MINING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15825, 25 July 1913, Page 6

MINING.

A return of 9oz, 2d\vt. for 129 hours' work is reported from tie Waikaia dredge. The secretory of tlio Succees Company reports a return of 41oz for 123 hours' work. Tho seoretary of tho Mastcrton company reports a return of Boz. Bdwt. for 122 hours' work. The master of the Waikaia dredge reports that work was carried on steadily last week, the dredge making 28 yards ahead. There is no change in the wash. The six monthly balance sheet issued on tho 17th instant by the secretary of the Obig Dredging Company shmvs that during tho past six months 1720z of gold,- valued at £667 15s Ud, were won. Tho expenditure during that period amounted to £716 14s 2d. A dividend of 2s per share waß paid on 3000 preference shares. Tho Rise and Shine Company's consulting engineer reports that the work in connection with tho No. 2 dredge is ncaring completion. Heavy ironbark chafing timbers are being fitted to the ladder,,preparatory to getting it in position. The ladder has been thoroughly repaired and reinforced throughout its entire length with- additional diagonals and bulkheads. Gold saving tables of tho latest design arc being'installed, The erection of the machinery, with the exception of the elevator, is practically finished. An acetylene gas generator, capable of providing ' sufficient light for both , the machinery and tho working face, is being placed on board.

A start has been made to put up the. rise fropi the 1000 ft level in the Waiotahi mine to the point where the bore hole from the bottom of the main shaft was dscontinucd owing to tho breakage of the rods. Preparations are also in hand to continue the sinking of the shaft down to the 1000 ft. level, which work will be commenced this week.

At the May Queen Mine fair progress I has been made during the past week with I the extension of the crosscut at the 1000 ft level to intersect the Vanguard reef, a distance of 56ft having been driven to date. The faco of this drive is now passing through a good class of country, and has reached a point where the Bird-in-Hand reefs should be met with at this level. These may be met with .now nt any time. There is, however, a further distance of 240 ft to be driven to cut the Vanguard reef. The Watchman mine is being further opened up, and a main rise is being put upon the middle parallel reef above tho Sunbeam main level, so as to open up further blocks for stoping operations. This rise i 6 now up a total distance of 135 ft above the Sunbeam main level, and excellent prospects are being met with, the reef proving to be of good grade quality for the whole distance. The blocks beirwj opened up in this direction, taken in conjunction with the extensive blocks previously opened up throughout the mine, assure a steady output of payable ore for some years to keep the reduction works steadily employed after the improvements and connections are completed.

Extensive alterations and improvements to the battery recently purchased from the Day Dawn and Norfolk Company are now in hand, also the construction of a tramway fr.om the Sunbeam Creek level to the battery, a distance of about 1400 ft, which will enable the oro from the mine works to be conveyed direct to the mill for treatment at small cost. It is expected that the whole of theeo works will be completed in time for- the plant to start permanent crushing operations about October 1.