SOUTH AFRICAN LETTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19784, 8 May 1926, Page 12

SOUTH AFRICAN LETTER.

EXCITEMENT IN MINING. UNCERTAIN CROP CONDITIONS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) PIETERMARITZBURG, March 4. The news that the platinum mine on the Cnvervvacht farm in the Lvdeaburg district has declared its first output is the outstanding event in the Transvaal mining world just now. 'The mine is the properly of the Transvaal Consolidated Land and Exploration Company (Limited), which company seems to be in for a good time. The pilot plant at Onverwacht was started in January last, and at tho end of the month had crushed in 18 days ,56 7 tons of dunite ore. Tho initial consignment of 209 ounces of platinoid “sponge”—approximately 60 per cent of the production—from tho above tonnage, estimated to contain 156 ounces of platinum and allied metals has been desnatched to London for refining and realisation. It has been estimated that the total output from tho 567 tons of ore would approximately amount to 260 ounces of platinum and allied metals. At current quotations, this represents a value of over £6.000, .which is regarded as exceedingly satisfactory. So has been launched what may ultimately prove to be another great mining industry in this fortunate country. Other plants will be started crushing shortly. Indeed, it is reported. for what the reports may be worth, that, fresh finds of platinum are being made almost daily in the western Transvaal. BIGGEST ELECTRIC HOIST. What is believed to be the biggest electric hoist in the world, and certainly it is tho biggest yet installed on the Eitwatorsrand, is about to be built- by Metropolitan Vickers (Limited) for erection on the City Deep Mine, Johannesburg. It will wind from a depth of 4500 feet a load of 10 tons of rock. It is primarily designed to pull rock, and the winding time (excluding loading) is 100 seconds, a speed of from 80 to 109 miles an hour. THE COMING MAIZE CROP. There is naturally much uncertainty as to what the volume will be of tho next maize crop. It is calculated that we shall want about eight million bags in order to get through to the reaping of 1527 without importing. Of the twenty-four million bags realised last season, eleven millions have been exported, or will be. Local consumption on the average of the last five years requires 10,500,000 bar leaving a surplus of two and a-half million bags. Owing to the prolonged drought, crop reports are on the gloomy side. One minor encouraging sign, however, is that a considerable number of farmers have actually heeded the warnings distributed by the Economic Division, and have kept a substantial portion of their maize as winter provision. SUGAR. The droughty conditions of January gave rise to considerable anxiety amongst cane growers. January was an extraordinarily dry month, and the December rainfall was also much below the rain average. Fortunately, the crop had a good start, and with the copious rainfall of the spring months, the crops have been kept going. The total output of sugar during the present crushing season will probablv reach 225,000. or, apnroxiniately, 10,000 tons more than last year. Tho declared price for No. 1 refined sugar, after allowing for tho £1 per ton excise, is £2O 14s 4cl per ton. The working agreement between the sugar planters and the millers, by which the sugar of Natal has been controlled by the milling companies, is shortly to terminate. On this topic I shall write more fully later. It is understood that from' Mav ?1 the sugar arrangement wilt entirely lapse and tho market for South African sugar will be quite free from control. WOOL. There has been considerable activity in the wool market at Port Elizabeth, large quantities changing hands at satisfactory prices. The long wool season is practically over. At the latest municipal catalogue sale at Port Elizabeth Borne 2000 hales were offered, comprising both long and short wools. There was a good all-round demand. Current quotations:—Super Karoo, 3iinch and over, 17d to 20d; average Karoo, 12 months, 16d to 19d; super grassvelds, Scinch and over, ISd to 22d; good average. 12 months combing, 17s to 19d; average combine 10 to 12 months, 14d to 17d; Free State, good, 12 months. 17d to 19d.