up to a spot marked by some bUicgnrns at 5.30 p.m. on Monday, 10th inst., and on Tuesday both headlines were run out and dredging was started at "4 p.m. ! Fair dredging ground was struck rjght away, tlie wash being 4ft or 5(1 in depth, and carrying a lot of black sand and stones, with In little gold. There was a good chance of dropping on gp!d before long judging by the trash, miless all covered with boulders. Most of our readers connected wth the dredging industry will rigret to learn of the very serious illness bE Jlr W. Crookston, who has for many years been connected with gold dredging in Otogo and or. tho West Coast. Mr Crookston, who has for several weeks been an iiitnato.bt a private hospita( in Dunedin, is in a. rather critical condition.

THE WEEK'S CREDGING RETURNS. During tho week ended Saturday, May 21, returns wero reported from the following dredges:— Oz. drct. gr. First Cbance, below Alexandra, week 15G 0 0 Electric No. 2, Cromwell, wk.. 147 1 0 Cromwell No. S, Cromwell, 131hrs ■ .. .. ;.. 109 2-0 Jlanuherikia, Alexandra, l|Ohra ; 95. M 0 . Cromwell No. .1, Cromwell, ISolirs G5 8 0 Lady Roxburgh, Roxburgh, wk.. fil 0 0 Electric Xo. 1, Cromwell, 137hrs GO 2 0 New Halfway House, above CJyrlc, 8 days .. .. ' 5G 18 3 Rise and Shine. No.' 1, Upper Clutha, 12GhW .. : - 5G 0 0 Otago No. 2, Island Block, week 43 0 0 Earnsclcugli" No. 2, Alexandra, ' 130hrs 47 10 0 Junction Electric No. 1, Cromwell, JQ-ihrs 47 9 0 Unity, Clyde, week 40 10 0 Alpine No. 2, Cromwell, 2O7hrs 39 11 G Golden Bed, Miller's Plat, 128hrs 33 3 0 Kttrick, Roxburgh, 123hrs „ 36 10 0 Hosaoy's, Waiknia, 13Ghrs .. 3G 1 0 Olrig, Mamiherikia, H7hrs .. 35 15 -J New Alpino Consols, Cromwell, 132 lire .. .'. .. 35 14 0 New Perseverance No. 2, Alexandra, 130hra 35 0 0. Sandy Point, Alexandra, lOohrs 34 0 0 Rising Sun, Upper Chitba, U4hra 32 3 0 Sneddon's ' Freehold,' Waikaka, week 31 0 O Clyde, Alexandra, week .... 30 0 0 Waikaka Syndicate, AVaiknka, 10 days .. .. ~ 20 0 0 Bunslan Lead, Alexandra, week 28 7 0 Waikaka United No. 1, 'IVeiktkii, ' Ulhrs ... 27 O. 0 Junction Electric No. 2, Cromwell, 138hra ...'.'.... 2G 10 0 Golden Gate, Miller'e Plat, wk 25 2 0 Wnikaka United No. 2, Waikaka, 12Glirs 24 14 0 Golden Treasure, Miller's Flat, week 21.10 .0 Island Block, Beaumont, 1721irs 23 12 O Upper Waipori, Waipori, 139hrs 23 O 0 Central Cliarlton, nr Gore, 135hrs 23 0 0 Nugent Wood, Waikaia, week .. 23 0 0 Gorryowen, Waikaia, 130hrs .. 22 5 0 Waikaka Queen, Waiknto, I2Bhrs 21 2 0 MacCbarlton, nr Gore, 129hrs .. 20 i 0 Enterprise No. 1, Alexandra, 133hrs A 19 7 0 lloyal Waimurau, near Mataura, * 125hrs 38 12 0 Alexandra Lead, Alexandra, 127hrs .. .. :■. .. .. .. 17 11 0 liol"neux Kohiuoor, Roxburgh, idOhrs .: 15 3 18 New Prince Arthur, Upper Shotover, week 14 0 0 Hartley and Riley, Cromwell ~ 23 0 0 Kovival, Clutha, I2Bhrs .... 12 0 0 liiso and Shine No. 2, Upper Clutha, week .. .. '.. .. 12 0 0 New Golden Beach, Alexandra, 120hrs 11 12 0 Inchdale, nr Palraerston, I33hra 10 9 0 Waimumu, nr Mataura,.s9hrs.. 10 0 0 Central Jlataura, nr Gore, 133hra 9 14 0 Chicago, Alexandra, 125hrs .. 8 918 Happy Valley, Tuapeka Plat, 42hrs 7 18 0 Total 1900 0 1

The West Coast, Janiieson's Reward, wcok .. ~ 52 11 0 Bignell's No Town, 122hrs .. 52 10 0 Stony and Atosquilo Leads, wk 43 i 0 Pactolus No. 2, week .... 38 7 0 Blackwater Kiver, 12Shrs .. .. 37 14 0 North Beach,'S9hrs (amalgam).. 3D 13 0 Pactolus No. 1, wcok .... 29 a 0 Mokoia, iveek .. .. ~ .. 28 0 0 Callaghan's 'Creek, llShra .. 26 0 0 Aldiuga, 130hrs 23 13 0 Moonlight; week , ... 19 12 0 No Town Creek, 127hrs .... 18 0 0 Thrce-niilo (Greenstone Creek), . llOhrs 18 0 0 Greenstone Creek, 126hra .. 16 4 0 Welcome, 118hrg ~ 15 0 0 Stafford Waiinea, lOlhra .. 15 0 0 Keeves's Proprietary No. 1, llohrs .. .. ; '.. 13 G "0 Ooldcn United, 145hrs .... 