MINING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16277, 9 January 1915, Page 10

MINING.

The Olrijr drctlgo resumed operations on Monday morning. A discovery, which promises to bo of some iniporttinco, haa boon made by James Fitzgerald, a prospector, near llie old Devonshire lend, south-east of Buninyong, Victoria. This was a reef which had been narrowly missed by another prospector, who had sunk a shaft within 6in of it, and abandoned it. The roof is 6ft from the surface, and Iras been opened up to a width of 2ft bin, though the western wall has not been reached. A prospect washed yielded over ldwt of shotty gold, and a score or rnoro of specimens. The Brute Gokl Dredging Company's dredgo ut Glenore, and also Cameron's dredge, have recommenced work after the holidays. Tho former dredgo is being removed to another portion of tho claim. Thie operation, it is anticipated, will occupy about a. month, and in tho meantimo dredging is only being carried on to a sufficient depth to float tho pontoons. The, first half-yearly report of the South Australian Uil Wells Co. suites that Dr Herbert Basedow, B.Sc., in company -with tho directors, had inspected the country between Kingston and Mount Gambier, and had unhesitatingly recommended that that area be prospected for oil by drilling, stating also that, "should tho preliminary efforts (drilling) -which are, in moro than one respect, fully justified, bo successful, the immensity of the great tertiary system in South Australia would initiate a growing industry that might rival thoso of some of tho more important oilfields of tho world." Encouraged by this favourable report, the directors have appointed Mr IL Charlton Dod, B.Sc, of the California University, to tho position of field superintendent, and Mr Dod has engaged an American driller of considerable experience, and at dato of his report was in treaty with another, so that when operations commenco an experienced man ■will bo availablo to take chargo of each shift A standard California deep oil well boring plant, capable of drilling to 5000 ft, has been pur chased, and is being delivered; meantime, tho derrick is being erected, and boring is expected to commenco early this year. Tho first bore will go down between Beachport and Robe. The company has also increased the area over which it has boring rights from 36,000 to 200,0U& acres. The expenditure for last year amounted to £3015, which includes £810 for brokerage and £589 for travelling expenses, and cash at banks stands at £6993. NOTES FROM CROMWELL. (Fbom Ocb Own Corbkspondent.) CROMWELL, January 8. All tho dredges and sluicing claims have resumed work after tho holidays. Several of tho dredges aro engaged in repairs, including the Rise and iShine No. 1, the Electric No. 1, and the Ferry Company. Tho two former will not occupy any groat time. The Ferry Company a private concern — has been working steadily in the oast bank of the Clutha River, below the Lowburn punt, and although the results aro not made public it was tho general opinion that very payable returns -were being won. This appears to bo substantiated by the fact that extensiro alterations to tho machinery are now to be made. The dredgo is to bo fitted with a bucket elevator in place of the centrifugal one hitherto in use. Reports are in circulation that a number of men will shortly be engaged in the Carrick mines, where work has been practically at a standstill for some time. With a continuance of the abundant water supply availablo early in tho season the Nevis field is likely to givo some handsome yields within the next few months. THE WEST COAST. (Fbom Odb Own Cobbespondent.) GREYMOUTH, January 8. The Reefton crushing returns and the cost for December aro as follow: — Progress.—Crushed 2650 tons, yielding 5570z of gold, valued at £2277; cyanided 1760 tons, yielding 160oz, valued at £555. The estimated value of the eulphurettcs is £440. Tho costs per ton were: —Mining, lis lid; milling. 3s 2d; general expenses and bullion charges, 2s 6d. Wealth of Nations.—Crushed 2100 tons, 5310z of • gold, valued at £2175; cyanided 1200 tons.. yielding 190oz, valued at £757. The estimated value of the sulphurettes is £103. The cost per ton were-: —Mining,, 12s sd; milling, 3s 4d; general expenses and bullion charges, 2s Bd. Blackwater Mines.—Crushed 3595 tons, yielding 13370z of gold, valued at £5675; cyanided, 2200 tons, yielding 2230z, valued at £845. The estimated value of tho sulphurettes is £361. Tho costs per ton were:—Mining, 15s 8d; milling, 2s 9d; general exwmses and bullion charges, 3s 4d. '