12 3 0 Rceves's Proprietary No. 2, MOhta „ „ .. 716 0 Total 4G6 8 0 DUNEDIN STOCK EXCHANGE. Though no phenomenal returns havo been announced for the past week, - quite a number of payable-ones appear among tWlist, at the head of vrliicb. is that of 1560z from the First", Chance dredge,' closely followed by tho Electric Jfo. 2 rtrecfee with 117oz. Excellent returns wero also obtained by both, of tho.Croinwell Company's dredges, No. 2 dredge winning 109oz and tho No. 1 G3oz. Although theae snares wero placed on the market oh Suturday there was no response from buyers. First Chunoe shares, notwithstanding tho improved return, rlicl not show anything like a marked riso, and the market at thy close disclosed a weakening tendency. Hartley and Hileys were firmer, but Electrics were quoted on a. quiet market, and Mauuherikins were easier, probably owing to the falling of! in the return. Tho height of tho river at Alexandra on Saturday morning was 4ft lin above tlio normal mark, the sumo level as on the previous day. Bignell's No Town shares were firm; buyers offering 19s 3di, and sellers closing at 20s. A parcel of Cromwell snares was placed on tho market at 37s Cd without disclosing any buyers. There- was no change in Elcclfics, but JFirst Chances wero firmer, due no doiibs to tho excellent return from tho dredge for last week, and very fair attention was aocorded them by buyers.' The market, however, closed with an easing tendency, as three sales took place at 18s, and a closing ono at 17s 9d. Additional shares were placed on the market at 18s, but buyers only offered 17s 6d. An iniprovement was noticeable in Hartley and Kileys, and a parcel was taken up at Gls Gd, with further buyers at the same price, and sellers at 625. Junction Electrics were firm at recent rates, but Jlamiherikias wcro procurable at. a price Gd lower than that asked on Friday, but there were apparently no buyers in the mnrket. New Bendigoes were much firmer, a parcel being quitted iit lGs, with inquiry for more at a similar price, but sellers asked a shade higher price. Slightly better demand was made for Rise and Shines, but tho price asked by sellers was the same as that which lias been ruling for tho past few days. Sandy Points were placed on offer at recent rates without response from buyers, and Tuapekas wero easier, while Unitys remained firm. Sales were niado on Saturday at the following prices .--First Chance, 18s and 173 Srt; Hartley and Kiley, 61s Gd; New Bendigo, 16s. The following arc Saturday's quotations, subject to the usual brokerage:— . Bi»nell's No Town-Buyers 193 3d, sellers £1 . Central Charlton-Buyers 99 Gd. Cromwell-Sellers £X 17s Gd. Bunstan Lead—Sellers 11s. Electric—Buyers £110s, sellers £113s Gd. Ettrick-Buycrs Gs 3d, sellers Bs. First Chance—Buyers 17s Gd, sellers 183. . Golden Bed—Sellers 11s. - • • • Golden Run—Buyers £1 103, sellers £1 10s Gd. Hartley and Hilcy—Buyers £3 Is Cd, sellers £3 2s. Hcssoy's—Sellers ft Gs. Junction Electric—Buyers Gs 3d, sellers 63 Gd Lady Roxburgh (paid)— Sellers 18s. Lady Roxburgh (contrib.)—Buyers Is 6a , ais. Manuherikia-Sellers JE2 9s Gd. Mokoia—Sellers 12s. Nelson Creek—Buyers £1 13s. New Bendigo-Buyers 163, sellers lCs 3d. New Fourtccn-raile Beach—Buyers 18s, seller? 18s Gd p. New Halfway House—Buyers 83 Gd, sellers 10s. New Prince Arthur—Buyers 3s, sellers Gs. New Roxburgh Jubilee (paid)— Sellers £1 Bs. New Roxburgh Jubilee (coutrib.)—Buyers ss, sellers ]0s p. ' Itise and Shine—Buyers £1 -Is od, sellers £1 5a Gd. J Sandy Point (ex div.)— Sellers £1 3s 6d. Tuapckar-Buycrs Is, eollors 2s 3d. Unity—Buyers Gs 9d, sellers 7s. INVESTMENT STOCKS. National Bank—Buyers £4 9s, sellers £4 12s Gd. Bnnlt of New Zealand-Buyers £4 10s. Cromwell and Bannockburn—Buyers 10s, sellers IGs. Trustees Executors-Sellers £2 10s. Mosgiel Woollen—Buyers £3 IGs, sellers £3 18s.

NOTES FROM CROMWELL. I.Fkom Our Own Correspondent.) CROMWELL, May 21. The weather is fine, and ibe liver is falling steadily. The Electric No. 2 struck a bit of worked ground in ■tbc cavly putt of the week. There is every reason to believe the dredge has good returns for the ujintcr ahead. The No. 1 dredge is on improving wash, and should soon get some good returns. Tho Cromwell No. 1 dredge has about 80yds to work to the top boundary. The Lady Ronfurly drodge got over 2lJooz on the boundary. No. 2 dredge is on a piece which tho No. 1 could not work. It is only a small bit of ground. The Hartley and Eiley dredgo is still on poor ground. The Alpine No. 2 dredgo is now nicking up the lend, and it should improve, as the Hartley and Riley dredge got very rich wash on tho boundary, about 80yds abend. Tho Rise and Shine No. 1 dredge is on improving wash. THE COAST. ■' (Fnosi Our Own Correspondent.) GREYJIOTJTH, Mny 22. The share market was almost stagnant. Jnmieson's Reward scrip is rising, and if the returns continue, will go to par. No Towns are depressed, and scarcely quotable. Biaekw:\tcr Rivers are easier. Bignells find buyers at 19s, but sellers aro holding for 20s. Greensione slock is not quoted. Tbp Pactolns Company is again engaged in litigation; this time with Donnellan .Bros., who own a claim and other mining rights aOjoiuins, and are daiminj; £2500 damages for

injuries alleged to liave been done to their property through the Paetolus Company causing deposits of tailings to turn the Kelson Creek, and thereby injuriously affecting the getway of tho Donnellans' tailings. The hearing occupied the warden from Friday forenoon till Saturday afternoon, the evidence being i mostly as to the blockage arid turning of tho stream by tlio company. Decision was reserved. The position and condition of tho Ross Day Dawn dredge is worse than wns expected, and as tho finances of tho company arc none too strong—indeed, are very straitened—the prospects arc none too bright. Some shareholders an inclined to consider liquidation almost in sight. : The Jamicson's Howard dredge got 520z Udwt for tho week, with better wash at the end of the week thnn in tho beginning. The dredgemaster expects a. bigger yield this week. The Bigncll's No Town return for tho week was 520z lOdrot. The top corner material continues to thin out'ft little, the payable wash showing no difference. The Stony Mosquito dredge obtained I3oz 4dwt for the week. The wash is much richer than the yield would indicate, but, being hard and heavy, is difficult of treatment. Tho Paetolus No. 2 dredge washed up 330z 7d\vt, and No. i dredge 290z sdwt. Both machines are upon about equal ground.: Unless the lead deflects in an extraordinary manner, much better wash must ho struck ere long. There is, however, a considerable thinning out; otherwise the two dredges would have had much hotter returns ere now. The Blackwater River dredge got 370z Udrol for 123 hours. The wash was almost the same in colour and rise,' but the run of gold was poorer. This, wns.'not expected, and shows that the lead does not come straight down the claim from the Chinamen's ground at the top boundary, but seems rather to cross the ground diagonally and at intervals, us if it had been affected by cross-currents of water. This will mean alternate runs of rich and medium ground. The worst, however, will pay well. The dredgeumster of tho Blackwater Lagoons dredge expects about 20oz. The machine is now on fair wash, resembling the River Company's ground. Tho Callaghan's Creek dredge obtained 2Goz for 118 hours. Tho smnllness of the dredge is much against the company. For her size she does well. The Aldinga, dredge got 230z 13dwJ. for tho week. The dredge is in solid ground, that wns expected to give better returns. The Moonlight Company's return ia 19oz 12dwt for tho week. There is no change to report. ' ■ The Greenstone Three-mile dredge washed up lSoz for the week. A good bit of the faco is loose drift. . Tho Greenstone Creek dredge obtained 16oz 4dwt for 12G hours. Tho wash is very deep, and tho dredge should get better gold when on the rising reef, which might be in a few days or not for a couple of months. The No Town Company's return this week of 18oz came with a. kind of shock, and pessimists nrc remarking, " I told you," Rlld reckon it looks very bad for the return cut. There is not, however, such u great deal in it, although tho poor yield has como at a rather critical point. It is hoped that it is but a poor patch, which (his wook will prove to be limited. All the same, it had an immediate effect upon shares. HEEFTON, May 21. Tho Alpine Company's mine manager reports:—"The rise in No. 12 north has been extended 20ft for the week, making a total distance of 70ft. There is r. good track with boulders of etono in it. In the atopos above the intermediate south the reef shortened 20ft, leaving two dead stopes, but the reef is making south again over them. I holed through with the rise at the north end of the stope at tho entrance end of the leof, which is going into tho footwall. It-will not go far, as I have the bottom of I did not finish filling in till Wednesday, when I started to break stone again. Tho crosscut in No. 7 has been extended l'tft, a totnl distance of 24ft. The track crossed last week had n little stone in it, but I could not'get any gold in it." i -